University of Maryland has indefinitely suspended all fraternity and sorority events amid safety concerns

The University of Maryland has instructed all fraternities and sororities on campus to suspend social and recruitment events after reports of unsafe activities, according to Fox News Digital.

Officials at the university issued a letter on Friday to fraternity and sorority presidents informing them of the suspension. While the letter did not explicitly mention hazing, it is said that the alleged misconduct had to do with "activities that have threatened the safety and well-being of members of the University community."

All 21 fraternities and 16 sororities have been told to stop all social events while the investigation is ongoing. The groups are also prohibited from making contact with any new prospective members, and they are not allowed to host any events where alcohol is present, per the report.

WTOP reported that the development at the University of Maryland comes just days after the University of Virginia suspended its Kappa Sigma chapter after an alleged hazing incident on February 21. Additionally, the campus put a three-week suspension on all chapters "as a commitment to anti-hazing efforts and out of respect for the ongoing situation."

The Kappa Sigma chapter was suspended at the Virginia university after an intoxicated pledge fell down a flight of stairs and hit his head, ultimately leading to his hospitalization. The campus' Inter-Fraternity Council published a statement after the event, writing: "Our primary concern is the health and well-being of the individual involved, and we extend our thoughts and prayers to the affected individual, their family, and loved ones during this time."

In 2021, the death of Adam Oakes — a student at Virginia Commonwealth University — ignited anti-hazing legislation and a nearly $1 million settlement payment from the university to the Oakes family.

The university published a report in memory of Oakes following the tragedy, describing what ultimately led to his death and the anti-hazing legislation.

"The night of February 26, 2021, Adam's first night as a Delta Chi pledge, would be his last. He and a group of other pledges attended a dangerous fraternity ritual known as the 'Big and Little Brother Reveal Night,' known in the fraternity and sorority community as one of the 'three deadly nights,'" the report noted.

"At this event, Adam was given a 'family drink' made by his 'big brother.' The pledges were required to consume the family drink. Directly following that, Adam was given a large bottle of Jack Daniels to drink. Despite showing clear signs of life-threatening alcohol poisoning, and needing immediate medical help, no one called for help. Adam died on the floor of the house, alone."

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