University of Maryland suspends Greek Life recruitment

The University of Maryland shut down social activities of its sororities and fraternities Friday amid a probe into unsafe recruitment.

Officials announced the suspension in a cease and desist letter to all Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association chapters, which represent 21 fraternities and 16 sororities, respectively.

The letter did not specifically mention hazing, but claimed the Greek Life groups were engaging in “activities that have threatened the safety and well-being of members of the University community.”

The alleged misconduct was not described in the letter.

The suspension will be in place indefinitely while the university investigates multiple reports regarding dangerous activities at the chapter’s ongoing new member initiation events.

IFC and PHA chapters are prohibited from communicating with new members and violating the terms of the order will result in “disciplinary action.”

They will also be blocked from hosting any events where alcohol is present.

The University of Maryland reserves the right to interfere in fraternity and sorority activities if there are reports of hazing, even if it occurred off campus, according to the school

Greek Life is a major player in the University of Maryland’s social scene — roughly 16% of the school’s 40,000 study body belongs to a frat or sorority, according to the school.

The move comes days after the University of Miami launched its own investigation into fraternity hazing.

In a viral video, three men were seen chugging gallons of milk until the point of retching, which they were directed to do on another shirtless boy who was tucked inside a trash can.

Days earlier, the University of Virginia suspended its Kappa Sigma chapter following allegations a pledge who had been drinking heavily fell down a staircase and hit his head, leading to his hospitalization.

The university’s Interfraternity Council also imposed a three-week suspension on all of its chapters “as a commitment to anti-hazing efforts and out of respect for the ongoing situation.”

With Post Wires