‘Why are we trying to preserve the system at all?’: Gee and Ursula question Greek life after UW fraternity rape lawsuit

A woman raped at a University of Washington (UW) fraternity house in 2022 is suing UW, alleging it failed to protect her despite knowing about an earlier allegation involving the man convicted of assaulting her. UW disputes the significance of the earlier temporary restraining order, saying it had expired before the people involved enrolled at the university.

The lawsuit prompted co-host Gee Scott to criticize universities’ relationships with Greek organizations during “The Gee and Ursula Show” on KIRO Newsradio, while co-host Ursula Reutin questioned whether the fraternity system should be preserved.

“These universities benefit from Greek life, and then when there are problems, you act like, ‘Oh, well, we had no idea,’” Gee said. “No, no, no. Anything that happens with Greek life, the university should be directly responsible for.”

Lawsuit raises questions about UW’s responsibility

The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court in 2025, alleges UW failed to adequately regulate, monitor, or restrict Wyatt Ohara before the assault. Ohara pleaded guilty to third-degree rape in 2024, according to the plaintiff’s attorneys.

UW investigated the assault and began its student disciplinary proceedings. The university said Ohara was permanently withdrawn and cannot re-enroll.

Gee argued that universities should not distance themselves from organizations they recognize.

“I don’t know how many times it’s got to happen. For so many years, Greek life has had something happen. ‘Oh, well, that was just that. Oh, that was just that,’” Gee said. “And this isn’t just here locally. It’s all around the country. Greek life, period, gets away with a lot of stuff because universities benefit from them.”

Ursula discusses her family’s fraternity experiences

Ursula agreed with Gee’s concerns as she described her family’s involvement in the Greek system.

“I say this as the mother of two fraternity members and the wife of a fraternity member,” Ursula said. “They are very aware of the shortcomings, but they also are very aware of things that they say they appreciated about Greek life.”

When asked about those benefits, Ursula explained the social connections and professional relationships.

“Social life, a feeling of belonging when you go to a university that is very big, coming from a much smaller experience at a high school,” Ursula said. “Also, networking, very real. Some of those networks are very strong.”

Hosts question continued university recognition

The plaintiff’s attorneys cite a July Washington Supreme Court decision involving Sam Martinez, who died after a Washington State University fraternity hazing incident, in arguing that UW owed their client a duty of care. UW’s liability in this case remains unresolved.

Ursula questioned whether improving safety within the existing structure should be universities’ only response.

“At some point, the universities have to stop asking how to make fraternities safer and ask a more basic question, which is why are we trying to preserve the system at all?” Ursula said. “The universities choose to recognize these organizations. They give them legitimacy and make them part of campus life.”

What would a successful lawsuit mean for other schools?

“If this is a lawsuit that is successful, I think you’re going to see a lot of universities saying, ‘Yeah, no, we’re out,’” Ursula said.

Watch the full discussion in the video above.

Listen to Gee and Ursula on “The Gee and Ursula Show” weekday mornings from 9 am to 12 pm on KIRO Newsradio.