Ball State University fraternities to go alcohol-free through January 2018
MUNCIE, Ind. -- More than a dozen fraternities at Ball State University in Indiana won't have events that include alcohol for the rest of the year.
Interfraternity Council (IFC) President Trevor Holland said the decision was made with the university for the safety of their members and the community.
"It was a joint decision between chapter presidents and the university," Holland said.
The fraternities won't host or co-host any events with alcohol until Jan. 31, 2018, The Star Press reported.
CBS affiliate WTTV posted Holland's statement online saying in part that the IFC is a "community of values" and that "change needs to happen."
"We are taking the best steps to ensure the safety of our members and longevity of our organizations. I encourage chapters to use this time as a time of reflection, education and brotherhood," the statement read. "As fraternity men, it's our time to truly embrace our organizations values and principles. Fraternity men are leaders on Ball State's campus and leaders impact change. I know that our community will react and grow stronger because of this agreement with the University."
The decision, announced Monday, aims to correct behavior that was not consistent with the university's standards, said Kathy Wolf, vice president of marketing and communications for the university.
"It's not one single incident that has caused this," Wolf said. "It's a trend or a pattern of behavior that is not acceptable or consistent with our Beneficence Pledge. As a result, what we're doing is pausing, if you will, and saying, 'Hey, together let's work on this.'"
Wolf said the fraternities will remain active and that its members will participate in classes that discuss alcohol use, hazing, bystander intervention and sexual assault.
"It's not about no frat parties, it's bigger than that," Wolf said. "It's about having the right culture and that's why we're doing what we're doing."
Wolf said the decision shows leadership and that fraternities are taking a stand.
The fraternities included are Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Tau Delta, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Gamma Delta, Phi Kappa Psi, Phi Sigma Kappa, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon and Theta Chi.
