3 Stony Brook Frats Suspended Amid Sex Assault Allegations

STONY BROOK, NY — Three Stony Brook University fraternities were suspended after members and alumni were accused of sexual assault, according to The Statesman, a university publication.

Tau Kappa Epsilon, Kappa Sigma and Sigma Beta Rho were suspended by the university after five student members were among those accused of sexual assault in a series of Twitter and Instagram posts, The Statesman reported. The accusers say they were manipulated and abused emotionally, and some accused Stony Brook’s Title IX and Student Engagement and Activities offices of inaction.

Stony Brook University officials released the following statement:

"Stony Brook University is committed to creating and fostering a learning and working environment in which sexual misconduct is not tolerated, and all members of our community can thrive.

"Within 24-48 hours of receiving allegations of incidents related to Sigma Beta Rho, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and Kappa Sigma — following an initial review and investigation — interim suspensions were issued to each of the fraternities. This is consistent with our process, as sexual assault and hazing have no place on college campuses or in our society. Under these suspensions, which began the week of June 22, no organizational activities including programming, events, meetings, or recruitment, are permitted. The investigation into the allegations against these fraternities is continuing and all fraternity and sorority organizations are required to uphold the University’s community standards."

The Instagram account "voicesofsb" includes more than a dozen posts with allegations of sexual assault.

The account is intended to give "voices to Seawolves who have experienced sexual assault," according to its description. The page includes options to make submissions, including via email at voicesofsb@gmail.com or through an anonymous Google form.

One poster, a female alumnus, wrote "The rape culture at S**** is absolutely disgusting and all of Greek life is complicit."

A female sophomore wrote she "stopped going to parties" after saying she experienced sexual assault.

The anonymous owner of the voicesofsb account told The Statesman the profile was made after a friend revealed having been sexually assaulted on campus.

"My friend found comfort in sharing her story with me," they told The Statesman. "I wanted to help more people feel that same comfort by giving them a safe platform where they could share their story without the fear of being known."

The three suspended fraternities are part of the national Inter-Fraternity Council and not affiliated with the university, according to the school. However, all fraternities and sororities are required to follow the university's Community Guidelines for Recognized Student Organizations.

In a June 25 Instagram post, the university said it's "committed" to preventing sexual assault.

"Stony Brook University strives at all times to be a safe and inclusive environment," the school wrote. "The University takes all allegations of Title IX violations seriously and is committed to the prevention of sexual assault and violence."

A petition titled "Demand Justice for Assault Victims at SBU" went up the same day as the school's post, the New York Daily News reported. As of Monday, the petition had more than 7,500 signatures.

"Stony Brook University has had a history of sexual assault allegations surrounding its students and has done the bare minimum to punish the students responsible," the petition reads. "SBU has yet to address a growing number of recent allegations or take action in any form."

The petition, created by Shailee Patel, calls for administrators to be held accountable for "enabling these types of behaviors."

"There has been a blantant (sic) double-standard for sororities as compared to fraternities — there have been multiple instances where sororities have been given strikes and suspensions for things like booking rooms incorrectly or doing arts and crafts, while fraternities have been merely suspended or investigated for their incessant hazing, assault of other students, and Title IX allegations against brothers," the petition page reads. "Help us demand justice by signing this petition. Greek life coordinators need to be held accountable, assign the appropriate consequences or put better people in charge of dealing with sexual assault."

Stony Brook is embroiled in three open federal Office for Civil Rights investigations into its handling of sexual assault complaints, The Statesman reported. The lawsuits were filed in 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Stony Brook University has policies and procedures in place to investigate claims, within its purview, that are brought forward, according to the school. The university has established "rigorous policies and procedures" for reporting and investigating Title IX complaints while also adding more Title IX staff, complainant navigators, investigators and training for students, faculty and staff.