The University of Iowa has come down hard on campus fraternities for violating the ban on alcohol at sorority and fraternity parties.
On Wednesday, the university suspended nine fraternities, a week after Vice President for Student Life Melissa Shivers warned Interfraternity Council presidents over the use of alcohol.
“The blatant and systemic failure to curb holding dangerous open events with alcohol, including tailgates, will stop. Anything short of compliance with FSL policies, the University of Iowa, and your respective inter/national rules and policies is unacceptable,” Shivers wrote in an email announcing the suspension of fraternities.
The university has temporarily suspended Sigma Phi Epsilon; Pi Kappa Alpha; Phi Delta Theta; Beta Theta Pi; Pi Kappi Phi; Acacia; Sigma Pi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon pending investigation.
Fraternity presidents have been sent letters asking to explain their position on alcohol violations.
“Iowa City Police officers responded to reported to reported concerns regarding loud parties, providing alcohol, selling tickets to access property, criminal mischief/vandalism, throwing beer can causing injury, and medical calls for service, including overdose/poisoning concerns,” the letter obtained by the Press-Citizen reads.
Importantly, the ban on alcohol was placed on campus following the death of a university student at a fraternity event in Missouri in 2017.