Six campus fraternities recently withdrew their participation from this year’s Homecoming events.
Only Kappa Sigma has sent official notice confirming its participation. Although Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Alpha Epsilon are still sending representatives for Homecoming king, both fraternities are united with the other four non-participants in a complete withdrawal.
A group of fraternity representatives met Tuesday night to express the reasons for their decision.
“We’re not participating in Homecoming except for the philanthropic events,” said Brett Baker, Interfraternity Council president and Lambda Chi member.
Even some philanthropic events, however, are part of the campaign of non-participation, with exception of the Up ‘Til Dawn letter-writing event. Lambda Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha and Sigma Nu, are planning to run their own blood and canned food drives.
“Our point in not participating in these events is not to spite the university,” said Ryan Desmond, SAE member.
In a meeting, about a dozen members of the fraternity non-participation campaign expressed concern about unfair treatment in regards to disciplinary measures taken against fraternities.
“It seems like they’re out to get us,” said SAE member Bennett Gibbs, referring to the campus Greek life office. “Rather than to better Greek life we feel like they’re there for disciplinary action.”
Enforcing disciplinary pol-icy toward fraternities is the responsibility of the Student Organization Resource Cen-ter, particularly the Greek Life and Community Service Programs. However, actual disciplinary rulings are handed down from a separate judicial board.
“Their perception, I think, is flawed,” said Joy Fulkerson, coordinator for service programs and Greek life, addressing the claims of unfair treatment. “I’m not sure why they feel [non-participation] is a necessary step.”
Dr. Joe Sherlin, dean of students, was empathetic towards the fraternities but pointed out that almost no fraternity members had made any official attempt to express their concerns.
“I think they have genuine concerns,” said Sherlin, “and I think they are not happy about a variety of issues.”
Sherlin cited the creation of a task force to address the issue as the first step taken by the university to restore harmony.
Many fraternity members are unsatisfied with univer-sity policy on alcohol consumption in fraternity houses.
Graduate assistants to the Greek life office are obligated to respond to complaints made against campus fraternities. This means anyone, including fellow or rival members, could potentially snitch on gatherings that include the consumption of alcohol, even if there are only two people present.
“There has been an increase in disciplinary sanctions and the amount of time I spend checking on fraternities,” said Gary Carver, graduate assistant to the Greek life office. Many fraternity members are under the impression that three or more people in the presence of alcohol constitutes an ‘event,’ which would require appropriate paperwork ahead of time.
“Any gathering of three or four people is considered an event, and we’ve been in trouble because of an anonymous call saying there’s a party going on,” Desmond said. “If we followed the rules we would have to fill out a sheet of paper every single night.”
Fulkerson said, “Unfortu-nately there is no clear line.”We’re not talking about a fraternity receiving a sanction because there were three men involved.”
Many fraternity members are frustrated with the lack of disciplinary responsibility given to the Greek community.
“We’re self-sustaining,” said Brian Broyles, Pi Kappa Alpha president. “We govern ourselves and make sure we do what we’re supposed to do.”
Claims have been made by the Interfraternity Council and other Greek members that the university decides at its leisure which disciplinary problems can be handled by the Greek community and which can be handled by the judicial board.
“I’m either totally in charge of it, and if it doesn’t happen it’s all on me,” Baker said. “And in the next case I’m not even privy to the information of the trial.”
Fulkerson said, “We would love for them to govern themselves … The women pretty much do govern themselves because they’ve got their act together.”
Tricia Nguyen, director of student activities, cited a lack of organization among the fraternities as the reason for the university’s policy.
“Once our men realize that they are only as strong as their weakest chapter, then they will be ready to govern themselves,” Nguyen said.
Homecoming, meanwhile, is still scheduled to take place as planned, and although the loss of money was initially a concern, little, if any monetary loss has been noted. “We will be as resourceful as we can,” said Zarah Cochran, SGA Homecoming chair. “I don’t want students to think we’re wasting their money.

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