Indiana University’s Office of Student Life has barred 27 of its fraternities from hosting social events following multiple alleged hazing incidents over the past few weeks, according to a letter from Vice Chancellor for Student Life Lamar Hylton to the IU Interfraternity Council.
Hylton restricted fraternities in the IFC from hosting social, philanthropic and brotherhood events, as well as tailgates, group activities, new member education and events with alcohol. Hylton also wrote no first-year students are allowed to break their housing contracts to move into fraternity houses.
“The risk is too high to continue this arrangement given the status of the IFC community,” Hylton said in the letter.
The letter did not mention when or if the restrictions would be lifted. He cited several fraternities being recently accused of “engaging in hazing behaviors” as reason for the suspension.
Four fraternities have been placed on cease and desist — a temporary suspension on part or all of their operations — since Oct. 21. Most recently, Tau Epsilon Phi was placed on cease and desist Friday for hazing.
Phi Kappa Psi and Alpha Epsilon Pi were put on cease and desist Oct. 21 and Oct. 24, respectively, both due to hazing. Beta Chi Theta was placed on the same order Nov. 4 for hazing, non-compliance with university directives and interference with the university conduct process.
The letter alleged IU Chancellor David Reingold had previously written the IFC authorizing increased IU Police Department presence and an “expedited conduct and sanctioning process.” It also said the IFC had previously met with Hylton, the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life and the Office of Student Conduct to discuss the ongoing issues.
“The severity of these restrictions reflects the seriousness of the misconduct allegations we have received,” Hylton wrote. “Indiana University will not tolerate activities that put our students in harm’s way or defy the law and our core values.”
Those who break the restrictions, the letter said, will be charged with organizational misconduct. It recommended fraternities work on internal standards and accountability processes, as well as performing membership reviews.
Fraternities will still be allowed to hold standards meetings, engage in community service, hold elections, participate in intramural sports and gather in small groups.
“Your ability to thrive, and frankly, to continue as organizations on this campus, hinges on your collective and immediate dedication to accountability and safety,” Hylton wrote.
In the spring 2025 semester, both the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Association temporarily paused all social events March 5 until after spring break to address community health and safety concerns.
The IFC represents 27 of IU’s fraternities and is led by President and IU junior Andrew Golde. In a statement for the March 5 suspension, Golde and PHA President and IU junior Abigail Worrel wrote they “will be taking appropriate action to ensure chapter compliance with updated risk management policies from both councils, as well as a detailed action plan going forward.”
IU’s sororities were not named in Hylton’s letter, and none have been placed on cease and desist this semester.
The IFC did not respond to a request for comment by time of publication.
