University of Arizona puts its fraternities on pause amid hazing and assault allegations

The University of Arizona has frozen fraternity activities on its Tucson campus while it looks into a string of misconduct complaints.

In a letter to the Greek community, Dean of Students Chrissy Lieberman said all 21 chapters of the Interfraternity Council received notice of an immediate interim suspension. Reports identified several of the chapters under investigation, including Zeta Beta Tau, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Theta Xi and Phi Gamma Delta.

What the university says happened

The letter described alleged hazing, conditions that put students at risk and, in one instance, an alleged assault on a student. One of the most disturbing allegations involved new members reportedly being pressured to drink large amounts of alcohol and swallow live goldfish.

None of the allegations have been resolved and the university has not said how long the investigations will take.

What the suspension means

Under the interim order, chapters cannot host, attend, take part in or sponsor organized events. They are still allowed to hold routine business meetings. Chapter advisers are reportedly required to meet with the dean as part of the process.

The move comes as fraternity culture faces intense national scrutiny, fueled in part by the lawsuit filed by a former Cornell University student who alleges she was drugged and sexually assaulted at a fraternity house there.