The WVU chapter of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity has joined the movement to form a new, independent Intrafraternity Council (IFC).
Schuyler Abbott, president of the Alpha Kappa Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi, announced the move Tuesday in a letter emailed to WVU President Gordon Gee, and also shared with The Dominion Post.
WVU said in a statement – which appears in full at the end of this report – that it isn’t yet ready to publicly discuss its response to the dissociating fraternities but maintains an open mind to listening to alternatives.
“We love West Virginia University and the opportunities for success the school has given to us,” Abbott said in the letter. “Unfortunately, in the past year, the university has enacted policies that have been arbitrary, punitive and adversely impact only fraternities and sororities.”
Abbott said that no one from the local chapter or most other Greek organizations were involved in forming those policies.
WVU leaders met with representatives of the four fraternities that originally announced plans to dissociate from WVU and form a new IFC on Aug. 21. Abbott notes that WVU asked Alpha Sigma Phi to hold off on a decision until Sept. 17, in order to have time to review a proposal by the fraternity. It then requested an extension.
Alpha Sigma Phi would have granted that extension, he said, until “several disturbing things” came to light. Those include an alleged statement by a WVU Greek Life official that WVU would not consider lifting the recruitment moratorium, and alleged bullying and intimidation by that official of students in other fraternities that are dissociating.
“We believe it is important we stand in solidarity with our fellow students who have been targeted, harassed, intimidated and attacked, both publicly and privately,” Abbott said. “As a result, our chapter has elected to join at least four other fraternities in operating independently of the university. We expect that number to continue to grow in the days and weeks ahead and very soon the majority of fraternities at West Virginia will operate without university recognition.”
The other four include Theta Chi and Phi Sigma Kappa, which announced their intentions over the weekend. In August, Kappa Alpha Order and Sigma Chi also announced their intentions.
Kappa Alpha then decided to pause any action pending discussions with WVU. That pause remains in effect, Director of Communications Brent Buswell said on Tuesday. Sigma Chi could not be reached for comment.
Alpha Sigma Phi makes clear, as it has before, that the concern is about lack of due process and not about any of the student health and safety issues raised during the Reaching the Summit process. “The Alpha Kappa Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi remains committed to the health and safety of our members and guests as well as accountability for failure to adhere to our individual or collective standards.”
Abbott concluded to Gee, “I do not expect you to understand or even support our decision. I would ask, however, that you refrain from attacking us or any other student admitted to West Virginia for exercising their constitutional right to freely associate, as well as their right not to seek the services associated with university recognition. I would also ask that you direct your staff to refrain from attacks, bullying, intimidation, harassment, etc.
“The goal of West Virginia should be to provide such a supportive and nurturing climate for fraternities and plentiful resources and support that no fraternity would even consider withdrawing recognition,” he said. “Unfortunately, we do not feel we are receiving that support and resources, which is why we made this decision.”
WVU provided this statement regarding the fraternities’ actions:
“West Virginia University remains committed to providing a safe and supportive atmosphere that leads to a successful campus culture; that will guide its actions and response.
“The university is not ready to publicly discuss a specific response to those fraternities who have announced they do not want to be registered student organizations and abide by the accompanying policies and procedures.
“While the university has said, and continues to assert, that deferred rush is in the best interest of its students, President Gordon Gee and others have maintained an open mind to listening to alternatives. However, there has been no pre-determined deadline by which to make a decision. Indeed all communications on this issue have been with the National Interfraternity Council and not with any individual fraternity or chapter.
“In all interactions, University representatives have been polite but forthright and clear about the possible ramifications of dissociating from the university. Our intent is to educate and make sure the students have all the pertinent information before making an irrevocable decision.”
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