University of Maryland halts fraternity, sorority activities ‘indefinitely’

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (NewsNation) — The University of Maryland has ordered the school’s fraternities and sororities to stop throwing parties and recruiting new members following reports of unsafe activities.

In a letter sent to Greek organization leaders Friday, university officials said there’s reason to believe “multiple chapters” have been conducting activities that “have threatened the safety and well-being of members of the University community.”

As a result, the university has indefinitely suspended “new member” activities and imposed a social moratorium that prohibits chapters from hosting any events where alcohol is present.

“Failure to abide by this directive will result in disciplinary action,” officials with the university’s Division of Student Affairs wrote in the letter.

The university did not outline specific allegations in the memo but said it’s launching an investigation and encouraged chapter leaders to review the school’s hazing policy.

The order applies to the school’s 21 fraternities and 16 sororities which are members of the Inter-fraternity Council (IFC) or the Panhellenic Association (PHA).

The university’s 13 multicultural Greek organizations and its five historically Black fraternities and sororities are not included in the order, the Washington Post reported.

The decision in Maryland comes just days after the Inter-Fraternity Council at the University of Virginia (UVA) voted to temporarily suspend recruiting events for all fraternities while officials investigate hazing allegations.

A student news outlet at UVA reported that a Kappa Sigma pledge was hospitalized after falling down a staircase and hitting his head following a night of heavy drinking. The Kappa Sigma chapter has been suspended in connection to that investigation.

In October, seven fraternities at San Diego State University were placed on interim suspension for alleged student misconduct.