The U of South Carolina has suspended fraternity (IFC) rush, according to an article in a local news source. Concerns about underage drinking and health and safety issues connected with overdrinking are cited. See fairly long article at::
http://www.thestate.com/2011/08/20/1...s-to-lift.html
Edited to add link to follow-up article:
http://www.thestate.com/2011/08/21/1...er-freeze.html
Excerpts from ^^ :
Posted on Sun, Aug. 21, 2011
USC officials will hold a series of meetings with students and staffers beginning Monday to address alleged drinking violations that led the university to shut down fraternity recruitment.
That was the official word from the university Saturday, as both school leaders and students began the work of figuring out how best to address a situation that started with fraternity recruitment and resulted in one student becoming so intoxicated he was taken to a hospital by ambulance.
The incident was one of six alleged drinking violations that occurred in the opening days of the new school year, as students returned to campus and members of Greek organizations began their “rush” process. Four of the six students involved in the alleged incidents required medical assistance.
The university shut down the process near the end of the rush process, just as fraternities were about to choose new members, telling six fraternities they were in violation of their national organizations’ policies.
. . . [University staff] also has been in communication with national organizations after the university took . . . an “unprecedented step” of suspending rush for all 18 fraternities participating – not just those six that allegedly violated alcohol policies. Sororities were not involved.
The university also asked the national organizations to sanction local chapters. . . .
The meetings Monday will include not only members of Greek life but members of the student body in general as well as university staff leadership,. . . .
Edited again to provide address / link for yet another update. This one deals with a "statement," issued jointly by a lot of fraternity chapters, critizing the university's Greek life office, and so on.
http://www.dailygamecock.com/news/it...-of-greek-life