Partnerships with Host Institutions

NIC Position: A collaborative partnership between fraternities and host institutions aids in the co-curricular development of students while also fostering greater loyalty towards their alma mater.

Clarifying Points:

NIC member fraternities maintain collaborative partnerships with hundreds of host institutions that support the conference’s Position Statements and Standards.
When a Position Statement conflict arises, NIC member fraternities will advocate forcefully for a positive fraternal experience that aligns with the conference’s Standards.
While the NIC advocates on behalf its members, individual NIC member fraternities retain the sole responsibility to maintain an affiliation with the host institution.
The NIC can support mutually developed relationship statements that:
1. provide equal treatment to fraternities as compared to other registered student organizations
2. respect the sovereignty of internal processes including autonomy and privacy when selecting their membership and/or holding their members accountable to inter/national standards
3. do not add additional liability to individuals or inter/national organizations
4. do not add burdensome financial barriers that inhibit access to students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds
5. require reporting of any action that results in serious bodily injury to a member or guest

Rationale:

NIC members are committed to collaborative partnership especially in the areas of NIC Standards enforcement and academic excellence. Likewise, NIC members are committed to a healthy fraternal experience for students that is also free from unnecessary restrictions and/or the erosion or elimination of basic rights of freedom of association. The conference is strongly resolved that both can be achieved simultaneously.
As the NIC reviews language for statements and agreements, we look for and support language that is equitable, based in the code of conduct, and aligned with the above principles. We encourage our campus partners to communicate early and often with the NIC as relationship statements/recognition agreements are being discussed or drafted.
In the event a Position Statement conflict arises, the NIC prides itself on starting with an offer to collaborate on a mutually agreeable solution. It is only after attempts to collaborate break down that NIC members may be forced to pursue other means of resolution.

Fraternal Excellence

NIC Position: An unfaltering commitment to fraternal excellence from NIC members is essential to the advancement of all fraternities.

Clarifying Points:

NIC member fraternities are committed to holding their members accountable to their organization’s standards.
NIC member fraternities embrace their interfraternal responsibility of holding fellow NIC members accountable to the conference’s Standards.
The NIC opposes any action by a host institution that directly contradicts the conference’s standards including its Health and Safety Guidelines.

Rationale:

To achieve fraternal excellence, it is incumbent on all fraternity men to hold themselves and their brothers accountable to the principles of their organization. Without accountability, standards are merely words on paper.
All fraternities teach values, integrity, honor, and striving for high personal and academic achievement to create a framework through which a fraternity man can endeavor to become the best version of himself. Adherence to these principles has helped shaped generations of campus, civic, and business leaders.
The values systems taught by fraternities are aspirational in nature, and while they differ slightly from organization to organization, they all center on providing young men some of the tools necessary to be better people and to be positive, contributing members of their communities.
Achieving fraternal excellence is also a community endeavor. Accordingly, NIC members, in holding each other accountable to Conference Standards, advance the fraternal movement on a broader scale. This is true at the national level through the NIC, and at the local level through, for example, Interfraternity Councils (IFCs). The NIC appreciates support from host institutions that reinforce the conference’s Health and Safety Guidelines. Further, the conference recognizes that some campuses have unique circumstances. Campus administrators are encouraged to contact the conference should a potential conflict arise with the conference’s Health and Safety Guidelines.

Supporting Resources:

Statement regarding the announced deferred recruitment at Cal State Long Beach

“Any student organization, any time!”

TAKE ACTION NOW

Without seeking input or discussion with impacted fraternities, Cal State Long Beach has announced that beginning in 2020 it will marginalize one campus experience by deferring fraternity recruitment while encouraging new students to join any other student organization or intercollegiate athletic teams. Students should have the opportunity to join fraternities, or any organization, at the time that they feel is best for them. On hundreds of campuses, students join any time and have a successful fraternity experience that provides men with a sense of community and a support network that helps facilitate a stronger transition to the collegiate experience. And for most, fraternity membership leads to higher retention rates and higher graduation rates.

Millions of fraternity men stand united with the students at Long Beach in support of the rights of college students to seek positive, enriching fraternal bonds at any time.

Tell Long Beach “Any student organization, any time!”

