Woman sues University of Chicago fraternity over alleged sexual assault

Overview

Updated 1 hour ago

A 19-year-old University of Chicago student filed a lawsuit Monday alleging an Alpha Delta Phi member raped her during a fraternity party in February. The complaint says the chapter has drawn sexual assault reports since 2009, and that neither the national fraternity nor the university put meaningful safeguards in place.

The suit arrives alongside a Chicago police investigation into a separate reported assault at a nearby University of Chicago fraternity. A reported gang rape at Cornell has fueled a national debate over Greek life. The university is named as a respondent in discovery, which could pull the school into the case as a defendant.

Why it matters

The suit could force the University of Chicago to answer for fraternity conduct it says it doesn't regulate, shifting how Greek life handles assault.

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Key Indicators

17 years

Of sexual assault reports cited at the Alpha Delta Phi chapter

The lawsuit cites reports dating to January 2009, when two assaults were reported five days apart.

UChicago fraternity assault cases under scrutiny in fall 2026

The Alpha Delta Phi lawsuit and a Chicago police investigation into an Alpha Epsilon Pi report.

2009

Earliest year of cited assault reports at the chapter

Two assaults reported five days apart at the chapter house in January 2009.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

Ever wondered what historical figures would say about today's headlines?

People Involved

Jane Doe

Plaintiff in civil suit; 19-year-old University of Chicago student

Civil plaintiff; police investigation into her report remains open

Kevin Shim

Alpha Delta Phi member named as the alleged assailant

Named in civil suit; no criminal charges filed

Michael Grieco

Founding partner, Gould Grieco & Hensley; lead attorney for Jane Doe

Representing the plaintiff

Georgia Booth

Attorney, Gould Grieco & Hensley

Representing the plaintiff

Organizations Involved

Alpha Delta Phi

National fraternity

Defendant in civil suit; suspended the member involved

National fraternity whose University of Chicago chapter is at the center of the lawsuit.

Chicago Society of Alpha Delta Phi

University of Chicago fraternity chapter

Defendant in civil suit

The chapter house at 5747 S. University Ave. where the alleged assault occurred.

University of Chicago

Private research university

Named as respondent in discovery, not a defendant

The university says it does not officially recognize or regulate its Greek organizations.

Chicago Police Department

Municipal police force

Investigating the February report and an October report at a nearby fraternity

Opened an investigation into Jane Doe's report and a separate report at Alpha Epsilon Pi.

Gould Grieco & Hensley

Law firm

Plaintiff's counsel

Law firm representing Jane Doe in the civil suit.

Timeline

2009 October 2026

8 events Latest: Today

Tap a bar to jump to that date

October 2026
Fraternity and university respond
Today Statement

Alpha Delta Phi says member suspended; university says it will cooperate with the investigation.
Today
Lawsuit filed against Alpha Delta Phi
Legal

Woman sues Alpha Delta Phi in Cook County court over February assault; cites reports dating to 2009.
Yesterday
Police open Alpha Epsilon Pi probe
Investigation

Chicago police open investigation into reported assault at Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house.
October 2026
February 2026
Woman reports assault to police
Investigation

Woman reports assault to Chicago police after finding bloodstains in her underwear.
February 8th, 2026
Woman alleges rape at fraternity party
Allegation

19-year-old woman alleges an Alpha Delta Phi member raped her at a party.
February 7th, 2026
September 2022
Instagram post describes house assault
Allegation

Instagram account @shareyourstoryuchicago posts about a sexual assault at the house and asks for probation.
September 2022
January 2009
Two assaults reported at fraternity house
Allegation

Two sexual assaults reported five days apart at the Alpha Delta Phi house.
January 2009
2009
Police probe 'Bar Night' assault
Investigation

Police investigate an assault tied to the chapter's weekly 'Bar Night' gathering; victim taken to emergency room by ambulance.
2009

Scenarios

Shim faces criminal charges in UChicago assault

Possible Resolves by Apr 19, 2027

Discussed by: Plaintiff's attorneys, who told CBS Chicago they hope the civil suit helps bring criminal charges

Chicago police confirmed the investigation into the February report remains open. If detectives gather enough evidence, the Cook County State's Attorney could charge Kevin Shim. The civil suit could pressure that process by forcing the fraternity to answer questions under oath about the incident and its history.

Alpha Delta Phi settles Jane Doe's lawsuit

Possible Resolves by Oct 19, 2027

Discussed by: Common outcome in fraternity sexual assault civil suits; not publicly predicted

The national fraternity and its Chicago chapter could settle to avoid discovery and a trial that would expose internal records about past reports. The lawsuit seeks damages for physical injuries, emotional distress, and ongoing psychological harm. Attorney Michael Grieco said the fraternity must 'answer under oath,' signaling the case will likely reach discovery.

University of Chicago added as defendant

Uncertain Resolves by Oct 19, 2027

Discussed by: Lawsuit names the university as a respondent in discovery, per CBS Chicago and FOX 32

Discovery could show the university knew about assault reports at the chapter and failed to act despite controlling the housing. Plaintiff's attorneys could then move to add UChicago as a defendant. The university says it doesn't regulate fraternities, a position the case could test.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

May 2016

Baylor University (2016)

Pepper Hamilton, a law firm hired by Baylor's board, found the university failed to comply with Title IX in handling sexual assault reports, many involving football players. The board fired head coach Art Briles and removed President Ken Starr.

Then

Baylor faced Title IX lawsuits from women who said they were assaulted and a federal investigation into its handling of reports.

Now

Baylor became a benchmark for how universities can face major consequences for mishandling assault reports, prompting policy reviews at other schools.

Why this matters now

The lawsuit against Alpha Delta Phi makes a similar claim: that reports were ignored for years. How UChicago responds to the case will be compared to Baylor's reckoning.

November 2014

University of Virginia / Rolling Stone (2014)

Rolling Stone published 'A Rape on Campus,' describing a gang rape at a University of Virginia fraternity. The account fell apart under scrutiny; the magazine retracted it and settled a defamation suit.

Then

The retraction sparked backlash against campus assault claims and concerns that it would discourage real victims from reporting.

Now

The episode pushed news organizations to tighten verification standards for assault reporting and fueled debate about due process in campus cases.

Why this matters now

The current UChicago case involves specific allegations and an open police investigation. The Rolling Stone saga shows how a high-profile fraternity assault story can shape public debate and how scrutiny cuts both ways.