Duke ADPhi suspended as Durham Police investigates sexual assault claim

The Durham Police Department is investigating a claim of sexual assault at a party held off-campus by Alpha Delta Phi, and the University has suspended the fraternity in the interim.

"Duke University is cooperating with the Durham Police Department in the investigation of an alleged sexual assault of a Duke student at an off-campus private residence that is leased by members of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity. Pursuant to Duke’s policy, the fraternity has been placed on interim suspension until further notice. As this case is now being actively investigated by the Durham Police Department, Duke will not have any further comment at this time," the University said in a statement.

DPD announced that it was investigating the claim at a news conference Tuesday morning. The alleged incident took place Jan. 8.

Richard Schmalbeck, the chapter's adviser and the Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Professor at the Duke School of Law, said he had not been informed of the allegations or investigation before Tuesday.

These allegations come slightly over a year after Alpha Delta Phi was permitted to Duke's Interfraternity Council. In Fall 2013, the fraternity was officially recognized by the University after previously being denied recognition. The chapter has been a part of the national Alpha Delta Phi organization since 2006.

The 2013 announcement came after a long history of changes for Duke's Alpha Delta Phi. The group was originally chartered on Duke’s campus as Sigma Alpha Epsilon. SAE, however, was expelled from the national fraternity in 2002 for violating rules regarding risk management, such as hazing and illegal alcohol use. As a consequence, the chapter was immediately disaffiliated from Duke.

After moving off campus, the fraternity assumed the name Delta Phi Alpha. Four years later, the fraternity was adopted by Alpha Delta Phi as part of the national organization’s effort to expand to more elite institutions. SAE was recolonized in 2008 with an entirely new set of members.

The Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life declined to comment via phone.

Check back for updates on this developing story. The article was updated at 1:35 p.m. Tuesday to include information from Richard Schmalbeck.

Rachel Chason contributed reporting.

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