Activities Suspended At University Of Michigan Frats Amid Allegations Of Assault, Hazing

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ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - Activities have been suspended at fraternities on the University of Michigan campus following multiple reports of misconduct, including sexual assault and hazing.

The Interfraternity Council, which governs fraternities at the university, voted Thursday night to suspend all social activities and new member pledge terms after several allegations of misconduct at fraternities across the campus.

Those allegations range from sexual assault involving fraternity members, six incidents of reported hazing of new members -- some of whom were allegedly put in near-death situations, drugging members, and hosting unauthorized alcohol-fueled events. One such event, a dating party, saw couples handcuffed to one another until they finished a full bottle of champagne, according to The Michigan Daily.

The fraternities are also being investigated for 30 hospitalizations during the Michigan-Michigan State game, as well as for drugging members and hazing. Eighty assaults were reported between July 2015 and June 2016.

"I can hear it constantly," one Ann Arbor resident said. "Like the ambulance going by. At first I was terrified of how much I heard it, like the first time being here, and then I realized that was like the norm."

Activities that have already been paid for will still go on, but with monitors to keep an eye on students' sobriety.

The Interfraternity Council said in a statement that the suspension will allow council members to "immediately begin the process of assessing our policies and practices" and develop "a formal plan going forward."

"We believe that social events are a privilege, and we, as a community, have not earned this privilege at this time," the Interfraternity Council said in a statement.