WVU frat rift remains

Dispute arose over new rules

West Virginia University’s president and leaders of four fraternities planning to separate from the school “had an open and honest conversation” lasting more than two hours, but did not resolve their dispute, university officials said Tuesday night.

“We’re where we were, but we’re talking,” spokesman John Bolt said after the closeddoor meeting scheduled Tuesday afternoon in the office of president E. Gordon Gee. “Both sides are considering some points that were made.”

Mr. Bolt declined to elaborate.

A rift between WVU and some of its Greek organizations follows new rules and restrictions this year intended to change Greek culture. The tensions broke into the open as the Aug. 15 start of fall classes approached.

On Sunday, Mr. Gee sent a letter to parents expressing deep concern about effectively ungoverned organizations and safety after the four chapters relayed their intent to disavow their student organization status. He said they planned to form an independent Interfraternity Council.

The four — Alpha Sigma Phi, Phi Sigma Kappa, Kappa Alpha Order and Sigma Chi — each

were represented at Tuesday’s meeting, as was the North American Interfraternity Conference, Mr. Bolt said.

Adding to the urgency for university officials was Kappa Alpha Order’s decision to proceed this week with rush for new members, including firstsemester freshmen, defying a new rule at WVU requiring that freshmen wait to pledge until their second semester.

A Kappa Alpha spokesman could not be reached Tuesday night. Its national office in Lexington, Va., on Monday appeared to take issue with new academic and other requirements imposed on Greek organizations.

The requirements were not imposed on other student groups and “there is no research which suggests that any of these requirements will address the concerns WVU has listed …”, its statement read.

Fraternities at WVU generally are on private property beyond campus, and university officials acknowledge that chapters could not be penalized as organizations if they are no longer connected to the university.

Even so, said Mr. Bolt, individual students are still accountable for their behavior under the student conduct code.

Hank Nuwer, a professor at Franklin College in Franklin, Ind., who has studied and written extensively on hazing deaths, said it can be a balancing act to address situations like the one facing WVU without infringing on individuals’ right to association.

The dispute at WVU comes as alcohol and hazing deaths, sexual assault and other offenses nationally have intensified scrutiny on fraternities and campus oversight. At WVU, freshman Nolan Burch died in a fraternity hazing incident at WVU in 2014.

The statement issued by Mr. Gee after Tuesday’s meeting said in part:

“While there is still much work to be done, we had an open and honest conversation ... and we are hopeful that we can come to an agreeable resolution.

“Nevertheless, West Virginia University will not deviate from its goal to provide for the safety and welfare of its students.”