Inside fraternities and why they are so important to US colleges

New York state police have announced they will take charge of future sexual assault investigations at Cornell University in the latest fallout over the university's handling of an alleged gang rape on campus.

It comes as the university's faculty undertook a vote of no confidence in the school's administration over how it handled the allegation, with the results expected on November 6.

The alleged Cornell University incident in 2024 is not isolated, with the Associated Press reporting police were investigating allegations of sexual assault at a fraternity party at the University of Chicago on October 11.

A female student at the University of Arizona alleged she was sexually assaulted by two men at a fraternity house on August 26, according to AP.

A few weeks later, on October 8, the University of Arizona suspended fraternity activity after reports of hazing and sexual misconduct.

According to the AP, previous hazing at the university's fraternities included forcing new members to consume large quantities of alcohol, as well as live goldfish.

Australian attitudes to fraternities, also known as frats, have been mostly shaped by popular culture, but what are fraternities really? And why are they so ingrained in higher education in the US?

Social fraternities or sororities are exclusive clubs for undergraduate students who can live together, socialise together and participate in traditions, usually in a same-sex environment.

Kimberly Davis, data analyst at Pennsylvania State University's Piazza Centre for Fraternity and Sorority Research, said fraternities were "often built around a shared identity" and members could maintain fraternity relationships "long after graduation".

The first fraternity-like organisation was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, but they became much more popular across the US by the mid 1800s, according to Dr Davis.

Dr Davis said on a practical level, fraternities provided additional residential options for university campuses.

She said fraternities were also "valuable partners" for universities to foster leadership development, student involvement in community activities, service and philanthropy.

"The friendships and communities that fraternities create also offer benefits for universities," she said.

"Alumni who have favourable fraternity experiences often associate their experiences with the university, which in turn encourages alumni to stay connected to the institution through alumni mentor ship and financial donations."

According to a 2019 survey by the Association of American Universities, 10 per cent of undergraduate women who reported being raped said the incident occurred at a fraternity house, and 20 per cent of women reporting unwanted sexual touching said it occurred in a fraternity house.

6.4 per cent of men and 6.7 per cent of transgender, gender queer or questioning students who reported being raped said the incident occurred in a fraternity house, and just under 10 per cent of men and 12.6 per cent queer students reported unwanted sexual touching.

Dr Davis said fraternities did not contribute to a culture of sexual violence by design, but "that does not mean that fraternity environments cannot contribute to risk".

"Some organisational environments can normalise attitudes and behaviours that increase the risk of sexual violence," she said.

"A chapter that prioritises accountability, healthy relationships, and intervention can create a very different environment from one that normalises excessive alcohol use or tolerates harmful behaviour."

As well as sexual assault allegations, fraternities are also often associated with hazing.

The University of Colorado defines hazing as any activity that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers someone, regardless of consent, as condition for entering an organisation.

The Pennsylvania State University Piazza Centre is named after student Timothy Piazza, who died as the result of a hazing incident at the university's Beta Theta Pi fraternity.

Mr Piazza was given at least 18 drinks in 82 minutes, according to prosecutors, and fell down the fraternity house stairs, becoming unconscious.

He later died from a head injury after a delayed response by bystanders.

Hazing prevention organisation HazingInfo's database indicates about five deaths per year have been reported in the US since 2000.

In Australia, the frat niche is filled by residential colleges, which provide accommodation, meals, academic support and social activities for residents.

Southern Cross University professor Elizabeth Mackinlay said instances of sexual harassment, assault and violence persisted at Australian residential colleges.

She said under-reporting continued at a concerning level, because students feared potential consequences for them and those responsible.

Professor Mackinlay said what Australian residential colleges and US fraternities had in common was hazing.

Hazing, abuse and misogyny have been reported at some residential colleges, including at Sydney University when, in 2018, allegations emerged of sexual assault, excessive alcohol consumption and other incidents.

In 2024, the City of Sydney council recommended the abolition of the University of Sydney's Residential Colleges after an incident at St Paul's College "where 6 students were expelled and a further 21 suspended after engaging in acts of 'serious humiliation' and sexual violence against a student".

Professor Mackinlay said the issues reported at Cornell University, the University of Arizona and St Paul's College she experienced herself during her time at university in the late 80s and 90s.

"The alcohol abuse, the degradation, rape, everything happened," she said.

Professor Mackinlay said the culture of hazing and alcohol abuse had to change and "cultural norms around respectful relationships have to be in place and reinforced".

"If there's gender-based violence, there's a good chance that you're going to have to sit at the breakfast table in halls the next morning with the perpetrator there," she said.