University of Maryland event addresses students rights

COLLEGE PARK, Md. ( DC News Now ) — Free speech advocates were talking to students Tuesday night at the University of Maryland (UMD). It comes after the university paused all social activities for Greek life last spring.

Nearly 200 Students attended the event at the Hotel at the University of Maryland. It was hosted by the Fraternity and Sorority Action Fund on its inaugural Constitution Day. UMD student Jackson Hochhauser was glad he came.

“We are really excited to hear from officials to learn some creative ways we can defend ourselves on campus. So it is very cool to hear from these folks who are here who came down to take time to educate all of us.” Hochhauser said.

Several speakers discussed the topic of what happened last year including former Congressman Dennis Cardoza who is a UMD graduate.

“I came here to talk about the constitution to these students, I was invited to come here to talk about their rights that I believe were violated and the University of Maryland shut them down and they didn’t have due process and that was not right.” Cardoza said.

UMD ordered fraternities and sororities to stop holding social activities after allegations of misconduct. The order comes after concerns over hazing during pledge events, Cardoza disagreed with the university’s decision.

“I love this university and think it’s a wonderful school but I am also willing to call them out when I feel they did something that was not right. We need to stand up for these students to help them defend themselves,” Cardoza said.

Cardoza told DC News Now that he is planning to continue to monitor the University of Maryland moving forward to make sure the rights of students are not violated.

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