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AN IMPORTANT COMMUNITY UPDATE

NOVEMBER 13, 2017

Please note that the following message references hazing and sexual misconduct.

Dear Tufts Community Members,

We are writing to provide a final update on the status of nine investigations that were launched by the University in Fall 2016. These investigations were conducted by the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) and the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) after serious concerns were raised about hazing, sexual misconduct, and the abuse of alcohol within our fraternity and sorority system. We previously provided updates to the community on November 8, December 2, February 2, and September 6 about the progress of these investigations. As noted in our prior updates, no Multicultural Greek organizations were investigated or had their normal operations interrupted.

Since our update on September 6, in which we notified the community that all investigations had been completed, all nine chapters have now had their cases resolved according to the Student Judicial Process. As we reported on September 6, two organizations previously accepted sanctions. Of the seven remaining cases: one organization dissolved; one organization was found not responsible; one organization had their case resolved by the Committee on Student Life; and four organizations accepted Administrative Resolutions from the Dean of Student Affairs Office.

In cases where chapters were found to have violated Tufts policy, sanctions tailored to the scope and nature of the violations were issued. These include revocation of the chapter’s recognition at Tufts, suspension of activity for one or more years, and disciplinary and/or social probation. Many chapters are also mandated to engage in a variety of educational programs designed to increase safety, respect, and inclusion within the organization. Many chapters are required to conduct a comprehensive restructure of policies and processes related to recruitment, risk management, and member well-being. To learn more about the statuses of specific organizations, please visit the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life website.

Concurrent with the broader work of the Student Life Review Committee, these investigations have provoked passionate debate and reflection on campus. Sustained conversations over the last several months have produced several shifts on our campus, including a more consistent culture of accountability and a deeper awareness across student organizations of how student leaders and program participants can prevent, recognize, and combat dangerous or degrading behaviors.

We want to thank those who brought allegations to light, enabling the University to begin addressing the issues they represent. We appreciate the leadership and continuous engagement demonstrated within the fraternity and sorority system by chapter leaders and the four Greek leadership councils. The Committee on Student Life has invested considerable time into fulfilling the community’s obligations as outlined in the Student Judicial Process, as did University staff who led investigations and worked closely with students and others throughout the past year.

Moving Forward

In addition to resolving each individual case, we have also initiated a number of system-wide reform efforts. These represent the beginning of a three-year period of reform and evaluation for Fraternity and Sorority Life at Tufts:

Since our last message, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life has created and hosted a series of programs for students joining a fraternity or sorority which are designed to prevent hazing, alcohol abuse, and sexual harassment, and to promote bystander intervention, wellness, and meaningful inclusion.
90% of students currently affiliated with a fraternity or sorority have now completed hazing prevention workshops.
New members have participated in 5 trainings with the university across a variety of topics, including alcohol and other drugs, sexual misconduct, time management, and diversity and inclusion.
One entire chapter has received Green Dot certification through the Center for Awareness, Resources and Education (CARE), and others are scheduled to participate in the same training.
Each Panhellenic and Interfraternity Council organization has created a new position in their Executive Board intended to address diversity and inclusion in Greek Life.
The Panhellenic Council is in the process of revamping their recruitment process to make it more inclusive and accessible.
Initial work to assemble the Hazing Prevention Task Force has begun, and we hope to share their progress with the community by the end of this semester.

As part of the Student Life Review Committee’s broader efforts to enhance undergraduate student life, comprehensive reform of fraternity and sorority life will continue in the months and years ahead. We remain committed to partnering with student leaders to ensure and promote the University’s values and standards of inclusivity, personal and academic integrity, and active citizenship.

Sincerely,