Northwestern University officials have suspended all social events and chapter-sponsored recruitment activities at the school’s fraternities for at least three weeks after multiple reports of students being drugged without consent at fraternity parties.
Crime alerts issued by the school indicate one person was drugged at a party Saturday at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house at 2325 Sheridan Road and that multiple people reported being drugged at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity at 584 Lincoln St. on Friday.
The university statement signed by Police Chief Bruce Lewis and Mona Dugo, assistant vice president of wellness, says the school’s policy is that on-campus fraternity and sorority houses are alcohol-free spaces.
The suspension of social activities includes events with non-members, such as alumni. Individuals or groups that violate the restriction or any other university policy will be referred to the Office of community Standards.
The suspension period is to extend through Northwestern’s Reunion Weekend, which ends Oct. 17.
The statement also says the Interfraternity Council has unanimously passed a resolution outlining restrictive measures in partnership with the university.
“Let us be clear,” the statement continues, “The health, safety and well-being of our students remain our top priority and we are taking these allegations very seriously.”
Sigma Alpha Epsilon was the site of similar reports of female students being given date-rape drugs in 2017.