IFC and Panhellenic ban all Greek social events

From staff reports

A moratorium banning all social events hosted by fraternities and sororities went into effect tonight at 5 p.m.

The moratorium statement was released to the public on Monday and signed by representatives from both the WSU Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council.

The moratorium is the result of a rise in drug- and alcohol-related incidents in the Greek community this semester, the letter said, including assaults, rapes, falls and hospitalizations. Incidents like these degrade the reputation of WSU’s Greek Life, the letter said, putting its future in danger.

The moratorium bans all fraternity and sorority events regardless of the presence of alcohol, including formals, pre-functions, tailgates, open parties, 21 runs, exchanges and date dashes, according to the letter.

The IFC and Panhellenic Council said they will revoke recognition of chapters found in violation of the moratorium.

Delegates from each chapter, along with university officials and representatives from both Greek councils, will work to create a plan that creates awareness surrounding sexual assault, drug and alcohol abuse, falls, and mental health.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” Kyle Strachila, ASWSU vice president, said.

The purpose of the moratorium, the letter said, is to allow chapters to refocus on bettering their individual ideals and reconsider the true meaning of being a Greek member.

Scholarship, community service and self-accountability, according to the letter, need to be the cornerstone of WSU Greek Life, and the goal of the moratorium is to make those priorities for Greek Life members.  The moratorium will be lifted Jan. 9, the start of the spring 2017 semester.

Reporting by Dan Doucet