TAKE ACTION NOW

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Media Contact:
Todd Shelton
Chief Communication Officer

Center for Fraternal Excellence

The Center for Fraternal Excellence, Inc. (CFE) is a wholly owned subsidiary of North American Interfraternity Conference, Inc. (NIC). CFE is a for profit entity that provides services to promote the mission of the NIC and its member fraternities.

For more information, contact Michael Wilson.

STATEMENT: AFTER FEDERAL COURT RULING, IT’S TIME FOR HARVARD TO RECONSIDER ITS MISGUIDED ATTACK ON STUDENT RIGHTS

INDIANAPOLIS, August 15, 2019 – Dani Weatherford, CEO of the National Panhellenic Conference, Judson Horras, CEO of the North American Interfraternity Conference, and Francisco M. Lugo, President of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, released the following joint statement in response to Judge Nathaniel M. Gorton’s decision to reject Harvard’s motion to dismiss a federal lawsuit challenging its policy of inflicting sanctions on students who are members of single-sex groups:

“This ruling reaffirms the fundamental truth about Harvard’s policy: that it makes obvious distinctions based on the gender of its students. And in turn, it violates students’ rights of free association.

Our hope is that Judge Gorton’s ruling can be a catalyst for Harvard to do the right thing and repeal its discriminatory policy. Moreover, we urge them to join us in productive dialogue about creating a healthy and inclusive community of single-sex organizations at Harvard, while preserving student rights.

Our aim has been, and always will be, to protect the rights of students at Harvard and on campuses nationwide. And while we would prefer to avoid continued litigation, we believe it is unmistakably clear that Harvard’s policy is not only discriminatory and gender-stereotyping but has uniquely decimated women’s spaces and women’s organizations at Harvard. We remain confident that the facts are on the side of the students we represent.”

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TODD SHELTON, 615.364.1419
CHIEF COMMUNICATION OFFICER, NORTH AMERICAN INTERFRATERNITY CONFERENCE

JONATHAN COFFIN, 317.983.1419
FOR THE NATIONAL PANHELLENIC CONFERENCE

About the National Panhellenic Conference
NPC is the umbrella organization specifically charged with advocating on behalf of the sorority experience. It is comprised of 26 national and international sororities that are autonomous social organizations. Collectively, NPC sororities are located on more than 670 campuses with more than 400,000 undergraduate members and nearly 5 million alumnae.

About the North American Interfraternity Conference
NIC is a trade association that represents 66 national and international men’s fraternities, with more than 6,100 chapters located on more than 800 campuses in the United States and Canada, with approximately 385,000 undergraduate members and nearly 4.2 million alumni. The NIC has introduced enhanced health and safety guidelines and programs, including a ban of hard alcohol in fraternity houses and events.

About the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
Established in 1998, NALFO promotes the advancement of Latino fraternities and Latina sororities. NALFO shares a commitment to fraternal unity, family values and empowering Latino and underserved communities.

Kyle Martin joins Campus Support Team as Midwest VP; Ayers and Budde depart

Indianapolis, July 30, 2019 — Interfraternal leader Kyle Martin has joined the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) staff as Vice President of Campus Operations for the Midwest region.

Martin will focus on community development, council effectiveness and alumni engagement as he contributes to the NIC’s mission to enhance the fraternity experience. He will facilitate strong relationships by delivering support to communities across the Midwest.

“Kyle’s commitment to interfraternalism is unquestionable. His intellect and perspective will make our campus support team better. He will contribute greatly to the success of our many Midwestern communities,” NIC President & CEO Judson Horras said.

Martin is a Ph.D. candidate in educational leadership at Eastern Michigan University, where he has been serving as the Coordinator of Greek Life and Leadership Development. In this role he was the primary advisor for the university’s 28 chapters and four councils. He has previous experience working at the NIC, as Coordinator of IFC Services from 2014-2015. Martin also has worked at the University of Michigan and Delta Upsilon International Fraternity.

He has a master’s degree in higher education from Grand Valley State University and a bachelor’s degree in business management from Eastern Michigan. Martin will work from his home in Ypsilanti, Mich., where he will be accessible to the campuses he serves.

