University of Arizona suspends six fraternities, pauses activities for all 21 IFC chapters
The University of Arizona suspended six fraternities over investigations into drugs, alcohol, assault and hazing, and put all 21 Interfraternity Council chapters on interim activities suspension, according to a memo from the Dean of Students.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 1The University of Arizona has suspended six fraternities, citing ongoing investigations into drugs, alcohol, physical assault and hazing, Newsweek reported, citing local outlets. NewsweekN “The University of Arizona has suspended six of its fraternities this week citing ongoing investigations into drugs, alcohol, physical assault and hazing, local outlets reported.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1The suspensions were announced in a memo from Dean of Students Chrissy Lieberman on Monday, which said her office had been inundated with reports of misconduct and could not keep up. NewsweekN “The suspensions were announced in a memo from Dean of Students Chrissy Lieberman on Monday, saying her office has been inundated with reports of misconduct, and they cannot keep up.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1Local affiliate KOLD named the six as Zeta Beta Tau, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Theta Xi and Phi Gamma Delta. NewsweekN “The six suspended fraternities are Zeta Beta Tau, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Theta Xi and Phi Gamma Delta, local affiliate KOLD reports.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Centre · 2Separately, all 21 Interfraternity Council (IFC) chapters were placed on an interim activities suspension, with the university saying nearly half of them are under investigation or the subject of misconduct reports. Hindustan TimesN “The University of Arizona has put all of its 21 Interfraternity Council chapters on an interim activities suspension. It said that nearly half of them are under investigation or the subject of misconduct reports.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ NewsweekN “Additional action impacting every Interfraternity Council (IFC) chapter includes them being placed on "Interim Activities Suspension"” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 2Suspended chapters may not host, attend, participate in or sponsor activities, though club business meetings are allowed. Hindustan TimesN “The chapters under suspension are not allowed to host, attend or participate in or sponsor organizational activities. Only club business meetings are allowed.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ NewsweekN “Club business meetings are, however, allowed during the suspension.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 2Chapters that were in good standing before return to that status once a chapter leader or advisor attends one of three mandatory initial meetings; Newsweek, citing KOLD, said the first was on Tuesday, the second at 8 a.m. Wednesday in Bear Down Gym, Room 104, and the third at noon on 12 October in Nugent 100. NewsweekN “The first meeting was scheduled on Tuesday. The remaining two are set for 8 a.m. Wednesday in Bear Down Gym, Room 104, and at noon October 12 in Nugent 100, KOLD reports.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Hindustan TimesN “will be back to good standing after a chapter advisor has attended one of three initial mandatory meetings” Read at Hindustan Times ↗
Centre · 2Lieberman said alleged behaviours range from physical assault, drugs and alcohol to hazing and creating unsafe environments, that some matters are also under criminal investigation, and that her office is at capacity for the number of organisation cases it can investigate, all involving an IFC chapter. Hindustan TimesN ““The alleged behaviors range from physical assault, drugs and alcohol, hazing and creating unsafe environments for our students,” Lieberman said.”“She added that some of them are also under criminal investigation.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ NewsweekN “the Dean of Students Office is at capacity for the number of cases it can investigate, all of which include an IFC chapter” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1Lieberman said the university would take "swift remedial and interim actions" and keep working with UAPD, but warned the investigations would take time and affect chapters' ability to host events, do philanthropy and educate new members; quarterly advisor meetings will continue, and a chapter whose advisor misses one risks losing good standing. Hindustan TimesN ““We will take swift remedial and interim actions, and we will continue to partner with UAPD on these investigations,” Lieberman said.”““Mandatory advisor meetings will continue quarterly, and advisors must attend each meeting,” Lieberman said.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗ Centre · 1Hindustan Times, citing KTAR, said the suspension followed an allegation that one fraternity forced new members to eat live goldfish and drink large amounts of alcohol; the university expanded its hazing prevention initiatives in July. Hindustan TimesN “The suspension was announced after one UofA fraternity allegedly forced new members to consume live goldfish and drink large amounts of alcohol, per KTAR.”“The university notably expanded its hazing prevention initiatives in July.” Read at Hindustan Times ↗
Centre · 1In the memo, Lieberman called for the Greek community to "step up and set an example for good" as the value of the Greek experience is under scrutiny nationwide. NewsweekN “It is time for the University of Arizona Greek community to step up and set an example for good.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1Newsweek placed the move in the context of national scrutiny of fraternities, noting Cornell University faces investigations over its handling of sexual assault allegations involving its Chi Phi chapter; Newsweek said it had asked the University of Arizona for comment. NewsweekN “Cornell University faces multiple investigations over its handling of sexual assault allegations involving its Chi Phi chapter.”“Newsweek reached out to the University of Arizona late Tuesday night for comment.” Read at Newsweek ↗ Centre · 1Former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg told Newsweek an interim suspension is appropriate given credible allegations, but said the more severe and permanent the punishment, the more important a fair process and reliable evidence become. NewsweekN “I think an interim suspension is entirely appropriate when a university is dealing with credible allegations involving hazing, assault, drugs or other threats to student safety.”“the more severe and permanent the university’s punishment becomes, the more important it is that there be a fair process and reliable evidence behind it.” Read at Newsweek ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets report the suspensions from the Dean of Students' memo. Newsweek leads with the six named fraternities and national context; Hindustan Times leads with the blanket suspension of all 21 IFC chapters and the goldfish hazing allegation.
- Emphasis
- Newsweek: named chapters, Cornell context, outside legal comment. Hindustan Times: scope of the suspension, advisor-meeting rules, the goldfish allegation.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Newsweek does not mention the goldfish allegation or the July hazing initiatives. Hindustan Times does not name the six fraternities. Neither includes a response from the fraternities.
- Charged language
- “inundated”
- For example
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“The suspensions in Arizona come amid heightened scrutiny of fraternity oversight on college campuses nationwide” — Newsweek
“The University of Arizona has put all of its 21 Interfraternity Council chapters on an interim activities suspension, with many of them under investigation.” — Hindustan Times
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The University of Arizona placed IFC fraternity chapters on interim activities suspension.
- Dean of Students Chrissy Lieberman announced it, saying her office is at capacity for cases.
- Alleged misconduct includes physical assault, drugs, alcohol and hazing.
- Club business meetings are allowed during the suspension.
Where accounts differ
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Scope of the suspension
- Centre
- Newsweek says six fraternities were suspended, with all IFC chapters under an interim suspension until a mandatory meeting; Hindustan Times reports the interim suspension of all 21 IFC chapters, with nearly half under investigation or subject to misconduct reports.
University of Arizona organisation
Through Dean of Students Chrissy Lieberman's memo, the university says its office is at capacity, will take swift interim action with UAPD, and expects the Greek community to change its culture.
“We will do our part to hold every chapter and member accountable for their actions,” — Newsweek
““We will take swift remedial and interim actions, and we will continue to partner with UAPD on these investigations,” Lieberman said.” — Hindustan Times
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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University of Arizona Suspends 6 Fraternities Amid Investigations
Neutral Reports the memo via KOLD, names the six fraternities, adds Cornell context and a legal expert's view on interim suspension.
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Neutral Focuses on the suspension of all 21 IFC chapters, the dean's quotes and the goldfish hazing allegation reported by KTAR.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 7 Oct 05:06 First NewsweekN University of Arizona Suspends 6 Fraternities Amid Investigations
- 7 Oct 08:14 +3h 8m Hindustan TimesN University of Arizona puts all 21 Interfraternity Council chapters on ‘activities suspension’ amid investigation, misconduct reports
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.