IU fraternities self-impose 3-month suspension of activities

Indiana University-Bloomington has joined a growing list of colleges and universities where Greek life is being put on hold. 

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The university's Interfraternity Council, made up of fraternity members, met with chapter presidents Monday night. A statement from the IFC says the vote was unanimous to self-impose a three-month suspension. 

 "We are suspending all social activities in which alcohol is present and unsupervised new member education programs effective immediately until February 28th, 2018," said Andrew Cowie, IFC president. "During this time, we will be having active conversations with the key stakeholders in our community to arrive at concrete solutions to enhance the health and safety of this community."

IU becomes the eighth university where activities of fraternities and sororities have been suspended, joining the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Texas State University, Florida State University, Ball State University, Louisiana State University and Penn State University.

 IU's Vice Provost for Student Affairs Lori Reesor announced the Indiana University Interfraternity Council's unanimous vote on Twitter.

In a separate statement, Reesor said she will meet with IFC leaders and chapter presidents next week to talk about how the campus can "strengthen our chapters."

IU's Sigma Nu fraternity was suspended by the national organization in October for violating hazing and alcohol use policies.

Multiple instances of hazing shut down IU's Beta Alpha chapter of Delta Tau Delta in January. The fraternity's governing body made the decision.

“There is no place for hazing in Delta Tau Delta. It is absolutely contrary to our values and will not be tolerated,” said Jim Russell, executive vice president of the national fraternity. “The fraternity is clear about its expectations.”

A mixed reaction was evident after the Interfraternity Council's announcement. One Twitter user was quick to support the council on the decision.

However, several responses spoke of their disappointment in the decision.

A university spokesperson said the decision came in light of the ongoing national conversation about Greek life and its place on college campuses, as well as challenges on IU's Bloomington campus. The decision is not attributable to one particular incident, he said. 

The suspension affects the nearly 30 member chapters of IU's IFC. It does not effect sororities, mutli-cultural chapters or historically black Greek organizations, which have different governing bodies.

Fraternity members can continue to live on campus, but cannot hold social events with alcohol. The suspension also impacts new member education activities and the second-semester rush period. 

Senior Jeff Miller said it feels like the university is trying to slowly kill off Greek life. 

"I know IFC did this," said Miller, who is a member of one of the effected chapters, but declined to say which one. "You can't help but wonder if their hands were tied. There's no way they all wanted to do this."

Miller said there are some bad actors on campus, but questions how punishing the whole system will change anything. 

"I definitely want to call on my peers to take action if we're going to make this worthwhile," he said. "Something does need to change."

Ball State's Interfraternity Council came to an agreement in October with school officials on their suspension of any social gatherings on fraternity grounds or as co-host of such events until Jan. 31, 2018.

“It’s not one single incident that has caused this,” Ball State's vice president for marketing and communications Kathy Wolf told the Muncie Star Press.

“It’s a trend or a pattern of behavior that is not acceptable or consistent with our Beneficence Pledge. As a result, what we’re doing is pausing, if you will, and saying, ‘Hey, together let’s work on this.’”

The Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity at Butler was suspended by the fraternity's national board of directors in January.

Violations of alcohol, hazing and unregistered functions earned a suspension for the Purdue University chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon until 2020 in March of last year. 

IndyStar reporter Arika Herron contributed to this story. Follow her on Twitter: @ArikaHerron.

Chris Sims is a digital producer at IndyStar. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.