Cara Jenkins, the Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life, said, “I have an obligation to make sure students are safe.”
[pullquote align=”right” speaker=”Cara Jenkins”]I have an obligation to make sure students are safe.[/pullquote]On Friday, Apr. 10, the Student Government Association (SGA) of West Chester University circulated a press release announcing the beginning of an investigation into the Greek Life governing councils. The Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Panhellenic Council (PHC), and the Black and Latino Greek Council (BLGC) are all under review by SGA. SGA President John Caro stated: “Students are disapproving of certain offices with WCU, as well as the governing councils of Greek Life.” Caro also said while this is not the first time SGA has conducted investigations, “this is the first time we have been pressured to perform one.” SGA has promised to release a report of their findings once their investigation is complete.
[pullquote align=”right” speaker=”John Caro”]Students are disapproving of certain offices with WCU, as well as the governing councils of Greek Life.[/pullquote]A member of a WCU fraternity said SGA’s probe into Greek life was “highly unnecessary.” The person said, “Each organization is different, and each chapter at each school is different, so to point fingers at Greek life as a whole is a little ridiculous.”
The announcement of this investigation comes one day after the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at West Chester University mandated a social moratorium to all IFC, PHC, and BLGC affiliated organizations.
As for the social moratorium imposed on Greek social activities, Jenkins said, “Fraternities and sororities aren’t doing a good enough job with risk management.”
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life has events planned to help improve Greek life risk management.
According to an official memorandum from Jenkins and Peter Galloway, Assistant Dean for Student Involvement, “the Interfraternity Council has failed to create a viable system to regulate that member organizations follow risk prevention measures when planning social events.” Also according to the email, the moratorium will be lifted after all of the governing councils, including IFC, PHC, and BLGC, have revised their risk procedures.
[pullquote align=”right”]the Interfraternity Council has failed to create a viable system to regulate that member organizations follow risk prevention measures when planning social events.[/pullquote]Many students have called for a culture change to occur on West Chester University’s campus regarding sexual assault.
Greek life across the nation is under intense scrutiny, and WCU is no exception. Last week, West Chester Borough police arrested a West Chester University student for an alleged rape at an off-campus KDR fraternity party. The Delta Chi fraternity at West Chester University is also under investigation for an alleged incident.
According to Jenkins, the steps the university has taken in order to get better control of the situation have been positively received by the national offices for Greek life.
“We sign up to be a part of something more than ourselves,” Jenkins said.
Adam Farence is a fourth-year student majoring in history and French. He can be reached at AF764146@wcupa.edu.
I find Greek life is nothing but discrimination…..it segregates and leads to a false sense of ” brother and sisterhood”. People that become a part of this are followers, not leaders……these people are not genuine true friends……if you have 2 genuine friends that’s outstanding! Who needs to be embarrassed and put into dangerous situations I order to be a part of a group that does not open their minds and hearts to all kinds of people..????? have you ever thought about that??? …….be you, yourself and not a follower…..