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University of Michigan IFC Cancels Fraternity Activities

This is an interesting twist- IFC is doing it proactively.

https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ha...vities-n819746

I'm proud of them for doing this. I'm not proud of the things they've allegedly done that led them to do this, but at least now they realize that things have gotten out of hand and something needs to happen before someone gets really hurt or worse.

So on a campus of tens of thousands, they had a grand total of 30 hospital trips, only a portion of which are attributable to Greek Life. I would assume that the chapter participating in the drugging is now shut down or on its way to being shut down.

I really hate to see hospital trips used against our organizations as doing so discourages our actives from seeking medical attention from members or guests who may have overindulged.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin (Post 2447189)

My understanding is that one chapter was responsible for a third of those hospital trips. That's not insignificant. All it takes is one person to get very hurt and the entire system will be shut down. I'm glad they realize there is a problem and are being proactive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation (Post 2447191)

My understanding is that one chapter was responsible for a third of those hospital trips. That's not insignificant.

Quote:

All it takes is one person to get very hurt and the entire system will be shut down. I'm glad they realize there is a problem and are being proactive.

I'm not sure how shutting down because something might happen is proactive. Suspending official activities of fraternities is not going to stop underage drinking nor will it stop 18-21 year olds from making poor decisions in the moment. Suspending these organizations will, however, for example, remove the degree of organization and caution which prompted that organization to ensure 10 ambulances were called to their event despite I'm sure being fully aware of the heat that would bring down on them.

And now they have a lose-lose at Michigan. If they suspend activities and nothing bad happens, they did just suspend activities and everyone is playing catch up in the Spring. If activities are suspended and something bad happens anyway, then it will be said things are so out of control that the IFC system is beyond even its own control.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin (Post 2447192)

I'd be very interested to know the particulars, but if there were 10 hospital trips, while guests and members may have overindulged, it appears there was someone cautious and responsible enough to seek medical attention for those who needed it. I'm not saying that excuses everything else, but one thing which was lacking in I want to say all of the recent drug/alcohol related deaths is that medical attention was not sought until it was too late.

I'm not sure how shutting down because something might happen is proactive. Suspending official activities of fraternities is not going to stop underage drinking nor will it stop 18-21 year olds from making poor decisions in the moment. Suspending these organizations will, however, for example, remove the degree of organization and caution which prompted that organization to ensure 10 ambulances were called to their event despite I'm sure being fully aware of the heat that would bring down on them.

And now they have a lose-lose at Michigan. If they suspend activities and nothing bad happens, they did just suspend activities and everyone is playing catch up in the Spring. If activities are suspended and something bad happens anyway, then it will be said things are so out of control that the IFC system is beyond even its own control.

I understand and actually agree with all your points. I'm glad there were people with enough sense to call ambulances, even if they knew there would be negative consequences. I hope that continues. After other events in the past few years, I think Greek Life at Michigan has had a target on its back, and I think for the most part, the kids are trying their best to get things under control. I hope that by IFC shutting themselves down, maybe it will wake everyone up so that things will improve in the future. I don't know what the answer is.

Some of those chapters absolutely deserve that target on their backs. Googling certain chapters, I'm seeing a pattern of outrageous behavior which has continued over a number of years. I was shocked to see one particular group still has its charter. My very brief research tells me at least where public incidents are considered, there are a few chapters which are the real problems. Further Googling also shows those chapters raising six figure donations to deserving charities.

Agree 100% about the hospital trips. Last thing we need is people scared to call 911 in an emergency.

Every time I read this article, the way things are portrayed irks me a little more. So at Michigan, 80 instances of sexual assault were reported. Nowhere does the report attempt to explain how during that 1 year period ANY of those had anything to do with any IFC organization. I would say in terms of sexual assault reports per capita on a campus like Michigan, 80 is better (in terms of being a low number) than you'd expect.

Does any of it talk about any specific sorority?

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadokat (Post 2447206)

Does any of it talk about any specific sorority?

I believe that the hospitalized women were members of AEPhi

Quote:

Originally Posted by *winter* (Post 2447202)

Agree 100% about the hospital trips. Last thing we need is people scared to call 911 in an emergency.

Amen to this.

I was a graduate student at MIT when Scott Krueger, a FIJI pledge, died of alcohol poisoning. His "brothers" did NOT call 911 when he lost consciousness - instead, they placed him on a couch and put a wastebasket nearby for him to throw up in. That is NOT brotherhood.