Phi Kappa Psi at U of Virginia Voluntarily Suspends Activities

[exlurker]

An article reports that Alpha Tau Omega and Kappa Alpha Order are declining to sign the new (and required, I believe) agreement with the university.

http://www.nbc29.com/story/27841233/...-new-uva-rules

The story ^^ (from an NBC affiliate) includes copies of the statements of KA and ATO.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by exlurker

An article reports that Alpha Tau Omega and Kappa Alpha Order are declining to sign the new (and required, I believe) agreement with the university.

http://www.nbc29.com/story/27841233/...-new-uva-rules

The story ^^ (from an NBC affiliate) includes copies of the statements of KA and ATO.

The statements made by each group are the same. Did they write the statement together, or is this a mistake?

[Kevin]

I wouldn't sign it either. I wish more fraternities would stand up to what the school is doing here. Why sign a new deal after the school showed that these agreements are clearly a one-way street?

[1964Alum]

It is not clear to me what these two fraternities hope to accomplish. ALL GLOs are on campuses at the pleasure of the hosting college or university. So there is an obligation to accept and abide by the standards and policies of their host as well as their own standards. And the wider community consists of the laws of the land. Any thoughts about what they hope to accomplish?

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by 1964Alum

It is not clear to me what these two fraternities hope to accomplish. ALL GLOs are on campuses at the pleasure of the hosting college or university. So there is an obligation to accept and abide by the standards and policies of their host as well as their own standards. And the wider community consists of the laws of the land. Any thoughts about what they hope to accomplish?

No, not all GLOs are on campuses at the pleasure of the hosting institution. We belong to IFC at their pleasure, but enjoy our right of free association whether they choose to recognize us or not. ATO and KA Order are clearly sending a signal that they would rather not be subject to the whims of whatever overreaction the University has to the next incident.

While they are certainly depriving themselves of the benefits of participating in formal recruitment, they have clearly decided that they prefer that to having to the school's proposed status quo.

I agree in principle with what they've done here and wish more groups would go this route.

While we have to obey the law, it is our option to have a formal relationship with the university where are members are matriculates. Should the host institution treat us unfairly, it is our option to withdraw from that formal relationship and do whatever we want to do within the law. Universities do not write the law. We only formally associate because our organizations find it mutually beneficial. If they behave as UVA has here, perhaps the relationship is no longer working out.

[1964Alum]

So you are saying that these two groups prefer to operate independently and "off campus" so to speak without the benefits or the responsibilities that come with being affiliated with UVA?

[33girl]

Maybe the benefits aren't very beneficial.

I would also question where the $$$ is coming from for the improved camera systems etc on campus.

[pinksequins]

The Washington Post headline reads that 31 fraternities have signed agreements with the University "including two holdouts".

[1964Alum]

All fraternities at UVA are now onboard with the new policies developed by the collaborative efforts of the many affected entities at UVA.

http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article...lpha-tau-omega

[1964Alum]

Another positive step IMO:

http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article...ealth-attorney

[LaneSig]

"Sorority sisters at the University of Virginia were ordered by their national chapters to avoid fraternity events this weekend — a mandate that many of the women said was irrational, sexist and contrary to the school’s culture."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/g...rothers-party/

This weekend is Bid Night for the fraternities.

From UVA's Daily Cavalier:

http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article...mens-bid-night

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

"Sorority sisters at the University of Virginia were ordered by their national chapters to avoid fraternity events this weekend — a mandate that many of the women said was irrational, sexist and contrary to the school’s culture."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/g...rothers-party/

This weekend is Bid Night for the fraternities.

I find this very disturbing on so many levels!

[honorgal]

Originally Posted by LaneSig

"Sorority sisters at the University of Virginia were ordered by their national chapters to avoid fraternity events this weekend — a mandate that many of the women said was irrational, sexist and contrary to the school’s culture."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/g...rothers-party/

This weekend is Bid Night for the fraternities.

From UVA's Daily Cavalier:

http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article...mens-bid-night

Good grief! Well, I guess this shouldn't be surprising...when gripped by a moral panic, communities frequently make irrational decisions.

[33girl]

So if the sororities have "events" at their houses, are they going to be of the overnight variety? Wouldn't that be hazing to subject the new members to such an event with less than a week's notice? For that matter, isn't it considered hazing to require NMs to attend any mandatory event that hasn't been preplanned?

[lake]

I'm very disappointed in how the national chapters at UVA are handling things this upcoming weekend. I totally understand that the safety of their members is what is motivating this decision (edict?), but I think they're going about it all wrong. It completely flies in the face of so many of the values they state that sorority membership promotes, and undermines the relevance of sorority membership in this day and age. Very disappointing.