Note: Since the University of Colorado does not officially recognize Greek Letter Organizations, the IFC can do this -- whether it is a good idea or not remains to be seen:
The Daily Camera
Boulder, CO
September 30, 2004
Greeks: No to CU rush plan
Fraternity rep says freshmen are vital parts of system
By Elizabeth Mattern Clark, Camera Staff Writer
Greek leaders say they won't ban first-semester freshmen from joining their
organizations next year, despite demands from University of Colorado
officials for a "deferred rush."
Nick Baker, president of the student-run Interfraternity Council, said
Wednesday that fraternity chapter presidents are unanimously against
deferring rush because of concerns about money and leadership development.
"We're still meeting with the university, but we're not on board with
this," Baker said. "We feel that it would cripple us."
Chancellor Richard Byyny is insisting that Greek houses delay their rush
period a semester or even a year so freshmen can adjust to college life
before getting caught up in the social pressures of pledging fraternities
and sororities.
Byyny announced the plan Tuesday, less than two weeks after freshman pledge
Lynn Gordon "Gordie" Bailey Jr. was found dead in the Chi Psi fraternity
house. Bailey died Sept. 17 after an initiation ceremony and a night of
heavy drinking.
Joseph Penta, president of Boulder's Alpha Gamma Omega chapter, said
Wednesday that the "vast majority" of fraternity pledges are freshmen
because they're looking for a group of friends and a support system in
their new town.
"I don't think I will ever agree with a deferred rush," Penta said.
"Freshman year is a time when you're especially ready to make those deep
friendships."
The university can influence the 27 off-campus houses but has no legal
authority over them. CU does provide support by allowing information about
the Greek system at its orientations, putting chapter contacts on its Web
site and housing a Greek Affairs Office with resources for members and
potential pledges.
The Interfraternity Council enforces fraternity rules, and the Panhellenic
Association oversees sororities.
Baker's sorority counterpart was not available for comment Wednesday, but
Baker said sororities are against the move as well.
Boulder fraternities are trying to grow and become more financially stable,
Baker said, and a mandatory waiting period would cut their fee-paying
membership and bottom line. Deferrals also would limit the amount of time
new members would have to grow into Greek leaders, he said.
"Some of our best leaders started as freshmen," he said.
Byyny's plan might win acceptance over time, Baker said, but not by next year.
CU spokeswoman Pauline Hale said Byyny has a "strong expectation" that
university and Greek leaders will work together on a plan to address
"several issues, including deferring rush."
School officials and Greek leaders also are discussing stricter
expectations about alcohol use.
Baker said fraternities will not ban alcohol from their houses as they did
briefly in the mid-1990s under pressure from CU and Boulder police.
Instead, he said, they are working on rules to ensure safety at parties and
new ways of holding chapters accountable when they get unruly.
"We can no longer have chapters that are worrisome to us," Baker said.
Contact Camera Staff Writer Elizabeth Mattern Clark at (303) 473-1351 or
clarke@dailycamera.com.
Copyright 2004, The Daily Camera. All Rights Reserved.
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