CLARIFICATION: This story’s headline has been updated to better reflect that a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by fraternities against the University of Maryland. This story has also been updated to better reflect this university’s response to the case’s dismissal.
A federal judge dismissed the case between the University of Maryland and certain fraternities impacted by last year’s temporary pause on chapter activities on Monday, according to court documents.
“That crisis is over, and Greek life continues at the University,” Judge Deborah Boardman wrote in her opinion.
This university placed a two-week pause on new member activities and events involving alcohol for all campus Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association chapters on March 1, 2024, according to this university’s website. All but five chapters were able to return to normal activities on March 15, 2024.
The five remaining chapters were subject to additional investigation after evidence of hazing and other harmful incidents was found, according to this university’s website.
“The University is pleased with yesterday’s ruling, in which the federal court granted the University’s Motion to Dismiss, and dismissed all of the fraternities’ claims in the case,” a Tuesday statement from this university read. “The University of Maryland will continue to prioritize the health, safety and well-being of our students and community.”
Four fraternities and three unnamed people filed a lawsuit on March 13, 2024, against this university, university president Darryll Pines, student affairs vice president Patty Perillo, student conduct director James Bond and assistant vice president for engagement James McShay for violating their free speech.
“We are pleased that the court recognized the seriousness of the University of Maryland’s actions in imposing broad, restrictive measures that suspended student activities and chilled protected speech and association,” a Tuesday news release from the Fraternity Forward Coalition read.
Boardman correctly acknowledged that the fraternities already got their intended outcome when this university dropped the temporary pause, the news release read.
Boardman argued in the opinion that dismissing the case would be best because it is unlikely that the circumstances that led this university to issue the temporary pause would occur again.
“To find this case is not moot, the Court would have to presume that the IFC and PHA organizations will repeat the same misconduct and will refuse to respond to the university’s request for information about the allegations,” Boardman wrote.
