The Inter-Fraternity Council governing board is currently working to create a set of policy reforms to submit to University President Teresa Sullivan by Dec. 31. The proposed changes must be approved before fraternities can participate in rush events in the spring, according to IFC President Tommy Reid, a fourth-year College student.
The governing board met with Sullivan Monday, following her address to the student body on the Rolling Stone article which has sparked a tidal wave of reactions across University students, administrators and faculty members.
Sullivan will review the proposed changes by Jan. 9 — the date the outstanding suspension of fraternity activities expires — and then return a decision on whether fraternity rush events will be allowed to continue.
IFC representatives are meeting with individual fraternity chapters this week to facilitate dialogue on the issue and discuss suggestions for these policy changes, Reid said. The meetings will continue until Thursday. Suggestions thus far have included the elimination of hard liquor, mandating sober brothers at each party, and locking all but downstairs rooms during fraternity events.
Sullivan announced the suspension of “all fraternal organizations and associated social activities” in an email to students Nov. 22.
In an email to chapter presidents, Associate Dean of Students Marsh Pattie clarified this to mean the prohibition of “all social (of any kind), programming, and philanthropic activities. It does not prohibit chapter members from meeting and engaging in dialogue with one another, nor does it require individuals currently living in a fraternity or sorority house from having to find other living arrangements.”
Reid said the governing board does not yet have an established date when it will submit proposed reforms.