WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. (Jan. 14, 2019) – Monmouth University today announced a full reinstatement of the University’s seven fraternities and eight sororities for the spring 2019 semester. Effective immediately, the reinstatement of the University-affiliated Greek organizations follows the development of a comprehensive, accountability-based plan that includes several changes to current policies and practices in order to promote a safe and productive Greek system.
The final plan, a collaborative effort among Greek students, University administrators, an external consultant, and engagement from alumni and the campus community over the course of several months, includes key changes such as: a reduction in the number of weeks for the new member education process; the establishment of Council Standard Boards to address policy infractions including recruitment violations and risk management issues; increased utilization of the Student Code of Conduct for violations of University policy and the law; and a revised “report card” mechanism to benchmark chapter progress and outcomes.
In addition, beginning in the fall 2019 semester, all students affiliated with a fraternity or sorority, including current and prospective members, must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.75 to participate in the new member education process or remain as an active, initiated member of an organization. Previously, prospective members were required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5 and current members were required to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.25.
The University has also upgraded the current assistant director of student activities for fraternity and sorority life position to a director-level role with a direct report to the vice president for student life and leadership engagement, creating a standalone unit to focus on the fraternity and sorority area of student life.
Senior administrators at the University will continue to work in close partnership with the Greek community, including student leadership of the Greek Senate, the Inter-fraternity Council, the Pan-Hellenic Council, and the Multi-Cultural Greek Council, to further monitor and refine these changes throughout the spring semester.
In September 2018, Monmouth University announced the suspension of all non-educational activities sponsored by the Greek community in response to widespread safety violations, a drop in academic performance, and serious concerns over the need for a cultural change for the entire Greek system. Since that time, administrators, students, and alumni have undertaken a collaborative process to proactively address the safety and quality of the Greek life experience at Monmouth, resulting in the agreed-upon policy and practice changes.