Greek leaders and students met Monday evening to discuss the future of Greek Life and activities in the wake of Maxwell Gruver’s death and recent allegations of hazing.
The Interfraternity Council held a mandatory educational meeting for all fraternity members to attend, wherein Jud Horras, the president and CEO of the North-American Interfraternity Conference, asked fraternity members reflect on their experiences and make good decisions to define how fraternities are viewed.
Greek Life leaders and Student Advocacy and Accountability representatives held a 4:30 p.m. meeting Monday in light of recent hazing allegations. In this meeting, attendees were given updates on how the University’s investigation is progressing, and specific guidelines for the “Week of Reflection” LSU President F. King Alexander put into place from Sept. 18 to Sept. 25.
The guidelines indicate no new member education may take place during the week, including, but not limited to, service projects, study hours or study groups, uniformed attire, pinning or initiation ceremonies. Further, no chapter will be allowed to host organized tailgates this weekend.
The following Greek activities and events will be prohibited by the University:
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Philanthropy, community service events, fundraisers, etc.
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Retreats
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Greek Board of Directors events nor Greek Leadership Institute events
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Council or chapter meetings
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Chapter events including, but not limited to, pomping, game day banners, organized tailgates, on call/designated driver programs, organized chapter cleanups, bus trips, exchanges, GRUBs, semi formals, formals, dance/step practices, Founders Day, participation in alumni events, and any on/off campus events and socials.
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Organized fitness events
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“Assessment workshops” unless they focus on hazing, alcohol, drug or sexual misconduct.
Activities, such as meal services, Risk Management Education workshops, Chapter Judicial meetings and University called-upon meetings will still take place this week.
Dean of Students Mari Fuentes-Martin said the purpose of the “Week of Reflection” was not to make Greek members feel as if their privileges are being revoked, but to take time to reflect and heal.
“[There are] people who feel their privileges are being taken away,” Fuentes-Martin said. “That’s not what we’re here for, but at the end of the day it’s something we [as administrators] are responsible for when something this serious does happen… We are thinking for the entire community…”
Fuentes-Martin said the University’s decision to create a “Week of Reflection” was made at the executive level and is intended to be a time to remember Maxwell Gruver and reflect on how the University can progress.
“[It is] a week of remembering Max Gruver, and thinking of his family and being respectful that we lost someone in this community in a very tragic way, a very avoidable way because hazing shouldn’t happen,” Fuentes-Martin said. “That’s kind of [Alexander’s] message to us this week. This week we reflect on this young man’s life and next week is probably when the committee stuff may be determined, and we will look at ways to change campus culture.”
