Fraternity Liability

INTRODUCTION

The stereotypical image of a fraternity depicts a scene from Animal House:' a group of men running around drinking and causing chaos. Although Animal House was filmed in the 1970s, this image of fraternities still exists today. Over the past two decades, as the concern over hazing,' binge drinking, violence and sexual assault on college campuses has risen, fraternities have been the subject of increased litigation. Litigation against fraternities has resulted in enormous civil damages paid to injured plaintiffs, often involving multiple parties including the local chapter, the national chapter, the college and the individual defendant fraternity members who cause the injury It is time for both national and local fraternity chapters, as well as the colleges, to take a role in preventing these injuries. When these measures fail, all three of these institutions should bear the responsibility. The courts should recognize the current relationship between universities and students. Until now, universities have successfully avoided liability for fraternity-related injuries...