As part of its continued commitment to culture change and student safety, West Virginia University will offer Interfraternity Council members in good standing an exemption process for a second membership intake period to be held under strict guidelines.
“I am so proud of our students who developed the proposal and worked with us because they want to remain members of our University community,” President Gordon Gee said. “I firmly believe this will benefit their chapter growth and ultimately promote a safer and healthier environment for new member recruitment. I am hopeful the national headquarters will work with us in good faith.”
Organizations wishing to participate in this pilot program must agree to the parameters outlined by the University and commit in writing to remain an Interfraternity Council member in good standing at WVU. Recruitment activities will begin with a chapter meet-and-greet Wednesday, Oct. 24, and new member education will conclude by Friday, Nov. 16.
• Guidelines for students, including those in their first semester seeking IFC membership, must have a minimum 2.75 GPA at the time of recruitment (midterm grades will be considered).
• The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will review and approve all scheduled activities related to new member recruitment.
• The director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will meet with all new member educators to set expectations.
• All Rush events must be alcohol-free.
• IFC organizations must publicize their recruitment schedules.
• University staff will closely monitor recruitment and new member education activities.
• No new member education events will be held between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Students who receive a bid and accept membership to a chapter must participate in weekly education programs surrounding alcohol education, hazing prevention, Title IX and bystander prevention. Additionally, WVU will host a webinar for parents, the director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will meet with each chapter’s new member class and a national consultant will be on campus Oct. 24-26 to assist with implementation and assessment.
“Our students have been stellar collaborators in our efforts to achieve distinction per the Reaching the Summit: Plan for Excellences in Fraternity & Sorority Life, and this initiative will aid in fostering more direct student involvement in the needed culture change at WVU,” Director of the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life Matthew Richardson said.
If participating chapters break their commitment and members engage in behaviors that put themselves or others at risk, University Police and Office of Emergency Management will be notified and those involved will be subject to student conduct proceedings.
Additional information regarding chapter status and the guidelines for the pilot program are available at greeklife.wvu.edu.
The five social fraternities which dissociated from WVU in September are not eligible to participate and have been banned from campus for at least 10 years.
“We want to continue to give those students who are invested in these organizations at WVU the opportunity to benefit from the many positives aspects they offer,” Dean of Students Corey Farris said. “From fundraising for philanthropies to mentoring and professional development, life-long connections and friendships, this can be a positive influence in a student’s life.”
During this pilot program, WVU will also expand its commitment to anti-hazing education by creating a hazing prevention campaign currently in production.
-WVU-
ak/10/22/18
CONTACT: April Kaull, Director of News, University Relations/Communications
304.293.3990;
akaull@mail.wvu.edu