Yet another fraternity has been found in violation of egregious conduct, including hazing, and other forms of violence.

This time, fraternity Sigma Nu has been exposed and punished. The University of Utah terminated its recognition of the Sigma Nu fraternity, claiming it violated university policies.

Specifically, the information alleged that Sigma Nu engaged in hazing new members during the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 recruitment cycles. The following are examples of the hazing, according to the Office of the Dean of Students:

• New members were forced to consume alcohol in a circle until a 30-case of beer was finished. If the case was not finished by the time the last new member received the case, they were forced to drink the remaining amount until it was all consumed.
• New and recently-initiated members were required to complete chores in the chapter house (that no other active members were required to complete), including cleaning up floors and after parties. These chores would sometimes occur on school days at 3 or 4 a.m. If the chores were not completed, new members were threatened to be "humped" by active members or be dropped from the chapter.
• During early morning activities, new members were given tests. If they answered incorrectly, they would be given more tests.
• New members were required to wear pledge pins at all times. To get their pins, they were blindfolded and had to crawl through the chapter facility to find them.
• New members were required to complete a certain number of interviews with active members. The interviews required illegal substances like marijuana.
• New members were blindfolded and kidnapped by active members and taken to an exotic dance club.
• Each new member was assigned a "Goot Master" who would give them a derogatory name.
• The fraternity hosted a Halloween party funded by new members at the rate of $600 per new member. There was approximately $15,000 worth of alcohol present.
• New members were required to carry a "pledge pack" with them at all times that included tobacco, condoms, a golf tee, gum, Zyns, and a marijuana pen.
• Active members were assigned "colors" that identified how much they were allowed to haze new members.
• New members were assigned roles that required them to perform workouts on Sunday mornings from 5-6 a.m., share weather forecasts, and eat specific food.
• During the "I-week," new members were forced to stay in the basement of the chapter facility from Friday to Sunday. Limited food was provided, they slept on the basement floor, and they were required to sing songs while the active members and alumni were present.
• Alcohol was provided to new members and students during bid day activities.

"These violations are egregious— the behavior found to have taken place were of all three types of hazing categories — subtle, harassment, and violent — and there has been a pattern of misbehavior over the past six years including hazing, alcohol-related violations, and destruction of property," she said, in part. "I do not have confidence the Sigma Nu chapter will follow the University's directions, policies, or terms of a suspension, and therefore, termination of the University's recognition of the chapter is warranted."

Read the Dean's letter here: https://d26toa8f6ahusa.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/03223507/Sigma_Nu_Hearing_Decision_May_2025_Redacted-1.pdf

Tamara Holder Law represents victims of fraternity abuse - rape, sexual harassment, hazing, and other forms of violent conduct. We represent women and students throughout the country. If something happened to you at the hands of a fraternity member or at a fraternity party or event, we can help. Call us at 312-440-9000 or intake@tamaraholder.com

Former NFL player Shannon Sharpe has been sued for $50 million by an ex-girlfriend in Nevada state court. Here are four things we are watching as the case progresses.

1. Consent and Power Dynamics - The woman "Jane Doe" says she was in a "rocky consensual relationship" with Shannon Sharpe. They met at a Los Angeles gym in 2023 when she was 19 and alleges Sharpe, who is currently 56 years old, sexually assaulted her twice, once in October 2024 and again in January 2025. The age disparity is quite vast: nearly 35 years between the two. Some may say that she was legally an adult at 19 so she was capable of making adult decisions. Others may say that despite legally being an adult, she was still a teenager and there was an imbalance of power, especially because he is a famous personality and former athlete. "After many months of manipulating and controlling Plaintiff — a woman more than thirty years younger than he — and repeatedly threatening to brutally choke and violently slap her, Sharpe refused to accept the answer no and raped Plaintiff, despite her sobbing and repeated screams of 'no,'" the complaint alleges.
2. Shakedown or Legitimate: Sharpe's lawyer, Lanny Davis, says this is just a shakedown. But the woman says, "What had once been manipulation, control and intimidation now became something far more dangerous and sinister. Sharpe even figured out how to get into Doe’s apartment complex without her permission." These allegations paint a picture of a violent, controlling man. Others may argue, if he was so violent and scary, why didn't she call the police?
3. Victim Smearing: Sharpe's lawyer issued a statement: "Mr. Sharpe categorically denies all allegations of coercion or misconduct -- especially the gross lie of 'rape' -- and will not submit to what he sees as an egregious attempt at blackmail." This is a common tactic of defense lawyers, early on, to scare the victim out of proceeding further or to taint the jury pool. Also, the statement reveals potential pre-suit communications where her lawyers most likely sent a demand letter where they threatened to file suit, and Sharpe refused to settle the matter. If you are a victim, expect to be smeared, but do not let that tactic scare you away from standing up for yourself.
4. Evidence: It's always important to preserve text messages, videos, receipts, pictures, really anything that you may need to help you prove your case. Text messages are already being shared in the public, as a way to sway public opinion.

Tamara Holder Law is an international women's rights firm, based in Chicago, Illinois, that represents women in lawsuits that encompass various forms of sexual abuse including: trafficking, doctor-patient misconduct, fraternity rape, and workplace sexual harassment and relationships that involve coercive control and abuse.

You may contact us at any time: intake@tamaraholder.com or 312-440-9000.

We are seeking information about Dr. Oscar Mendez. Dr. Mendez was suspended  from practicing medicine, and then reinstated in 2012. If you were a patient of Dr. Oscar Mendez, please contact us for a confidential call:

312-440-9000

contact@tamaraholder.com