The following was sent to Interfraternity Council Chapter Presidents on January 14
Following up on my December 27 email to you, I'm writing to update you on the current investigation into hazing allegations against an IFC chapter.
To date, information - including social calendars, lists of possible recruits, and communications with potential new members - has been gathered from each IFC chapter. While there has been no definitive indication that one chapter is responsible for the specific hazing behaviors highlighted in the allegation, the overall communication by all chapters to potential members causes great concern. Specifically, IFC organizations regularly sent text messages to potential new members, encouraging them to consume alcohol in a prohibited and unhealthy manner and/or promoting a culture that is focused on heavy alcohol consumption. Invitations were sent for parties that occurred throughout fall semester, including every night of the week regardless of academic calendars.
To be clear, all 21 year old students have the right to consume alcohol. However, the recipients of the invitations (potential new members) are overwhelmingly freshmen and well below the legal drinking age. Further, such wholesale reliance on alcohol to attract new members poses potential risks to the health and safety of students, while being inconsistent with IFC's Recruitment Bylaws and the stated ideals of every North American Interfraternity Conference member organization.
I look forward to engaging with you and other members of Lehigh's fraternity & sorority community in the days and weeks to come as we determine how we "got here" as well as work together to initiate a positive and sustainable shift in our culture.
In the meantime, Spring 2019 IFC Recruitment will take on a slightly different look for those chapters that decide to participate. You will read in the attached document that all spring semester 2019 recruitment and new member education activities will be "alcohol free". That is, alcohol will not be present at any event attended by potential, prospective, or new members during the spring 2019 recruitment/new member education period.
I strongly encourage you and other fraternity leaders to discuss this with your respective chapters, to include members residing both on and off campus. While I am certain the prospect of alcohol-free recruitment will be met with alarm by some, I also believe others will be supportive, or even relieved.
Chapters may opt to not participate in Spring 2019 IFC Recruitment. But any chapter wishing to participate in Spring 2019 IFC Recruitment will be required to agree to the terms of an alcohol-free recruitment/new member education period. Those chapters agreeing to the terms of the agreement will begin Formal Recruitment on January 20, as scheduled.
Once each chapter has reviewed its respective Agreement, please communicate directly with the IFC advisor on whether or not the chapter will participate in Spring 2019 IFC Recruitment. Each chapter should also deliver its signed Agreement no later than 4:00 pm on Sunday, January 20 (start time of the IFC Recruitment Kick Off Event).
Thank you (all of you) for your leadership within the Greek community and here's to a positive and productive spring semester.
Sincerely,
Ricardo D. Hall, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Student Affairs