Because of the continual occurrence of policy violations, the Inter-Fraternity Council-Judiciary Council is attempting to revamp its regulatory system and tackle grievances head-on.
Specifically, the IFC-JC hopes to enforce two new structural reforms: increased enforcement of chapter standards boards in every house and the addition of creative sanctions.
Chapter standards boards will serve as mini-judiciary committees within each fraternity, comprised of house members with the purpose of decentralizing the IFC-JC's disciplinary power. Creative sanctions, which are intended to make the punishment specific to the violation, will be used as alternatives to more customary penalties, such as fines and general community service requirements.
Supporters of these initiatives see them as upholding the University's tradition of student leadership.
"The formation of chapter standards boards in each fraternity takes accountability to the next extreme," IFC public relations spokesman Ryan Ewalt said. "They bring the IFC regulations closer to home for each fraternity."
He said creative sanctions also promote responsibility through student self-governance.
Although such penalties could be perceived as an easy way out for fraternities, they may be a more effective response to infractions, said Zach Terwilliger, IFC vice president of judiciary.
"I feel that continual social probation is not going to stop problems from happening or be educational for the fraternity," Terwilliger said. "These sanctions will help fraternities follow the rules and reflect on what they have done."
By having the punishment fit the crime, fraternity members can learn, he added. For instance, if a house were to hire strippers during formal rush, its creative sanctions could include community service with women's organizations and a symposium on the immorality of strippers.
Despite the potential benefits of such changes, the reforms are a "right you have to earn," Terwilliger said. The IFC-JC still will determine whether the standards boards should address a given complaint and whether the penalty issued is appropriate and permissible. The fraternity also must provide the IFC-JC with proper documentation proving they completed the sanction.
Under the current system, standards boards actually are included in the national bylaws of many fraternities, but houses often are unaware of the policy or fail to implement it. The IFC-JC's decision to directly appeal to fraternities about the formation of these committees ultimately may result in a mandatory requirement.
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