The national headquarters for Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity has suspended the fraternity's chapter on the Northwestern University campus after allegations of sexual assault at the fraternity house were announced, officials confirmed Friday.

"They have to cease and desist all operations," said Brandon Weghorst, SAE spokesman.

The orders mean that the Illinois Psi-Omega of SAE cannot hold chapter meetings, attend fraternity social events or do any other activities under the SAE banner, Weghorst said. The suspension is expected to stay in place while the reported assaults are under investigation.

However, the suspension "does not mean that the chapter is closing, it doesn't mean they are booted from the house," Weghorst said.

For starters, the house is under private ownership and leased to the fraternity. It is not owned by the fraternity itself or the university. As such, any residency changes would need to be negotiated with the landlord, Weghorst said.

The SAE letters will be allowed to remain on the house while the fraternity is suspended, Weghorst said. If the campus chapter is disbanded the letters could be removed.

Also on Friday, Northwestern University spokesman Bob Rowley confirmed that the Interfraternity Council, which governs social fraternities, has suspended indefinitely all social activities for all campus fraternities.

Northwestern University students tell of sexual assault experiences during 'survivors' rally Genevieve Bookwalter

The hundreds of marchers from Northwestern University were loud and raucous Friday as they rounded Sheridan Road in Evanston, chanting for the removal of a NU fraternity where alleged sexual assaults occurred in January.

But the crowd soon stood silent, and listened with rapt attention as student...

The hundreds of marchers from Northwestern University were loud and raucous Friday as they rounded Sheridan Road in Evanston, chanting for the removal of a NU fraternity where alleged sexual assaults occurred in January.

But the crowd soon stood silent, and listened with rapt attention as student...

(Genevieve Bookwalter)

The suspensions come after Northwestern administrators last Monday issued a security alert after receiving reports that as many as four female students were possibly given a date rape drug at a Jan. 21 event at the SAE house, according to Chicago Tribune reports. Two of the women said they were sexually assaulted after receiving the drug.

The university received a second allegation the week before of a woman being sexually assaulted after receiving a date rape drug at a different fraternity house, according to Tribune reports. That fraternity has not been identified.

Northwestern's Student Government Association on Wednesday called for the suspension of SAE and any other fraternities involved in the reported assaults.

gbookwalter@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @GenevieveBook

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