Monmouth Bans Most Greek Life Activities, Citing Hazing, Alcohol

WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ – Monmouth University officials have banned all non-educational activities in both sororities and fraternities for the time being, President Grey J. Dimenna said in a letter to the community.

Dimenna said in a recent letter to students and staff that he, Vice President Mary Anne Nagy and the leadership of the Greek Senate met last May to discuss "some of the serious conduct violations that have occurred within the community, including hazing, alcohol and drug use, and lack of academic focus."

"We discussed the need for the Greeks to hold each other accountable for the negative culture that is casting a long shadow over Greek life at Monmouth, and potentially endangering our students," he said in the letter.

He directed Greek Senate leaders at that meeting to come up with a draft plan by Aug. 15, 2018, with a final plan due on Oct. 15, 2018, to to discuss the concerns, Dimenna said.

"This plan was to be their plan, not ours, to ensure that every fraternity and sorority is committed to the improvement of their community," he said in the letter.

But the submitted plan fell short of the administration's expections, he said.

"I have imposed the immediate suspension of all non-educational activities sponsored by the fraternity and sorority community until further notice," he wrote. "This means there will be no recruitment, social, philanthropic, or any such activities within the fraternity and sorority community until we receive and approve an acceptable plan from the Greek Senate."

He noted that Monmouth has had Greek letter organizations and their members for more than 60 years.

But these days, Greek communities across the country have faced challenges that have often resulted in tragic situations.

"Again and again we see traditions created to foster stronger bonds of fellowship distorted into dangerous and sometimes deadly hazing rituals and other risky behavior, Dimenna said. "During the course of the past year, Monmouth has also faced its own challenges. I feel it is essential for us to be proactive in this area to avoid circumstances such as we have seen at other institutions."

The solutions to the problem must come from the Greek community—not as mandates from administrators, he said in the letter.

"We will continue to support the members of the Greek community as they further develop the plan for submission to foster a culture of personal accountability among their members while being steadfast in stopping negative behaviors and activities that put students in danger," Dimenna wrote.

YouTube video/photo