CU-Boulder's Greek system was surprised to learn they will be required to agree to a policy of Deferred Rush and live-in advisors.
The new policy, dubbed a "fraternal organization agreement," will spell out expectations that must be met in order for Greek organizations to receive university benefits. Specifically, it would force Greek life to schedule rush activities "as determined by the university," meaning freshmen would have to wait until spring semester to join a Greek organization.
It would also force each Greek organization to have a full-time, live-in staff member in the chapter house and prohibit underage alcohol consumption at all Greek events.
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The topic first reared its head in September in a speech by Chancellor Richard Byyny to the university community following the alcohol-poisoning death of Chi Psi freshman pledge Lynn "Gordie" Bailey.
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[I]n a Saturday letter to the Colorado Daily, Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity Vice President for Member Development Andrew Comer said it isn't fair to compare the actions of the Chi Psi house to other CU fraternities.
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Comer said since Sigma Phi Epsilon's re-founding in 2000, the fraternity has not had any problems remotely like those of the Chi Psi house - involving drinking emergencies or police. He said the men of the house consistently maintain high G.P.A.'s and engage in philanthropic service.
"Demanding that we defer our rush and accommodate live-in 'advisors' is simply absurd for a group of upstanding adults," Comer wrote. "There are real problems that demand real solutions; not drastic changes in policy that are based around generalizations and ignore basic truths about many of the fraternities on CU's campus."
