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Woman sues University of Chicago fraternity over alleged sexual assault

Woman sues University of Chicago fraternity over alleged sexual assault

Rule Changes Chicago, IL local

Lawsuit cites assault reports at the chapter dating to 2009; accused member stayed in the fraternity for months, report finds

October 24th, 2026: Report: accused member stayed in fraternity for months

Overview

Updated Oct 25

A 19-year-old woman who is not a University of Chicago student sued the school's Alpha Delta Phi chapter on Oct. 19 over a February rape she says a member committed at the house. Her lawsuit says the chapter has drawn sexual assault reports since 2009, and a campus safety meeting on Oct. 21 drew calls for answers.

The Chicago Maroon reported on Oct. 24 that Kevin Shim, the member named in the suit, stayed on a chapter party invitation and in chapter photos months after the assault was reported. He moved out of university housing on Oct. 20. Alpha Delta Phi says it suspended him but has not said when, and no charges have been filed in either police investigation.

Why it matters

The case tests whether a university that says it does not regulate fraternities can still be forced to answer for them.

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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.
2
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.
0
People charged in either case
Chicago police say both investigations remain open; no one has been charged.
2009
Earliest year of cited assault reports at the chapter
Two assaults reported five days apart at the chapter house in January 2009.

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People Involved

JD
Jane Doe
Plaintiff in civil suit; 19-year-old who attends a different university
Civil plaintiff; police investigation into her report remains open
KS
Kevin Shim
Alpha Delta Phi member named as the alleged assailant
Named in the lawsuit; no criminal charges; moved out of university housing Oct. 20
MG
Michael Grieco
Founding partner, Gould Grieco & Hensley; lead attorney for Jane Doe
Representing the plaintiff
GB
Georgia Booth
Attorney, Gould Grieco & Hensley
Representing the plaintiff
SE
Steve Ehrfurth
Executive director, Alpha Delta Phi national organization
Said the member was suspended; has not said when

Organizations Involved

Alpha Delta Phi
Alpha Delta Phi
National fraternity
Defendant in the suit; says it suspended the member but has not said when

National fraternity whose University of Chicago chapter is at the center of the lawsuit.
CS
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
University of Chicago
Private research university
Respondent in discovery; hosted a campus safety meeting Oct. 21; has not answered questions about the accused member's enrollment

The university says it does not officially recognize or regulate its Greek organizations.
Chicago Police Department
Chicago Police Department
Municipal Police Department
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
Gould Grieco & Hensley
Law firm
Plaintiff's counsel

Law firm representing Jane Doe in the civil suit.
PA
UChicago Panhellenic Association
Sorority governing body
Issued a statement Oct. 21 condemning the reported assaults

The organizing body for sororities at the University of Chicago.

Timeline

2009 October 2026

13 events Latest: October 24th, 2026 · 3 weeks ago Showing 8 of 13
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Report: accused member stayed in fraternity for months

    Latest Investigation

    The Chicago Maroon reported that Kevin Shim appeared on an invitation to a chapter social event and in chapter Instagram photos after the February assault was reported, and that the national organization would not say when his suspension began.

  2. Campus safety meeting presses for answers

    Meeting

    The University of Chicago hosted a campus safety meeting two days after the lawsuit was filed, and its safety council pressed officials for answers on the fraternity reports.

  3. Sororities condemn reported assaults

    Statement

    The UChicago Panhellenic Association, which organizes campus sororities, issued a statement condemning the assaults reported at the Alpha Delta Phi and Alpha Epsilon Pi houses.

  4. Fraternity and university respond

    Statement

    Alpha Delta Phi says member suspended; university says it will cooperate with the investigation.

  5. Accused member leaves university housing

    Development

    Kevin Shim moved out of his dorm room, according to multiple people familiar with the situation; the Maroon confirmed it on Oct. 23.

  6. Lawsuit filed against Alpha Delta Phi

    Legal

    Woman sues Alpha Delta Phi in Cook County court over February assault; cites reports dating to 2009.

  7. Woman reports assault at Alpha Epsilon Pi house

    Allegation

    A 21-year-old woman told police she was sexually assaulted in a basement bathroom at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house early Oct. 11. A police report obtained by the Tribune says men cheered outside the bathroom and blocked the door.

  8. Police open Alpha Epsilon Pi probe

    Investigation

    Chicago police open investigation into reported assault at Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house.

  9. Woman reports assault to police

    Investigation

    Woman reports assault to Chicago police after finding bloodstains in her underwear.

  10. Woman alleges rape at fraternity party

    Allegation

    A 19-year-old woman says an Alpha Delta Phi member raped her at a party. The lawsuit says chapter members guarded the staircase to the bedroom during the assault, and that the night began with a shot she told police she suspected was drugged.

  11. Instagram post describes house assault

    Allegation

    Instagram account @shareyourstoryuchicago posts about a sexual assault at the house and asks for probation.

  12. Two assaults reported at fraternity house

    Allegation

    Two sexual assaults reported five days apart at the Alpha Delta Phi house.

  13. 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.

Scenarios

1

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.

2

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.

3

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.

4

Person of interest charged in Alpha Epsilon Pi report

Uncertain Resolves by Jan 31, 2027

Discussed by: University of Chicago campus police, who said a person of interest had been identified

Campus police said a person of interest was identified in the October report at the Alpha Epsilon Pi house, a block from Alpha Delta Phi. The university said the reported victim and the alleged perpetrator are unaffiliated with the school. Any charge would come from Chicago police and the Cook County state's attorney.

5

University of Chicago changes how it oversees Greek organizations

Uncertain Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Members of the university's campus safety council, who pressed for answers at an Oct. 21 meeting

The university says fraternities are not recognized student organizations, though students remain subject to its policies. The lawsuit names the school as a respondent in discovery, and the campus safety meeting two days later put its oversight on the agenda. Any change would come from the university itself, not the court.

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.

Sources

(13)
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Chicago Sun-Times CBS Chicago FOX 32 Chicago WBEZ Chicago Block Club Chicago Chicago Maroon Hyde Park Herald ABC7 Chicago Chicago Sun-Times Chicago Maroon FOX 32 Chicago WBEZ Chicago Chicago Sun-Times