West Virginia ("WVU") Suspends All Greek Social & Pledging Activities

[exlurker]

http://www.businessinsider.com/west-...tudent-2014-11

All WVU fratenities & sororities have been placed on a moratorium that suspends all chapter social & pledging activites.
………………………………………………………………….
Statement by WVU and its IFC and Panhellenic Council:

http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/n/2014/11/13...further-notice

“Following emergency meetings today among West Virginia University officials, the Inter-Fraternity Council and Panhellenic Council, all campus fraternities and sororities have been placed on a moratorium that suspends all chapter social and pledging activities until further notice.

“The action comes on the heels of two recent incidents, the latest occurring today (Nov. 13) where a catastrophic medical emergency required a 9-1-1 response to a fraternity house. The other on Nov. 6 was a disturbance in South Park involving members of another fraternity. Both incidents are under investigation by both Morgantown and University Police.

“First, our hearts, prayers and support go out to the student who is gravely ill and his family. Right now that is our utmost concern,” said Dean of Students Corey Farris, Inter-Fraternity Council President Ansh Kumar and Panhellenic Council President Rachel Poe in a joint statement.” . . .

- See more at: http://wvutoday.wvu.edu/n/2014/11/13....UiBe5dbv.dpuf

Comment: Seems to be another example of a mass shutdown of parties and pledging in the wake of an incident or two. I keep thinking we're seeing a lot more of this kind of sanctioning or whatever you want to call it.

[Munchkin03]

I wonder if it's individual schools simply being fed up with some Greek organizations' shenanigans or part of a larger trend. Maybe Greek life just isn't worth it to some of these schools.

My college had a notoriously lax attitude towards fraternities and sororities...and I could never see this happening there.

[33girl]

Because we all know that no one at WVU except Greeks parties. Seriously, talk about trying to drain the Hoover Dam with an eyedropper.

[Titchou]

WVU has had more than "an incident or two." The place is a risk management nightmare.

[Kevin]

I'd worry more about the burning couches.

[Griffins&Quills]

I don't understand how issues at fraternities = suspension of pledging for sororities. NPC and IFC are two completely different systems.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Griffins&Quills

I don't understand how issues at fraternities = suspension of pledging for sororities. NPC and IFC are two completely different systems.

I think that's what our HQs would love to be true, but really it's not. I have very rarely heard of sororities shunning fraternities with well known hazing activities. And since NPC has made it so that sororities are dependent on fraternities for their social spaces (sororities having dry housing) they're kind of tied together.

[BlueOwl]

I just read online that the young man who was in critical condition has passed away. This is beyond heartbreaking. He was an 18 year old freshman. No word yet on the cause of death. My husband is a Mountaineer, class of 1977, Phi Gamma Delta (chapter is closed).

Prayers and condolences to the young man's family and friends and the WVU community.

[WVU alpha phi]

A loss for the Greek system and all Mountaineers. I just can't imagine what his poor parents must be feeling, to lose their child 3 months after sending him to school. I'll be following this closely (a huge topic on my newsfeed right now, even 7 years post grad) to see what changes this brings to our Greek system.

Thoughts and condolences to Kappa Sig, WVU, and especially the Burch family.

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by BlueOwl

I just read online that the young man who was in critical condition has passed away. This is beyond heartbreaking. He was an 18 year old freshman. No word yet on the cause of death. My husband is a Mountaineer, class of 1977, Phi Gamma Delta (chapter is closed).

Prayers and condolences to the young man's family and friends and the WVU community.

Looks as if it's being widely reported:

http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlin...1.html?ref=051

Also see:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-...emergency.html

from above^^:

“Kappa Sigma’s national organization suspended the WVU chapter in mid-October for previous, unrelated violations. In a statement today, it said the chapter and school were notified on Nov. 10 that the group’s charter had been withdrawn and its operations had been closed. “[emphasis added]

Also, from NBC News:

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/...school-n248286

[SOM]

Freshman Dies At Frat House Hours After Tweeting “It’s About To Be A Very Eventful Night”
The 18-year-old was found without a pulse late Wednesday night. http://www.buzzfeed.com/rachelzarrel...ght-hours?bftw

[SOM]

Kappa Sigma ‏@KappaSigmaHQ 5h5 hours ago

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Burch family, WVU community and members of our former WVU chapter. Statement: http://kappasigma.org/statement-rega...t-nolan-burch/

[SOM]

UPDATE: WVU Confirms Student Has Died After Incident At Fraternity
Written by Alex Wiederspiel
Last updated on November 14, 2014 @ 2:43PM
Created on November 14, 2014 @ 5:48PM
http://www.wdtv.com/wdtv.cfm?func=vi...aternity-19431

[SOM]

​Student found unconscious at WVU fraternity dies http://www.cbsnews.com/news/west-vir...raternity-dies via @cbsnews

Death of West Virginia University Student at Frat House Stuns Campus http://nbcnews.to/11oYJIc via @NBCNews

[kappasigma1869]

The entire thing is so surreal. To see the house I had so many great memories in on national news in such an unfortunate and tragic light has been beyond words. I feel horrible for the young man and of course his family and friends.