MORGANTOWN – WVU is offering members in good standing of the Interfraternity Council (IFC) a second recruitment period to run Wednesday through Nov. 16.
It’s a pilot program developed by IFC students, WVU President Gordon Gee said in a release.
“I firmly believe this will benefit their chapter growth and ultimately promote a safer and healthier environment for new member recruitment,” he said. “I am hopeful the national headquarters will work with us in good faith.”
The IFC issued its own statement on the pilot via Twitter, thanking Gee for working with them to develop the program. IFC President Calvin Komiske said, “Our member groups are committed to remaining recognized by WVU and strengthening our governing council through peer accountability.”
Organizations wishing to participate in this pilot program must agree to the parameters outlined by the university and commit in writing to remain an IFC member in good standing at WVU, the release said. Recruitment activities will begin with a chapter meet-and-greet Wednesday; new member education will conclude by Nov. 16.
Students who receive a bid and accept membership to a chapter must participate in weekly education programs surrounding alcohol education, hazing prevention, Title IX and bystander prevention, the release said. Additionally, WVU will host a webinar for parents, the director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will meet with each chapter’s new member class and a national consultant will be on campus Wednesday-Friday to assist with implementation and assessment.
Participating chapters must adhere to a set of guidelines:
— Students, including those in their first semester seeking IFC membership, must have a minimum 2.75 GPA at the time of recruitment (midterm grades will be considered).
— The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will review and approve all scheduled activities related to new member recruitment.
— The director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life will meet with all new member educators to set expectations.
— All Rush events must be alcohol-free.
— IFC organizations must publicize their recruitment schedules.
— University staff will closely monitor recruitment and new member education activities.
— No new member education events will be held between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.
If participating chapters break their commitment and members engage in behaviors that put themselves or others at risk, University Police and Office of Emergency Management will be notified and those involved will be subject to student conduct proceedings, the release said.
As part of the program, WVU is creating a hazing prevention campaign, the release said.
The five fraternities that dissociated and formed an independent IFC, and were banned by WVU for 10 years, are not included in the pilot program, WVU said.
The list of guidelines for the pilot emerged from the Reaching the Summit process, Farris said.
Eligible organizations held a recruitment session earlier in the semester for transfers and upper-class students, Ferris said. This pilot is open to all, but is the first time for freshmen to take a look at Greek life. It’s also the first time that mid-semester grades have been available to determine their academic standing.
Fraternities and Sororities belonging to the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Sororities belonging to the Panhellenic Association are not involved in the pilot, Dean of Students Corey Farris said.
The NPHC typically recruits in the spring, he said, and the Panhellenic Association wasn’t interested. It, too, will seek first-year recruits in the spring. Many of its sororities were at capacity anyway, and won’t seek new members until slots open in May.
“Safety is still our top priority so we’re going to pay close attention, Farris said. “We still want a safe program with great students.”
