Greek Life Update

In response to disturbing allegations of hazing within our Greek community earlier this fall, the University immediately suspended all new membership education activities and commenced an external investigation. In its initial findings, our external investigator (Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr LLP) has shared with us detailed, credible and corroborated information about additional incidents within our Greek community, all of which are deeply troubling. These recent incidents include allegations of assault, forced ingestion, and physical and mental abuse. Such incidents jeopardize the health and safety of our students, and there is absolutely no place for such misconduct within our campus community.

Our students’ safety remains our highest priority. We condemn these recent incidents because they collectively threaten the health and safety of our students. The severity of these allegations, though, compels us to consider not just the safety of our students, but also the ideals of basic human decency and the general respect for the safety and well-being of others. We will not tolerate such reckless behavior, and we must elevate the behavioral and cultural expectations of our students going forward.

To that end, upon reviewing the external investigator’s initial findings, the University has placed several Greek social organizations on interim suspension. For those organizations that are not suspended, the moratorium on new member education activities will be lifted effective the beginning of the Spring 2019 semester. I want to emphasize, however, that the investigation remains ongoing for all Greek social organizations. There remains the possibility of further sanctions for any Greek organization, pending additional findings through our Student Code of Conduct.

To strengthen the overall Greek life experience, and to change the culture to one where students respect and value one another’s health and well-being in accordance with the values espoused by such organizations, we will be implementing new requirements for all members of social fraternities and sororities beginning next semester, including mandatory educational sessions on a variety of topics. I have also asked the Division of Student Affairs to conduct a comprehensive review of the process that governs recognition for fraternities and sororities. This review will include (but not be limited to) structure, membership, risk management, community expectations, and recommendations for new procedures and process.

I remind everyone that if you suspect hazing in any form within any group, team or organization, please contact our Dean of Students Office, or call the Hazing Hotline at 866-755-4293. Our ability to intervene and stop hazing depends on all of us.

The health and well-being of our students will continue to be our highest priority, and I look forward to working with our Greek student leaders, chapter advisors, alumni leaders, and my colleagues in Student Affairs in ensuring this priority. Together, we will eradicate hazing and other misconduct on our campus, we will elevate the behavioral standards and expectations for all our students, and we will change a Greek culture that desperately needs it. As a community, we at Bloomsburg University can and will do better.

Bashar