University of Maryland halts fraternity, sorority events amid hazing concerns

The university indefinitely suspended “new member” activities and placed a moratorium on all events held on or off campus where alcohol is served pending an investigation into the allegations. It was not immediately clear whether the order applies only to groups on the College Park campus, which has about 52 such organizations, or to fraternities and sororities throughout the university system.

“This directive means that every current member of the organization must not contact any new member or prospective new member via in-person, telephone, postal mail, any electronic means (including social media), or third-party communication,” said the letter, whose contents were first reported Friday evening by the Diamondback student newspaper.

A university spokesperson Saturday shared the letter but declined to provide additional details about the alleged incidents.

Hazing during Greek pledge events has been a perpetual worry after some students died of alcohol poisoning and other injuries.

Last week, the University of Virginia’s Inter-Fraternity Council voted to temporarily suspend recruitment activities at all 30 of the school’s fraternities amid allegations that a student there was injured by hazing.

In that Feb. 21 incident, the student fell backward down a long flight of stairs in the fraternity chapter house where he was pledging and was knocked unconscious, according to a parent of another student who witnessed the scene and spoke on the condition of anonymity out of fear of retribution.

A University of Virginia spokesperson declined to comment on the incident beyond a statement that anyone involved in a confirmed hazing incident would be subject to prosecution and university disciplinary action, with the chapter subject to further suspension or termination.

This is story is developing and will be updated.