Monday, plaintiffs in the federal case challenging Harvard’s sanctions policy that punishes students for joining single-sex social organizations filed a motion for a preliminary or permanent injunction. Under the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent landmark civil rights decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, Harvard’s policy unquestionably constitutes unlawful sex discrimination in violation of Title IX. Additionally, internal Harvard documents produced in the case demonstrate that Harvard’s policy was motivated by impermissible sex stereotypes and anti-male bias, also in violation of Title IX.

Both federal and state courts previously rejected Harvard’s efforts to dismiss the challenges to its discriminatory policy.

We are pleased to announce that Harvard University dropped its social group sanctions policy later in the day as a result of the Supreme Court decision in the case of Bostock v. Clayton!

Dani Weatherford, CEO of the National Panhellenic Conference, and Judson Horras, CEO of the North American Interfraternity Conference, released the following joint statement on Harvard’s decision to drop its sanctions policy:

While we believe the discriminatory nature of Harvard’s policy was apparent long ago, we are nonetheless gratified to see that Harvard will no longer seek to enforce such an unlawful policy.

Our focus has always been on the freedom of association rights of students and on the particularly acute harm that this policy has done to women’s-only organizations on Harvard’s campus. Today’s announcement from the university is nothing short of an admission that their policy was misguided and openly discriminatory based on sex. This should serve as a lesson to Harvard and other universities—students are free to associate with other students without regard to their gender, and targeting single-sex student organizations is illegal and wrong.

While we are pleased that this policy will no longer hang over Harvard students, we are also painfully aware that its effects will linger – particularly for women’s-only organizations that were decimated by this policy.

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June 30, 2020

Media contact:
Todd Shelton

Today, America continues to face the issue of racism and as fraternity men we must acknowledge and denounce all forms of hate and intolerance. We must unite around the notion that fraternal bonds are built on concepts of respect, dignity and empathy for all people.  

Representing a diverse range of fraternity men, the NIC has in recent years invested significant resources in supporting emerging and culturally-based fraternities as well as enhancing education for all fraternity members on the importance of belonging and inclusion. We are inspired by fraternity men across the country fighting racism and supporting Black Lives Matters efforts. 

We are taking action now to further support our member fraternities, interfraternity councils and communities by ensuring our governing documents promote belonging and do not further racism. The NIC also is developing resources to help our councils and campuses improve belonging and inclusion and hosting conversations to address racism, intolerance and hate. 

First, Kevin Bennett, Executive Director of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, will chair a working group to thoroughly review current NIC governing documents and bring forward recommendations to the Governing Council in as needed in the areas of discrimination and intolerance.   

Second, the NIC, AFLV (Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values), Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA) and the Southeastern Greek Leadership Association (SGLA) are partnering to develop and enhance resources for IFC officers and the greater fraternity and sorority community in the areas of belonging and inclusion which will be implemented through programs from all four organizations.

Third, NIC President and CEO Judson Horras will host video-based fireside conversations with key interfraternal leaders to address topics including racism, belonging and inclusion. These productive conversations will provide for open dialogue and model undergraduate engagement.  

Additionally, the NIC is working to collaborate with all fraternity/sorority-related umbrella and leadership development organizations in higher education to develop ideas and programs around activism and advocacy centered on belonging and inclusion.  

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Media Contact: Todd Shelton
Campus Support: Will Foran