University of Maryland takes 'reimagined approach' to Greek life following hazing investigation

Matt Hubbard, The Baltimore Sun on May 11, 2025

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The University of Maryland, College Park is taking a “reimagined approach” to Greek life following hazing allegations that led to a pause in new member activity, an investigation, legal action and, now, a new initiative.

Unveiled in a report last week, the plan aims to increase transparency and education of Greek life members through new orientations, revisions and updates to current university policy, and collaboration between each of the university’s governing counsels and UMD officials.

Students were accused of beating others with paddles, burning them with cigarettes and forcing some to eat live fish and drink urine, according to court documents. During the two-week pause, the university engaged an independent firm to interview 175 student Greek life members as part of an investigation. Based on credible evidence of hazing, the report said five fraternities — 24% of Interfraternity Council chapters at University of Maryland — faced student conduct charges.

Two lawsuits were filed by Greek life members over the university’s investigation and hold on new-member activities. Both lawsuits were thrown out in March by U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman, who in her ruling said the issues raised by fraternities and sororities were moot because the university had lifted its cease-and-desist order suspending Greek life activities over a year ago.

The new initiative is founded on the investigation’s findings, as well as input from workgroups, the university’s four Greek councils and student interviews.

“The working group reports call for a complete reimagination of fraternity and sorority life at the University of Maryland,” the report reads. “Rather than simply proposing quick fixes, policy revisions, or education programs, these reports highlight several key issues that require intentional action from the university’s professional staff, students and alums of each organization.”

Nine calls to action are outlined, focusing mainly on communication, partnerships, student conduct and accountability.

Recommendations center on student well-being, specifically the recruitment of new Greek members. The workgroups recommended analyzing current policy regarding new members and providing more educational content to students and families, such as by giving an orientation on code of conduct and expectations for members.

The report also recommends a hazing-prevention education plan with consequences for noncompliance, as well as improved transparency for reporting organizational misconduct, a review and update of current university policy, and a university-wide, data-informed hazing prevention initiative.

Next steps will include meetings with stakeholders to provide updates and seek perspective on implementation of the initiatives, the report says.

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