Two men are accused of assaulting a student from the University of Arizona at a Sigma Phi Epsilon residence on August 26. Tucson police are currently investigating the incident, which reportedly occurred during a night of drinking.
The August 26 encountter at Sigma Phi Epsilon
The University of Arizona student reported to police that she had consensually kissed one man at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house but did not agree to sexual intercourse. According to search warrant records posted by KOLD-TV, the student recalled drinking tequila and later waking up without her underwear or pants. She also noted a difficulty in swallowing, which investigators flagged as a potential indicator of strangulation.
The investigation includes a recorded phone call made two days after the event. As the Associated Press reported, one of the men admitted to having sex with the student but insisted the act was consensual. He further claimed that he was too intoxicated to remember the details clearly and mentioned that videos existed of him and the student kissing in a bathroom.
A probation period running from July to May
The University of Arizona administration had already placed the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter on probation from July until May of next year following a complaint regarding hazing. This specific incident occurred just two weeks after the university took the drastic step of suspending activities for 21 different fraternities due to reports of drug use, alcohol abuse, and assault.
While most of those suspensions were eventually lifted after mandatory meetings with the dean of students, the recurring nature of these reports suggests a systemic issue. sigma Phi Epsilon is not currently among the five fraternities that remain suspended, though its national organization has since suspended the specific members involved in this case pending the outcome of the police investigation.
From Cornell's Chi Phi to Chicago's Alpha Delta Phi
The allegations in Tucson mirror a growing trend of sexual assault reports linked to fraternity houses across the United States. at Cornell University, a former student has alleged that multiple members of the Chi Phi fraternity assaulted her in October 2024, leading to campus protests and a state-level investigation into the school's disciplinary processes.
Similarly, the University of Chicago is dealing with multiple reports. A lawsuit filed by a woman identified as Jane Doe alleges she was raped in February by a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. Additionally, the University of Chicago recently confirmed a report of sexual assault occurring at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house,though that organization has denied any member's involvement.
The Pima County Attorney's lack of a referral
Despite the forensic exam and the recorded admissions, several key legal milestones remain unreached in the Arizona case. The Pima County Attorney's Office has stated that the case has not yet been referred to them for prosecution, meaning formal charges have not been filed.
Furthermore, the University of Arizona police department has declined to confirm whether any arrests have been made. it remains unclear if the "videos" mentioned by the suspect have been recovered by investigators or if they provide evidence that contradicts the victim's account of nonconsensual sex.
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