The short version
- University of Arizona police are investigating allegations that a sorority member was sexually assaulted by two men at a Sigma Phi Epsilon house in late August.
- The national fraternity organization has suspended the involved members pending the outcome of the investigation and promised full cooperation with law enforcement.
- The case emerges as universities nationwide face renewed scrutiny over sexual misconduct, with recent high-profile allegations at Cornell and the University of Chicago.
Law enforcement officials at the University of Arizona are investigating claims that a female student was sexually assaulted by two men during an incident at a fraternity house in late August. The allegations were brought to the attention of university police, leading to the issuance of search warrants and the collection of forensic evidence. According to records obtained by local media, the student reported that she had been drinking tequila with friends on the night of August 26 when the incident occurred at the residence of Sigma Phi Epsilon.
The victim described a sequence of events in which she engaged in consensual kissing with one of the men but stated she does not recall agreeing to sexual intercourse. Search warrant documents indicate that she witnessed two men assaulting her and recalled physical sensations, including feeling breath on her face. Upon waking the following morning, she noted that she was missing her pants and underwear and experienced difficulty swallowing, a symptom often associated with strangulation. She reported the incident to police later that day and underwent a forensic medical examination at a hospital.
Investigators reviewed recorded communications between one of the accused men and the alleged victim two days after the encounter. In these exchanges, the man acknowledged having sexual contact but maintained that it was consensual. He denied that a second man had participated in the act and attributed his lack of clear memory to intoxication, describing himself as feeling fuzzy about the details. The records also note that he mentioned videos were taken of him kissing the student in a bathroom setting.
The Sigma Phi Epsilon national organization has responded to the allegations by suspending the members involved while the investigation proceeds. Brian Warren, the chief executive officer of the fraternity, stated that any member found responsible for misconduct will be expelled from the organization. He emphasized that the fraternity is committed to cooperating fully with law enforcement to ensure accountability under the law and warned that retaliation against the victim or witnesses would not be tolerated.
This case unfolds against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny regarding Greek life conduct at universities across the United States. Just two weeks prior to the release of these warrant records, the University of Arizona suspended activities for its 21 fraternities following reports of various misconduct issues, including assault, hazing, and substance abuse. Most of these suspensions were lifted after chapters completed mandatory meetings with the dean of students, though Sigma Phi Epsilon remains on probation until May due to a separate hazing complaint filed in July.
The university police department has declined to confirm whether any arrests have been made, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Similarly, the Pima County Attorney’s Office indicated that the case has not yet been referred for prosecution. These procedural delays are common in sexual assault cases, where investigators must gather sufficient evidence before determining if criminal charges are warranted.
The incident at the University of Arizona parallels other recent high-profile cases involving fraternities. At Cornell University, allegations surfaced in October 2024 regarding a former student who claimed multiple members of the Chi Phi fraternity assaulted her. Those claims triggered campus protests and a state investigation into the school’s disciplinary processes. Meanwhile, at the University of Chicago, a lawsuit was filed this week alleging rape by an Alpha Delta Phi member during a February party. Another recent report of assault at a different Chicago fraternity is also under police review.
As these cases develop, they highlight the complex interplay between university administrative actions, national organizational policies, and local law enforcement procedures. The University of Arizona has not yet provided detailed comments on the specific progress of this investigation beyond confirming its active status. The outcome will likely influence how the institution handles future reports of misconduct within Greek organizations.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- The Guardian World↗University of Arizona sorority member alleges sexual assault at fraternity house
