A man has been banned from the University of Chicago's campus as police investigate a report that a woman was sexually assaulted during a fraternity party early Sunday.
University officials said a person of interest, who is not a student or otherwise affiliated with the school, had been identified in the ongoing investigation.
"The university banned him from campus," school officials said in an update Tuesday. "The university’s public notice about the report of sexual assault the day it happened encouraged others with knowledge of the events to help identify a suspect."
The Chicago Police Department told Newsweek a 21-year-old female reported to officers that she was inside a residence on the 5600 block of S. University when she said a male offender sexually assaulted her.
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“The victim self-transported to University of Chicago Hospital for treatment. Area One Detectives are investigating,” police said, adding that no one is currently in custody and that the investigation remains ongoing.
The alleged incident comes amid ongoing debate over a high-profile case at Cornell University over its handling of a woman’s allegations that she was drugged and raped by fraternity members in 2024.
Students have staged protests while Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul vowed to take action after a campus investigation led to internal disciplinary action by the university, with no criminal charges filed.
On October 1, Hochul appointed the state's attorney general, Letitia James, as special prosecutor. The accused men have denied the allegations. No criminal charges have been filed as of October 15.
In the University of Chicago incident, the university said that the 21-year-old woman is not a student, but said in a statement, “This is deeply concerning for the University community. The safety and well-being of our students and all who come to our community is our highest priority.”
University officials referred Newsweek to Tuesday's statement when asked for additional details.
"The CPD is leading the investigation into this case, which remains ongoing," the University of Chicago said. "Since the CPD investigation is still active and charges have not been filed, the university is not at liberty to disclose the name of the person of interest."
The school will also determine whether violations of university policy occurred, officials said.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, which obtained a police report, two friends told investigators they entered the bathroom of the fraternity house belonging to Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) and intervened during the alleged assault. The newspaper reported that the friends described men outside the bathroom as “cheering and appearing to encourage the activity inside.”
Newsweek has not seen the full police report.
The AEPi chapter said that, to its knowledge, no one affiliated with the fraternity was involved or complicit. It said members assisted the woman and that the alleged assailant was chased from the building. In a statement they added, “we condemn this violence unequivocally," and that they are "working alongside authorities to provide additional details to the Chicago Police Department.”
Newsweek reached out to AEPi via email for comment.
Amid the turmoil at Cornell University, President Michael Kotlikoff has announced the immediate suspension of all social events at fraternity houses for the rest of the academic year.
"It is clear that women on our campus continue to question whether they are safe. We must meet this moment by acknowledging where we have fallen short and taking meaningful action,” Kotlikoff said on Tuesday.
He added that there will be “zero tolerance” for violations and that any fraternity holding an in-house party or social event will face emergency suspension.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Tobias Meyjes and Geoffrey Rowland.