[exlurker]

http://breezejmu.org/2010/09/07/gree...-on-probation/

Excerpts from article:
Greek life on probation September 7, 2010 • By Ryan Platt,
HARRSIONBURG, Va. — All 24 social Greek organizations at JMU are on social probation until Oct. 5.

As of Thursday, 15 fraternities and nine sororities have been placed under social probation to rewrite their policies “to specifically address the areas of social events where alcohol may be present,” according to Paul Whatley, coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

FSL staff in consultation with several chapter advisers and other university administrators came to an agreement for the probation, Whatley said.

According to Whatley, the reasoning behind the probation period was due to current suspension of policies regarding social events, which are likely to involve alcohol, as well as FSL judicial procedures for holding organizations accountable.

[It] “was a decision rooted in many incidents that have occurred over the past 12 months,” Whatley said.


. . . An e-mail sent to members of fraternities and sororities, obtained by The Breeze, included a one-page report on specific parameters that must be addressed in the new policies, including a guest list limit, a process for monitoring social gatherings and a definition of a party.

According to the e-mail, the social probation prohibits Greek organizations from “engaging, hosting, participating, financing, supporting or otherwise endorsing events where alcohol is present.”

Any violation of the probation regulations will result in a hearing with a judicial board composed of chapter advisers who will review the violations on a case-by-case instance.

The response from the Greek community itself has been a mix of uncertainty, confusion and even anger.

Katie Nowell, a junior health service administration major and president of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, explained the general situation and reaction from fraternities and sororities.

“I feel like there have been a lot of issues in Greek life, and it’s sort of been unsettling for a while,” Nowell said. “It’s kind of reached the breaking point. There were not necessarily any charges to certain organizations, it’s more like a problem within Greek life as a whole.”

. . . “Basically [the administration is] challenging the entire Greek community,” Nowell said. “They’re saying ‘Look, this is your sorority. What do you want to do with it? How do you want to change it?’ They want one cohesive group of Greek members trying to better the entire community.”

Nowell expressed the general willingness in ZTA to improve the situation, which seems to be shared across the rest of the Greek community.

Max Sedghi, a junior finance major, member of Sigma Chi and vice president of administration for the Interfraternity Council, explained the willingness of the Greek community to cooperate and move in a positive direction.

“We’re working with JMU to create a safer environment. And we’re completely willing to work with [Fraternity and Sorority Life],” Sedghi said.

However, he added that bringing up the need for changes was poor timing on part of FSL. Fraternity recruitment starts on Sept. 10 and sorority recruitment begins Sept. 22, according to the FSL website.

“We just don’t appreciate them doing this right now,” Sedghi said. “They had all summer to address the issue with us and work it out then, but they brought it up now.”

Sedghi expressed concern for the effect of the probation on potential pledge candidates.

Nowell, however, felt that rush would go unaffected.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s a concern, because if they’re joining for strictly the social aspect of the sorority, then they’re joining for the wrong reason,” Nowell said. “I’m not concerned about losing the girls who just want to go to parties.” . . .