Northwestern University’s student government organization on Wednesday called for the immediate suspension of multiple campus fraternities after multiple women were allegedly sexually assaulted in the fraternity houses earlier this year.
Northwestern’s Associated Student Government in a statement asked that the Illinois Psi-Omega chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and other unidentified fraternities on campus be suspended immediately while the investigation into the alleged assaults continues. The Associated Student Government also asked that, if found responsible, the fraternities be removed from campus indefinitely.
"We believe the university must remove individuals from campus who are found responsible for sexual assault, as well as organizations that do not foster a safe, healthy environment free of sexual misconduct," reads the statement, which is posted on the Associated Student Government Facebook page.
The Associated Student Government represents the undergraduate students at Northwestern University, officials said.
Christina Cilento, ASG president, said the group’s leaders took a stand before the investigation was complete because the severity of the situation was conveyed through two university emails to the entire student body.
"Those fraternities have created an environment on campus that we feel is unsafe," Cilento said. "We don’t get an email about every single sexual assault on campus."
Northwestern administrators on Monday issued a security alert after receiving reports that as many as four female students were possibly given a date rape drug at a Jan. 21 event at the SAE house, according to Chicago Tribune reports. Two of the women said they were sexually assaulted after receiving the drug.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston.
(Chris Walker / Chicago Tribune)
The university received a second allegation last week of a woman being sexually assaulted after receiving a date rape drug at a different fraternity house, according to Tribune reports.
Officials have not said which fraternity is allegedly involved in that attack.
Northwestern is required by federal law to warn students and staff about alleged crimes on campus if they pose "an ongoing threat to the campus community," according to Tribune reports.
Northwestern Interfraternity Council said in a statement on the group’s Facebook page on Wednesday that leaders plan to start a task force involving diverse voices from across campus to help evaluate "risk management, sexual assault, hazing, drugging and toxic masculine culture, and membership development, recruitment, and values," in fraternities, among other topics.
Brandon Weghorst, SAE spokesman, said the fraternity is committed to cooperating during the investigation.
"Sigma Alpha Epsilon certainly wants to work with university officials and the campus community as we move forward following the allegations that came to our attention about our chapter," Weghorst said.
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