Sanguine et Purpure

The Chronicle of Higher Education
April 1, 2005

Fraternity Leaders Oppose Rule That Would Postpone Rush Activities in Bid to Curb Alcohol Abuse

ELIZABETH F. FARRELL

National and local fraternity leaders have denounced new standards meant to curb drinking and hazing at the University of Colorado at Boulder.University officials came under increased pressure to respond to fraternity problems following the alcohol-related death of a freshman pledge, Lynn Gordon Bailey Jr., at Boulder's Chi Psi house in September. Administrators at Boulder approved the standards this month and said Greek organizations would lose their university privileges if they did not agree to the new rules by April 29.

Representatives of the North American Interfraternity Conference, which represents 5,000 fraternity chapters, said they had no problem with several of the rules. Among those are standards requiring fraternities and sororities to have a staff member in residence at their houses, follow all local and national laws, and meet the academic standards set forth by their national chapters.But the groups oppose an additional condition that would require them to postpone rush activities for new members until the spring semester.

Traditionally, freshman rush takes place during the fall semester. University administrators say that delaying rush would give students more time to adjust to college life and make informed decisions about joining fraternities and sororities. They also contend that students need more time to concentrate on the academic demands of college before they get involved in fraternity and sorority pledging events. "With a full semester under their belt, perhaps they will make better choices if or when they are put in challenging situations that they aren't comfortable with," said Laura Strohminger, director of the Greek Liaison Office at Boulder.

About 160 of the 800 colleges with Greek systems have a rule postponing rush until the spring, and many have imposed the standard recently in an effort to limit hazing and alcohol-related problems.

Fraternities at Boulder, however, have garnered support from their national organizations to oppose the postponement policy.

"That rule is not going to solve issues of alcohol abuse," said Jon Williamson, executive vice president of the North American Interfraternity Conference. "In addition, we feel that it takes away students' constitutional right of freedom of association....What's stopping them from deciding that rush can be postponed until six weeks before graduation?"

Ms. Strohminger said that some fraternity leaders were concerned that postponing rush would result in less student interest in their organizations. Many fraternities have struggled recently with dwindling membership nationwide."We will be meeting with each fraternity individually to discuss" the changes, Ms. Strohminger said.

Copyright 2005 The Chronicle of Higher Education