U of M sets end of IFC suspension
By: Beth Spencer
Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: News
After the 10 fraternities in the Interfraternity Council were suspended for illegal activities last week, University of Memphis officials said yesterday that the suspension would be lifted after some of the fraternity members take a risk management class on Nov. 23.
A portion of each fraternity must attend the seminar, which will explain national and campus policies about managing social events and keeping risks and liabilities down.
"It involves keeping people safe and making sure they don't get into situations that could be harmful to others or fraternity members," said William Porter, dean of students. "We expect that, going forward, the groups are going to do a better job of managing their events."
Keeping fraternity gatherings safe was the main concern that prompted the suspension, said Justin Lawhead, associate dean for leadership and involvement.
"We studied the types of activities they were having, and we weren't comfortable hosting these types of events until a risk management seminar was administered," he said. "The reaction has been mixed."
A plethora of police reports involving underage drinking, vandalism and a fire prompted the suspension, which also applies to fraternities not involved in the incidents, Porter said.
Police recently arrested three Kappa Alpha fraternity pledges, who were below the legal drinking age, for trying to steal a horse head statue while intoxicated. Earlier this semester, members of Zeta Beta Tau found three red swastikas painted on a house they were interested in buying.
"It got to a tipping point where it involved all, and not just individual, groups," Porter said. "We have to get people's attention, and that's why we've done this. In general, they were not really managing their social affairs very well."
Some fraternity members said the decision to suspend all fraternities, including those who haven't broken any laws, was unfair to Greeks who have stayed out of trouble.
A portion of each fraternity must attend the seminar, which will explain national and campus policies about managing social events and keeping risks and liabilities down.
"It involves keeping people safe and making sure they don't get into situations that could be harmful to others or fraternity members," said William Porter, dean of students. "We expect that, going forward, the groups are going to do a better job of managing their events."
Keeping fraternity gatherings safe was the main concern that prompted the suspension, said Justin Lawhead, associate dean for leadership and involvement.
"We studied the types of activities they were having, and we weren't comfortable hosting these types of events until a risk management seminar was administered," he said. "The reaction has been mixed."
A plethora of police reports involving underage drinking, vandalism and a fire prompted the suspension, which also applies to fraternities not involved in the incidents, Porter said.
Police recently arrested three Kappa Alpha fraternity pledges, who were below the legal drinking age, for trying to steal a horse head statue while intoxicated. Earlier this semester, members of Zeta Beta Tau found three red swastikas painted on a house they were interested in buying.
"It got to a tipping point where it involved all, and not just individual, groups," Porter said. "We have to get people's attention, and that's why we've done this. In general, they were not really managing their social affairs very well."
Some fraternity members said the decision to suspend all fraternities, including those who haven't broken any laws, was unfair to Greeks who have stayed out of trouble.