Fraternities at US colleges are facing scrutiny and calls for their abolition following a series of alleged incidents, including a 2024 alleged gang-rape at Cornell University. English literature emeritus professor Daniel R Schwarz, who has worked at Cornell for 59 years, is among those advocating for the end of "Greek life" due to this and other alleged wrongdoings.
A 2019 survey by the Association of American Universities indicated that a quarter of undergraduate women reported experiencing nonconsensual sexual conduct, with fraternities being the most likely setting. Recent reports include three sexual assault incidents at the University of Tennessee in August, two of which involved suspected drugging at fraternities, and an alleged rape at a University of Arkansas fraternity in April.
Hazing has also been a persistent issue, with an average of two hazing deaths reported annually between 1838 and 2025. This year, an 18-year-old died from alcohol poisoning at Northern Arizona University following a hazing incident, and a 20-year-old student at Southern University in Louisiana died in 2025 after allegedly being punched in the chest during a hazing ritual.
Despite these concerns, students continue to join fraternities and sororities seeking community and friendships, according to Jennifer Freyd, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Oregon. However, some students may engage in hazing rituals to achieve status within these organisations.