Penn State President Eric Barron has announced a full review of Greek life at Penn State.
Barron released a statement Monday evening responding to criticism the university has faced as a result of the Kappa Delta Rho allegations. In it, he says he was “personally repulsed and shocked” by allegations that KDR members posted photos of drug deals, hazing rituals and nude, unconscious women to a private Facebook page.
“Some have indicated that expulsion or suspension of every member of the KDR fraternity is immediately needed,” Barron says. “The motivation behind these requests is understandable, however, the criminal investigation by local police into the KDR matter continues, as does the process managed by our Office of Student Conduct… I ask for your understanding as due process proceeds.”
But while the Penn State community will have to wait for the investigation to finish, Barron is also taking more immediate action. He says he’s forming a task force to examine fraternity and sorority life at Penn State, a move that’s “unanimously supported” by university leadership. Penn State Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims will lead the task force, following his role as head of the university’s sexual assault task force.
Barron says the task force will include administrators, students in greek organizations, sexual misconduct prevention experts, trustees and more. One of its main goals will be to define the “fundamental purposes” of greek organizations. He says it’s important to recognize the good that many fraternities and sororities do, but he also calls attention to string of national news stories that have shed a bad light on fraternities in recent months.
“Incidents of sexual misconduct, hazing and alcohol abuse here and across the nation are all-too-common and demand immediate attention. I am determined to conduct a focused examination of fraternity and sorority life in a manner that supports the best of Greek life, while promising real and lasting change,” Barron says. “The imperative to improve our system is clear and convincing, and is unanimously supported by University leadership.”
Barron says that other questions for the task force to address will include:
- Does the fraternity/sorority system fall short in meeting any of its fundamental goals and living its expressed values? If so, how and what is necessary to overcome those shortcomings?
- What is the status of sexual misconduct and alcohol misuse in our fraternity and sorority communities? Is there racial and ethnic diversity and awareness among our sororities and fraternities? How might any weakness in those areas be resolved?
- Is the four-legged stool of this system, relying as it does on undergraduate actives, alumni, nationals, and the University, well-balanced? Are all legs of the stool working in an even and coordinated fashion? What, if anything, is necessary to strengthen these relationships?
- Is there appropriate accountability for misconduct in the fraternity and sorority system? If not, what is required to achieve the right measure of accountability?
- In examining issues, it is imperative to identify methods and activities that will bring out the best in these organizations. How can we foster a collective mindset that ensures this objective?
“This comprehensive examination of fraternity and sorority life and its culture will not be simple and it may not be comfortable,” Barron says. “It will, however, be thorough and it will provide a blueprint for creating a stronger community that brings out the very best of what our fraternities and sororities can be.”
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