Sexual assault reported at fraternity house near University of Chicago campus

Chicago police were investigating a sexual assault reported at an off-campus fraternity house over the weekend alongside the University of Chicago campus in the Hyde Park neighborhood.

In a campus alert issued Sunday, the University of Chicago said at 1:50 a.m., a woman who was not affiliated with the university was sexually assaulted during a party at the fraternity house at 5625 S. University Ave., which matches the address of the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) house.

Chicago police said the woman was 21 years old. She did not know her attacker, the university said.

When someone intervened, the unidentified suspect ran off, the university said.

Witnesses described the suspect as a South Asian male standing 5 feet 7 inches tall with a dark complexion, short hair on the sides, and long curly hair on the top. He was wearing a black T-shirt, black jogging pants, and white shoes, the university said.

Surveillance video in the area picked up someone matching the description running from the frat house, UChicago said.

The east side of the 5600 block of South University Avenue is lined with an assortment of buildings, some of which house university offices or organizations, others of which house fraternities and are not university property. Across the street is the UChicago Main Campus.

A University of Chicago police officer on patrol was flagged down to respond, and UCPD arranged for the woman to be transported to the University of Chicago Medical Center.

UCPD also contacted the Chicago Police Department, which is handling the investigation.

On the UChicago campus Monday morning, most people whom CBS News Chicago came across had heard about the investigation from the community alert.

One student said off camera that she was at the frat party in question, but did not notice anything out of the ordinary. She left before the alleged sexual assault.

Outside the Max Palevsky Residential Commons dorm opposite University Avenue from the row of buildings that includes the frat house, a student reacted to the sexual assault allegations and the state of society.

"I think it's just awful," said UChicago first-year student Sophie Jacobs, "and I think with everything going on in the news now, especially, there needs to be a serious look at, you know, the safety of frats in general and whether or not they should be kept around at all."

One student, who didn't want to say her name, says there's a lot of unanswered questions about the incident.

"This is something, regardless whether or not if it was a frat brother who did it, it's going to follow the frat around, and I think that that's unfortunate in the sense of like, people who aren't culpable are forced to take responsibility and the people who are responsible generally are not forced to take responsibility," she said.

It's unclear if the attacker has any affiliation with the fraternity or the university.

Meanwhile, AEPi released a statement reporting that it became aware of the alleged incident on Sunday afternoon and has been working with chapter leadership since, while the UChicago chapter has been working cooperatively with the university administration and local law enforcement on its investigations.

Pending the results of the investigation, the UChicago AEPi chapter has suspended all events and programs.

"Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity unconditionally opposes, and its conditions of membership absolutely prohibit, any conduct considered as 'sexual harassment' or 'sexual assault,'" the fraternity said in the statement. "This includes such behaviors as repeated propositioning, coercive pressure, unwanted touching and physical violence."

The fraternity said it emphasizes its members' responsibility to protect each other, guests, and the community.

"Every AEPi member receives mandatory training on these standards, which staff and volunteers reinforce through chapter visits and national and regional events. Violations may lead to expulsion," the fraternity said. "AEPi staff and volunteers provide the same oversight and support to chapters whether or not their universities recognize them."

AEPi urged people not to jump to conclusions.

"Most importantly, all of AEPi hurts for the person who was the victim in this incident," the fraternity said in the statement. "No one should attend an event on any campus — fraternity-based or otherwise — and have to fear for their safety and wellbeing."

The university said in a statement: "While fraternities are not Recognized Student Organizations at UChicago and thus have no formal affiliation with the University, all University students are subject to University policies and disciplinary procedures. The University remains committed to addressing sexual misconduct cases that occur, to imposing disciplinary consequences as warranted, and to continually improving efforts to prevent sexual misconduct."

The school's annual security and fire safety report shows from 2023 to 2025, there were 19 forcible sex offenses on campus and 10 rapes in that same time frame.

The investigation continued on Monday with no one in custody. UCPD advised anyone with information to share it anonymously at CPDTIP.com.

More reporting options and resources on sexual misconduct are available through the U of C at cares.uchicago.edu.