CU is investigating whether certain CU sororities and fraternities may have been involved in a hazing incident.
Last week, some RAs came forward with knowledge of some suspicious activity that went on in a residence hall on campus. It is unknown at this point how many people were involved and which sororities or fraternities may have been involved, although Alpha Phi sorority has been mentioned, said CU Spokesperson Bronson Hilliard.
“We’re still piecing this together,” Hilliard said. “It looked like it might have been a couple of incidents involving this particular sorority and possibly some fraternities, and again, we’re not sure yet. It’s been difficult to piece together because the reports are sketchy and the details are few. We’re trying to get as many details as we can.”
Hilliard said that it has been reported that some young women were forced to drink shots. It was also reported that there were some young men present as well, but that it is unclear at this point if they were from a fraternity or not.
If proven that anyone was forced to take shots it would be a violation of the university’s policy on hazing.
According to the CU website, “Hazing includes, but is not limited to, any abuse of a mental or physical nature, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drugs or substances, or any forced physical activity that could adversely affect the health or safety of the individual.”
Hilliard said there are two aspects the university is investigating.
“[There are] multiple things we’re looking at here,” he said. “There’s individual culpability and then whether there’s involvement with sororities and fraternities.”
Hilliard said Alpha Phi is conducting their own investigation into the alleged incident and will let the university know what they find.
Last February, a student fell off the roof of Alpha Phi after being intoxicated.
Alpha Phi is a recognized student group at CU, and if found to have been involved in the incident the university cannot directly punish the sorority but may ask the sorority’s national office to create punishments or even to close the local chapter.
Hilliard said that the university would look into individual involvement and hold them responsible through the Office of Student Conduct.
“There’s more fact-finding to be done and more questions to be asked,” Hilliard said. “We’re taking this very, very seriously.”
Contact CU Independent Breaking News Editor Ellie Bean at Beanee@colorado.edu.
