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Poster Name:
IFC

<strong>Subject:</strong><br />wvu president response regarding fraternity life<br /><br /> Poster Message:
presidentgee.wvu.edu/messages/letter-to-wvu-family-regarding-fraternity-life Dear West Virginia University Family, I write to you with a heavy heart, as I had hoped we could come to an agreeable resolution with the fraternities that have chosen to dissociate from our University. However, we were informed that chapter activities continued. Therefore, I need to inform you of the University’s decisions and actions. In August, several fraternities sent letters stating their intent to dissociate from West Virginia University with the intent to form their own independent Interfraternity Council. Over the past six weeks, we have communicated many times with the North American Interfraternity Conference, fraternity alumni, executive directors of the national organizations, as well as with the students. The five fraternities – Alpha Sigma Phi, Kappa Alpha Order, Theta Chi, Sigma Chi and Phi Sigma Kappa – have been unhappy with University regulations enacted over the last three years, primarily a ban on recruiting first semester freshmen. Through those discussions, the University did agree to change the timing of elections and clarified the purpose and process of the Student Conduct review. Also, we remain in discussion with the local Interfraternity Council leadership and the North American Interfraternity Conference regarding deferred membership. While these conversations were taking place, the dissociated fraternities chose to ignore University policies and procedures. It has been reported that some have recruited and initiated freshmen into their ranks. Despite discussions with national leadership and student leaders, several of the fraternities chose to continue with their membership programs, ultimately putting students at risk. When a fraternity loses recognition from the University it means the fraternity can no longer participate in the WVU-recognized Interfraternity Council or any of its sponsored programs. Chapters also are not allowed to participate in programs sponsored by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, such as Homecoming or Greek Week. Chapters may not participate in any University-sponsored activity such as intramurals, nor any activity sponsored by a recognized student organization. The chapters will not be able to reference “West Virginia University” or use any of the institution’s marks or brands in any capacity. They are not allowed to reserve any space on campus for programming or business purposes. In addition, I will ensure that we will continually remind students and parents that these chapters are not operating under the guidance of the University and will discourage students from joining.