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UChicago safety council to hear from Hyde Park residents after two reported assaults at fraternity houses
The University of Chicago scheduled a public safety meeting for Wednesday evening after sexual assault allegations involving two fraternity houses this year. A lawsuit filed Tuesday alleges a woman was raped at an Alpha Delta Phi party in February; police say that investigation remains open.
The University of Chicago’s Public Safety Council was scheduled to meet Wednesday evening, Oct. 21, with sexual misconduct support and education on the agenda after sexual assaults were reported at two fraternity houses this year.
The meeting, set for 6 p.m. at the university’s Department of Safety and Security, 6054 S. Drexel Ave., is open to students and Hyde Park residents in person or by Zoom. University Police Chief Kyle Bowman was expected to provide an update. Halloween events in Hyde Park were also slated for discussion.
The meeting follows a lawsuit filed Tuesday by a woman identified as Jane Doe, who alleges she was raped at an Alpha Delta Phi fraternity party on Feb. 7. The complaint says the party took place at the chapter house at 5747 S. University Ave. and accuses the local chapter and national organization of disregarding earlier sexual assault reports and failing to enforce safety rules.
According to the complaint, a fraternity member, identified as Kevin Shim, gave Doe a shot of unidentified alcohol and urged her to drink it. She soon felt unsteady and lightheaded, the lawsuit alleges. It further claims Shim led her to a bedroom and sexually assaulted her while she was unable to consent or physically or verbally refuse. The complaint says she asked him to use a condom and he refused.
The lawsuit alleges another fraternity member prevented Doe’s friends from going upstairs until Shim gave permission. Her friends later found her unconscious, the complaint says. Doe reported the assault to Chicago police the following morning, after noticing bloodstains on her underwear, and had a rape examination, according to her attorneys.
Chicago police said the investigation remains open. Shim has not been criminally charged. Alpha Delta Phi said it suspended him from the fraternity; he did not respond to a request for comment.
A separate sexual assault was reported at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house, 5625 S. University Ave., during a party early Oct. 11. A university report says a 21-year-old woman who was not affiliated with UChicago reported being assaulted in a bathroom at about 1:50 a.m. The university said the woman did not know the suspect and that he ran away after someone intervened.
The university said a person of interest was identified through witness statements and video evidence shared with Chicago police. That person has not been taken into custody.
The allegations at the two houses have focused attention on safety at fraternity events. Wednesday’s meeting gives students and neighbors an opportunity to raise concerns directly with university officials.