The University of Maryland has ordered fraternities and sororities on campus to cease social and recruitment events after the school received multiple reports of unsafe activities.
The university's decision comes after the University of Virginia suspended its Kappa Sigma chapter and all fraternity events following an alleged hazing incident last month that resulted in an injury to a student.
University of Maryland Suspends Fraternity, Sorority Events
The societies, commonly called "Greek life" on campus across the US due to their Greek alphabet initials, are social groups that choose members to be a part of a community that lives and socializes together. These groups have been the subject of multiple Hollywood films and have generated controversy due to their risky "hazing" initiation rituals.
The university released a statement saying that it suspected various Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council (PHA) chapters had been engaging in actions endangering the security and welfare of university community members.
It claimed that all fraternity and sorority life councils met in an emergency meeting on Thursday. They were informed that further misconduct allegations might lead to a cease from activities without providing any details about the alleged activities.
However, the university said further incidents were reported on Friday despite the warning. The statement claimed that the reports led to an indefinite suspension of all new member program operations "pending the results of a thorough investigation."
According to The Guardian, it stated that all PHA and IFC organizations are on a social moratorium, which prohibits the chapters from holding activities with alcohol both on and off campus.
Furthermore, the university claimed that its statement serves as a formal notice to chapter leadership instructing current members of the group to maintain "absolutely no contact" with any new or potential new members.
"This directive means that every current member of the organization must not contact any new member or prospective new member via in-person, telephone, postal mail, any electronic means (including social media), or third-party communication," the statement said.
Students Express Dissatisfaction
According to UMD's website, the Interfraternity Council comprises 21 men's fraternities, and the Panhellenic Association is composed of 16 national sororities, and about 37 fraternities and sororities will be impacted by this cease.
Some students disagree with the university's response to these claims.
"I think it's pretty dumb that they're including every single fraternity and sorority with what, one mistake," a University of Maryland student said.
Students claimed that they feel empty when walking around the campus.
Another student shared that everyone is a bit upset with the school as they feel a decline in student life and liveliness afterward. The students who spoke to WUSA9 were too nervous to speak and appear on camera.
