University of Arizona Sorority Member Alleges Sexual Assault at Fraternity House

POLICY WIRE — Tucson, United States — A University of Arizona sorority member has reported that she was sexually assaulted by two men inside a fraternity house following an evening of drinking in late August.

Search warrant documents released Monday evening by CBS affiliate KOLD-TV in Tucson detail that the student informed campus police she shared consensual kisses with one of the men at the Sigma Phi Epsilon house on August 26, though she has no recollection of consenting to sexual intercourse.

These allegations emerged just two weeks after the university instituted a temporary suspension on all 21 of its campus fraternities following various reports of misconduct, which included hazing, assault, and violations related to alcohol and drugs. Dean of students meetings prompted the institution to lift suspensions on all but five of those chapters.

According to the records, the sorority member spoke with investigators to recount drinking tequila, including sharing a cup with friends, and sensing two men sexually assaulting her while feeling the breath of one man on her face. She stated she woke up the following morning without her pants or underwear and experienced difficulty swallowing, which serves as a potential indicator of strangulation.

Later that same day, she formally reported the incident to law enforcement and underwent a forensic medical examination at a hospital.

During a recorded telephone conversation with the complainant two days after the incident, one of the men confirmed he engaged in sexual activity with her, yet insisted she had consented while denying that a second man was involved. He mentioned he was intoxicated and hazy regarding the events, adding that individuals captured video of him and the sorority member kissing inside a restroom, the documents show.

The Associated Press reached out to the university via email and phone for statements on Tuesday. Campus police confirmed the inquiry remains active and open, withholding comment on whether any arrests have taken place, while the Pima County Attorney’s Office stated the matter has not yet been forwarded for formal prosecution.

Prior to these events, the university placed Sigma Phi Epsilon on probation spanning from July until May of next year due to a previous hazing grievance. The chapter is currently excluded from the list of five fraternities facing active suspensions.

Leadership from the national fraternity organization directed members of the Arizona branch to fully cooperate with the ongoing inquiry. The fraternity has suspended those involved while the investigation proceeds, and any member found responsible will be expelled from Sigma Phi Epsilon, according to a statement issued by Chief Executive Officer Brian Warren, who added that the organization will work closely with law enforcement to ensure accountability under the law and tolerate no retaliation against the victim or witnesses.

Parallel incidents have drawn attention nationwide, including at Cornell University where a former student accused multiple members of the Chi Phi fraternity of sexual assault in October 2024, triggering student protests, scrutiny of campus disciplinary procedures, and an active state investigation. Jane Doe, the complainant, wrote a letter to the university president expressing that she felt unsupported and disbelieved.

Additionally, a legal complaint was filed this week against Alpha Delta Phi and its Chicago chapter by a woman alleging she was raped in February by an Alpha Delta Phi member during a party at an on-campus residence at the University of Chicago. Identified in court filings as Jane Doe, she stated she reported the assault to city police the following day.

Chicago police did not specify the fraternity name or exact address in response to inquiries, but confirmed they are investigating a sexual assault report originating from the same block during the early hours of February 8. Emails sent to the University of Chicago and Alpha Delta Phi ahead of publication went unanswered.

Chicago law enforcement is also reviewing a separate report involving a woman who stated she was sexually assaulted during an early-month gathering at a different fraternity. The University of Chicago released a statement confirming a report of sexual assault at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house, though the fraternity maintained none of its members were involved in the alleged incident, ahead of a scheduled public safety meeting on Wednesday.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)