MORGANTOWN — Four fraternities at WVU have temporarily lost recognition as student organizations, the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life (OFSL) announced Wednesday.
The office said WVU has completed its review of the fraternity and sorority system, called “Reaching the Summit: Plan for Excellence,” which lists recommendations to strengthen oversight of the social and social-professional fraternities on campus.
Following the review, WVU suspended recognition of Pi Kappa Alpha, which lost recognition indefinitely for violating its current suspension. Phi Sigma Kappa also lost recognition through fall 2020, but may apply for reinstatement after that.
Two other fraternities lost recognition from their national organizations and had those actions affirmed by the Plan for Excellence working group. Phi Gamma Delta (nicknamed FIJI) has lost recognition indefinitely. Sigma Alpha Mu is suspended through fall 2020.
OFSL Director Matthew Richardson said none of the suspensions are permanent at this point.
WVU launched the review process in February, along with a moratorium on Interfraternity Council activities.
The Dominion Post reported at the time that the move wasn’t the result of any one action. Dean of Student Corey Farris said then that there were ongoing issues with drugs, alcohol, sexual assault and hazing. While many students weren’t initiating the problems, they weren’t stepping up to help curtail them.
Over the past several years, The Dominion Post reported in February, WVU Greek Life was involved in a few high-profile incidents.
Among them: A social media post involving a fraternity member garnered attention for using racial epithets. In October 2016, Sean Guthrie went to smoke on the roof of the Kappa Alpha house, fell and died from his injuries. And in November 2015, Phi Gamma Delta members were caught in a prank involving duct tape and kidnapping people.
Following the moratorium, OFSL explained Wednesday, it established a committee consisting of students, alumni, staff, faculty and national headquarter partners to review each chapter’s recent academic, disciplinary and community engagement history. The group also was tasked with proposing recommendations for a strategic plan to better align each organization with the university’s mission, moving forward to the 2018-’19 academic year and beyond.
The committee presented its recommendations regarding each chapter’s status to Farris, who approved the recommendations. The recommendations were accepted by President Gordon Gee and Provost Joyce McConnell.
Several other frats saw action taken against them. Kappa Alpha Order has lost recognition for letting its chapter GPA fall below 2.75. Student leadership and alumni are charged with crafting a rehabilitative action plan to present to the working group for approval.
Sigma Chi is under interim suspension pending crafting of a rehabilitative action plan for working group approval. In November 2014, members of the Sigma Chi house were disciplined after a large group ran intoxicated through the South Park neighborhood.
Richardson said he expects both plans being approved before the start of the academic year.
Alpha Sigma Phi has lost recognition pending an ongoing investigation by the Office of Student Conduct.
Several others are not suspended but must undertake remedial measures. Phi Delta Theta, and sororities Pi Beta Phi and Sigma Kappa will have a faculty or staff mentor appointed for academic support and must revise their academic plans for OFSL approval. They must consider raising their minimum GPAs for new members.
Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Theta Chi both face temporary social restrictions.
Richardson said in the announcement of the review process, “I feel confident that we are set up for success in light of the Reaching the Summit recognition review. Transparency is key, and we intend to publish all relevant information regarding our chapters to our website for students, parents and families to see. This will include academic and judicial histories on our campus.”
Farris said in a phone interview, “I’m happy for the work the committee has done and the recommendations. I’m happy that we’re moving forward and building the best fraternity and sorority system” that supports good behavior and helps make students into good citizens. “This is a step in the right direction.”
The Interfraternity Council social and new member moratorium will be lifted at the start of the fall semester.
