The suspension of Greek life activities on the University of Maryland campus sheds light on recent hate allegations, court documents show.
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office filed a memorandum Friday opposing requests by multiple UMD fraternities for temporary restraining orders against school officials in response to Greek Life’s March 1 suspension of activities. This is said to be “a ‘punishment’ for refusing admission to the university.” Provide students with First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. ”
However, the AG’s office said that while UMD is “investigating serious and persistent allegations of hazing and alcohol abuse at multiple chapters that threaten health and wellness, we are limiting the activities of some chapters in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.” and was given full authority to impose temporary restrictions.” For the safety of our students. ”
The school concluded its investigation on March 15 and lifted suspensions for most of UMD’s fraternities and sororities, but five schools are still under investigation.
University of Maryland lifts suspensions for most fraternities, sororities amid potential hazing investigation
The Maryland Attorney General’s Office filed a memorandum Friday opposing requests from multiple UMD fraternities for temporary restraining orders against school officials in response to Greek life’s March 1 suspension of activities. . (Getty Images)
The suspension began after UMD’s Office of Student Conduct (OSC) received “an anonymous report from a parent that their son was being exposed to harmful haze. , including being required to remain outdoors in the cold for several hours.” On 21, 2024, he was required to attend the University Health Center for suspected hypothermia. ”
Charges include “cleaning off-campus homes (known as ‘satellite houses’) of chapter members and mopping floors until 2:30 a.m.,” according to court filings.
University of Maryland suspends fraternities, sororities due to safety concerns
On February 27th, OSC received another anonymous email. “Several unidentified fraternities allegedly engaged in hazing activities against new members, including being beaten with paddles, burned with cigarettes and torches, and having to lie on nails. do”[b]Forced to consume non-food items (live fish, chewing tobacco, urine). I get spat on. They are also forced to clean the homes of branch members. ”
UMD received several anonymous complaints in February and March detailing allegations of severe haze. (Getty Images)
The person who sent the anonymous email also described his personal experience. “[In my experience]you are forced to participate in ‘line-ups’ where they abuse you for hours on end, make you sit on walls, do push-ups, plank, deliberately hurt yourself, and humiliate you in public. Being naked or in underwear or being physically assaulted for the purpose of giving.”
The anonymous email poster said that “one person passed out” at such an event, and fraternity members “refused” to give water to pledgers and prospective members, and were unable to do anything to help. He added that he was “forced to drink straight vodka.” “The person who lost consciousness.
UVA student hospitalized for hazing, school cancels all fraternity events
”[I]In fact, they hit him in the face with a plastic bat and poured beer on him until he woke up,” the email author wrote.
UMD on Friday lifted the suspension of Greek life activities that began March 1 following hate allegations. (Bonnie Jo Mount/The Washington Post)
On March 1, the OSC said, “The mother of a new Fraternity 2 member alleges that the chapter harassed her, including locking the new member in the basement and breaking glass on the floor for the new member to clean.” I received another anonymous message.
The OSC further reviewed data from UMD’s Health and Counseling Center and determined there was an “alarming increase in visits by IFC and PHA chapter members to both centers during February.”
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“Based on the synthesis of information received by the University as of March 1, and concerns about continued code of conduct violations related to hazing, alcohol and drug use, the OSC has determined that immediate action must be taken to prevent harm to University students. “We determined that this was justified, especially as the chapters were expected to have a number of recruiting and social events next weekend,” court documents state.
Earlier this month, the university sent letters to fraternity and sorority presidents informing them of the suspension. The letter did not state that the alleged misconduct was unambiguous, instead describing it as “activity that threatens the safety and well-being of members of the university community.”
FOX News’ Landon Mion contributed to this report.
