UC Berkeley Greek life council bans parties after sexual assault reports
Fraternities and sororities at the University of California, Berkeley banned parties Tuesday after two reported incidents of sexual assault. (Creative Commons Photo by Jay Cross via Flickr)
By Ryan Leou
Oct. 24, 2016 1:12 a.m.
Fraternities and sororities at the University of California, Berkeley banned all parties Tuesday.
The UC Berkeley Interfraternity Council announced the ban in a Facebook post after two women reported sexual assault incidents at different fraternity social events on Oct. 15.
[Related: Berkeley women file sexual assault-related lawsuit against UC Regents]
“The IFC has voluntarily decided to suspend all social events until we can re-evaluate our risk management practices and care for those who have been affected,” the post said.
In the post the IFC said they have no reason to believe campus fraternity members committed the crimes, but fraternity and sorority council members were disheartened and alarmed that the incidents happened on fraternity property.
“We wish to reiterate our pledge to eliminate sexual violence from our community and reaffirm our commitment to our members and students of Berkeley to provide a safe environment for all,” the post said.
The ban applies to all social events with alcohol involved. Anyone who violates the ban will be fined, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Violators could also be referred to a committee for additional punishment.
Greek fraternity and sorority leaders met over the weekend at Joint Social and Risk Management Roundtable to discuss safety and security related to sexual violence and alcohol consumption, among other issues.
