Updated Oct. 15, 2026, 1:21 a.m. ET
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Police are investigating a report that a woman was sexually assaulted during a fraternity party near the University of Chicago campus, an allegation that has drawn widespread attention as colleges and fraternities face renewed scrutiny over sexual violence and campus safety.
The incident was reported shortly after 2 a.m. local time on Oct. 11 at the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house, according to the University of Chicago Police Department’s daily crime log. The log states that “a victim reported being sexually assaulted by an unknown suspect while at a party” at the off-campus residence.
The University of Chicago, a private school with about 18,000 students enrolled, said in a statement that a woman who is not affiliated with the school reported that she was sexually assaulted at around 1:50 a.m. local time during a party at the fraternity house. Another person intervened, and the suspect fled before police arrived.
In an update on Oct. 13, the university said a person of interest had been identified through witness statements and video evidence from university cameras and license-plate readers. The person of interest is not a student, has no affiliation with the school, and has been banned from campus.
University officials said the school’s Department of Safety and Security shared the evidence with the Chicago Police Department, which is leading the criminal investigation. As of Oct. 14, the Chicago Police Department said no arrest had been made and that the investigation remained ongoing.
“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 university said in the statement. “Separate from CPD’s ongoing investigation, the University will continue to determine whether violations of University policy occurred, and will initiate disciplinary actions as warranted.”
USA TODAY reached out to the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity for comment.
Report: Group allegedly cheered as woman was sexually assaulted
The Chicago Police Department confirmed to USA TODAY on Oct. 14 that a 21-year-old woman reported the assault to police and “self-transported” to University of Chicago Hospital for treatment.
According to The Chicago Sun-Times, which obtained a police report, the victim told police she had been dancing and drinking at the fraternity party before she “began feeling unwell.” She reported being sexually assaulted inside the fraternity house.
The newspaper reported that two friends of the woman told police they forced their way into a bathroom to intervene and a group of men attempted to block them from entering. The men were seen “cheering and appearing to encourage the activity inside,” according to the report cited by the Sun-Times.
The woman’s friends found her and a man inside the bathroom, both partially undressed, the newspaper reported. The woman was described in the report as “not fully conscious,” according to the Sun-Times.
The Sun-Times reported that one friend told the man to get off the woman, and “he responded that everything was ‘cool.'” The newspaper also reported that when the woman and her friends later confronted the man outside the fraternity house, another man claimed they had identified the wrong person and directed them elsewhere before fleeing.
One of the victim’s friends briefly pursued the man before encountering a university police officer and reporting the incident, according to the Sun-Times.
Fraternities under renewed scrutiny nationwide
The University of Chicago described the report as “deeply concerning” and said supporting the alleged victim and assisting police remain priorities. University officials noted that fraternities are not recognized student organizations at the university and are not formally affiliated with the school, though students remain subject to university policies and disciplinary procedures.
The reported assault comes at a time of heightened national attention on sexual violence allegations connected to college campuses. Much of that attention has centered on Cornell University, where a woman alleged in a lawsuit that she was drugged and repeatedly sexually assaulted by fraternity members during an incident in 2024.
The allegations became public last month and sparked criticism of the school’s handling of the case.
Though Cornell conducted its own investigation and imposed disciplinary actions, no criminal charges were filed. The men accused in the lawsuit have denied wrongdoing.
In response to the controversy, Cornell University announced this week that it is suspending fraternity events through the rest of this academic year, saying it plans to involve the New York State Police in future investigations of campus sexual assault allegations. The changes came amid mounting pressure from students and advocacy groups seeking a stronger response to reports of sexual misconduct.
Fraternities have also come under increased scrutiny at the University of Arizona, which earlier this month temporarily suspended fraternity activities following reports of assault, hazing, and other misconduct.
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