The University of Arizona has suspended the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity after a female student reported being sexually assaulted by two men. This administrative action follows a series of conduct violations and an ongoing criminal investigation into events at the fraternity's residence.
The August 26 assault and allegations of strangulation
A female student reported to investigators that she was sexually assaulted by two men at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house on the night of August 26. according to search warrant records published by KOLD-TV, the student recalled consensually kissing one man and consuming alcohol before waking up to find two men assaulting her. The records indicate the victim suffered difficulty swallowing the following morning,suggesting possible strangulation.
Following the incident, the student reported the crime to police and underwent a forensic medical examination at a hospital. The University of Arizona Police Department has since filed a search warrant and confirmed that the criminal investigation remains active.
Sigma Phi Epsilon's shift from July probation to full suspension
The University of Arizona did not enter this suspension from a clean slate; the Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter was already on probation following allegations of hazing in July. In a letter sent Wednesday, Associate Dean of Students Whitney Mohr stated that the organization now "presents a substantial risk to members of the university community."
Beyond the assault allegations, the university has accused Sigma Phi Epsilon members of providing alcohol to minors on both August 26 and September 29. As a result, the fraternity is now under an activities suspension, which prohibits the chapter from hosting, sponsoring, or participating in any organizational events until the matter is resolved. Members are strictly forbidden from contacting the victim or her family, with the university warning that any retribution could lead to harsher penalties.
The crackdown on 21 Tucson farternities
The suspension of Sigma Phi Epsilon is part of a broader efffort by the University of Arizona to purge Greek-life activities that violate the student code of conduct. earlier this month, the administration took the drastic step of suspending 21 different fraternities fololwing reports of drug use, alcohol-related behavior, hazing, and assault.
While the university has since reinstated most of those groups, five fraternities remain suspended. This aggressive posture suggests that the University of Arizona is moving away from conditional warnings and toward zero-tolerance policies for chapters that repeatedly fail to maintain safety standards.
Who are the men identified in the September 9 search warrant?
Despite the severity of the claims, several critical details remain obscured. While the September 9 search warrant included physical descriptions of the accused, the identities of the suspects have not been publicly released by the University of Arizona Police Department.
Brian Warren , the CEO of Sigma Phi Epsilon, stated that the national organization has suspended those involved in the investigation, but he did not specify how many individuals were affected or their specific roles within the chapter. it remains unclear whether the national organization's internal disciplinary actions align with the criminal charges being pursued by local authorities.
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