The month of March brought suspensions, lawsuits and tension to the University of Maryland campus.
It started Mar. 1, when the University placed a temporary suspension on new-member activities for 37 fraternities and sororities, citing allegations of hazing and misconduct.
In partnership with a consulting firm, the University began investigating each Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Association (PHA) chapter. The investigation included over 150 interviews with IFC and PHA leaders and members.
Four chapters sued the school on Mar. 13 over violations of First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. The group also sought a temporary restraining order.
“Maryland’s directive, both on its face and as applied, unlawfully restricts constitutionally guaranteed rights of the citizens of this State to free expression,” the lawsuit reads. The suit also states that students were threatened with disciplinary punishment if they did not comply with the investigation.
In a counter motion filed by the Maryland Attorney General’s office, UMD officials argued that a blanket suspension was appropriate due to the number and nature of reports. They also denied violating due process, citing a meeting in late February warning Greek Life leaders about increased hazing reports.
Two days after the lawsuit, the University lifted the suspension for 32 of the 37 IFC and PHA chapters.
#UMD provides an update on its investigation into fraternity and sorority life activities.
Read more on UMD Right Nowhttps://t.co/FMLroJuaef
— UMD Right Now (@UMDRightNow) March 15, 2024
As part of the statement, the University included a list of the 32 chapters cleared from suspension. The five IFC members left off that list are as follows:
- Kappa Alpha Order
- Lambda Chi Alpha
- Phi Sigma Kappa
- Sigma Nu
- Zeta Beta Tau
Kappa Alpha Order is one of the plaintiffs suing the University, along with Alpha Sigma Phi, Alpha Tau Omega and Theta Chi.
The fraternities dropped their request for a temporary restraining order after the suspension was lifted. However, the group still seeks action regarding the violation of their free speech and due process rights.
The Fraternity Forward Coalition, a national alliance of which the four plaintiffs are all members, griped that Maryland forced students to hand over their cell phones in search of texts and personal data. The Coalition also complained that interviewees could not have an advisor present during questioning.
On Mar. 20, UMD released another update providing more detail about the investigation process and responding to the Coalition’s claims.
“The majority of students chose to bring an advisor, and no advisors were turned away,” the statement reads. “Students were not required to present or turn over evidence, including information that may be housed on personal devices (i.e. phones).”
As of now, the five fraternities left out of the suspension lift remain under investigation. The University outlined its next steps, including reviewing the Code of Student Conduct and forming a Fraternity and Sorority Life Working Group.
