Bowling Green State University is suspending all recruiting and social activities for fraternities and sororities on campus in the wake of a hazing incident that has left a student near death.
The alleged hazing incident of campus Thursday night involved the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
Earlier today, a statement from the family of Stone Foltz said: “Stone is still with us for the time as he goes through the process to donate his organs. The family is asking for everyone to please be respectful and considerate as they work through this difficult time.”
In a letter sent to students this evening (March 6), President Rodney Rogers and Provost Joe Whitehead stated: “Clearly, this is an unfolding situation, one where we do not know all the facts. Not only are we continuing to work with local law enforcement, who are actively taking the lead in investigating this situation, we will also be pursuing our own student code of conduct investigation, including both the fraternity and students involved.
The letter went on to report that student leaders from the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, College Panhellenic Conference, Undergraduate Student Government and the undergraduate student representative to the Board of Trustees worked throughout Saturday with university staff members to discuss the short- and long-term future of fraternity and sorority life at BGSU.
As a result as of midnight, “the University is interimly suspending all new member intake processes and on- and off-campus social events of chapters in all four Greek councils stated above. Understanding the impact this has on chapter operations, the University will be meeting with their student leadership.”
Each chapter will then be required to work individually with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Office of the Dean of Students to develop a plan to safely reopen.
During this period, the chapters will be able to hold organizational and executive board meetings virtually with the approval of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Over the next week Greek leaders, along with university staff, will work “to provide for increased accountability and to ensure hazing has no place at Bowling Green State University.”
The university will also consult with outside entities to conduct “a broader review of student organizations and activities.”
The letter concluded: “Let us be clear: We recognize that not all students involved in Greek life are contributing to hazing. We value our students engaged in Greek life and the home that they have found in their organizations, and we wish for a community that includes a vibrant fraternity and sorority life. Hard work lies ahead. We need to come together to demand better, and this is just the start.”
