Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house on the campus of Northwestern University.Photo: Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty
Northwestern University has suspended the social events for multiple fraternities after two of them had alleged drugging incidents occur at their on-campus housing, according to the college newspaper.
Northwestern University’s Police Department reported the two incidents in back-to-back crime notices issued on Friday and Saturday.
Thefirst one statedthat the University “received separate reports” from individuals claiming that they were “drugged without consent while attending a gathering at 584 Lincoln St. in Evanston.”
Just one day later, the police departmentissued another notice, revealing that another individual had come forward with allegations that they were “drugged without consent at a gathering [Friday] night at 2325 Sheridan Rd. in Evanston.”
Though police did not identify who or how many people were involved, they confirmed that both reports stemmed from on-campus fraternity houses.
The Daily Northwesternlater reported the houses belonged to the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity on Lincoln Street and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity on Sheridan Road.
Fraternities on the campus of Northwestern University.Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty
Sigma Alpha Epsilon also issued a statement regarding the allegations to PEOPLE.
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The university noted that on-campus fraternity and sorority houses are alcohol-free spaces and the order will apply to members and non-fraternity members, as well as alumni.
Per theDaily Northwestern, any chapter that breaks the ban will be required to pay a $1,000 fine and be moved to associate status for the following quarter, ultimately preventing it from voting in IFC matters.
“The University has been in communication with IFC leadership, who understand the seriousness of these reports and the importance of the investigations. … Let us be clear: The health, safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority and we are taking these allegations very seriously,” university officials stated, adding that on-campus counseling and other health services would be available to any student in need.
However,the IFC page on Northwestern’s websitehas removed the name and email for both Alpha Epsilon Pi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s presidents — the only two fraternities on the list to have that information revoked.
“We will never tolerate the abhorrent, dangerous and despicable behaviors such as the ones alleged and we fully support all students who have been impacted,” Papandreou’s letter reads, in part.
In response to the recent allegations, protestors took to the streets near the frat houses on Sunday evening and demanded “Greek life has got to go!,“CBS affiliate WBBM reported.
“We need to abolish them. It starts with Northwestern, but it doesn’t end there,” one student told the outlet. “There are colleges and universities across the country that have systems in place like this, and it’s causing a lot of harm — unnecessary harm.”
When contacted in regards to the matter, a spokesperson for the University directed PEOPLE to its Sept. 25 crime notice letter.
Anyone with information about the alleged drugging incidents is asked to contact the Northwestern University Police at (847) 491-3456.
source: people.com
