NIC (believe it or not) tells U Colo "we have rights"
 

(Earlier shared in Fraternal News, but worth repeating here)

Fraternity group challenges Colorado's deferred rush

Thursday, January 27, 2005

DENVER, Colorado (AP) -- An umbrella group for college fraternities has criticized a University of Colorado plan to push back recruitment to the second semester of freshman year following the alcohol-related death of a pledge.

Jon Williamson, vice president of the North-American Interfraternity Conference in Indianapolis, said Tuesday the plan is unconstitutional.

"To deny students the right to associate with whom they choose is not going to address the major issues on the campus," Jon Williamson said.

Rules announced by CU this month called for pushing back traditional fall rush until spring, when freshmen are more at ease on campus.

"We're talking about an area we feel we need to take a strong stance in," said Ron Stump, CU vice chancellor for student affairs.

National organizations of fraternities and sororities that operate at CU must accept the new rules to be associated with the campus and receive benefits and services ranging from office space to recruitment lists, Stump said.

He also disputed Williamson's legal claim.

"I'm no constitutional lawyer, but we do know that 30 percent of colleges that have fraternities and sororities have deferred rush," he said. "So it's being done across the country."

Last fall, Lynn "Gordie" Bailey died from alcohol poisoning the morning after he and other Chi Psi pledges were told to drink as part of an initiation ritual. It was one of a number of alcohol-related deaths in Colorado and around the nation last fall.

CU and the fraternity group agree that alcohol and hazing should be prohibited in recruitment and initiations.

Nice to see someone make at least a token argument . . . I take it NPC rolled over onto its back for the administration to take advantage?