“I am thrilled to be joining such a talented and forward-thinking team. I am eager to work with students, staff and alumni to continue to cultivate safe and developmental environments for college students,” Martin said.

He is a member of Alpha Kappa Lambda Fraternity and a past Chapter Services Consultant. He has been a volunteer for many interfraternal organizations, including the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors and the NIC.

Martin takes over the Midwest region from Will Foran, who will continue to serve as VP of Campus Operations and direct the NIC’s educational initiatives.

In other staffing changes, Blaine Ayers and Joe Budde are departing the NIC on July 31. Ayers will be joining the team at James R. Favor & Company LLC as Vice President. Budde has accepted the Chief Information Officer role with Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity.

“Boomer [Blaine] and Joe have contributed greatly as members of the NIC team,” Horras said. “We look forward to their continued successes within the interfraternal community.”

As Ayers exits, Clark Brown will assume leadership of legislative efforts in addition to his current role as General Counsel. Budde will continue to provide technology project assistance to the NIC on a contract basis.

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END ALL Hazing Act introduced by Congresswoman Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) and Congressman G.T. Thompson (R-PA)

ENDALL-Gruvers_Jud — Lobbying Congress in March, Jud Horras, NIC President & CEO, looks on as Steve and Rae Ann Gruver share the story of their son Max who died from a hazing incident.

WASHINGTON— Fraternity and sorority groups along with parents of children who died from acts of hazing collectively are backing new legislation to eradicate hazing on college campuses. The Educational Notification and Disclosure of Actions risking Loss of Life (END ALL) Hazing Act was introduced June 13 by Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, and Rep. G.T. Thompson, R-Pa.

For too long, hazing has threatened the health and safety of students and undermined the educational mission of higher education institutions. The END ALL Hazing Act will help foster the eradication of hazing at colleges and universities by ensuring campus-wide transparency and accountability in all student organizations.

END ALL Hazing Act support is coming from a coalition of parents who have lost sons to acts of hazing, fraternal “umbrella” organizations, which collectively represent more than 100 fraternities and sororities, as well as the associations that provide development to student leaders and professionals who work with fraternities and sororities.

Officials from the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA), Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV), Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA), Southeastern Greek Leadership Association (SGLA), HazingPrevention.Org and the Anti-Hazing Coalition endorse the legislation.

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Contact:
Todd Shelton, Chief Communication Officer
todd.shelton@nicfraternity.org

In a powerful alliance, parents who have lost children to incidents of hazing have been working with these organizations to engage in aggressive student education, outreach and advocacy efforts to end tragic hazing incidents as well. The Anti-Hazing Coalition (AHC) seeks to address the problem earlier through education and prevention, while also encouraging accountability and transparency through legislation. The AHC strongly supports the END ALL Hazing Act.

Statement from Richard Braham, father of Marquise Braham:

“Many students arrive at college already having been hazed. This is how systemic, rampant and harmful hazing is. The END ALL Hazing Act will help alleviate this by raising awareness for parents, students and educators about hazing and other violations of codes of conduct happening in campus organizations, allowing them to make informed choices about which groups they would want to associate with – those groups that create a safe, positive and welcoming environment.”

Statement from Deb Debrick, mother of Dalton Debrick:

“The overall most important reason for taking action is to prevent hazing is to save lives and save families from the unbearable pain of loss. The only way the culture is going to change is with all parties working together to make the changes from legislation down, including the organizational groups and universities. We have to educate all and there have to be tough consequences that fit the degree of the hazing that is committed.”

Statement from Rae Ann and Steve Gruver, parents of Max Gruver:

“It is critical that institutions and organizations are 100% transparent about their hazing history. By being completely transparent, students and parents are able to make crucial decisions about their futures at universities. Only if all the information is placed in front of them — both the positive accolades and academic achievements as well as the negatives and past challenges —can families make informed decisions.”

Statement from Lianne and Brian Kowiak, parents of Harrison Kowiak:

“The cycle of dangerous traditions in student organizations must be stopped and replaced with safer and more acceptable alternative behaviors. These new behaviors need to focus on the safety and well-being of students. The End All Hazing Act will help accomplish this goal.”

Statement from Evelyn and Jim Piazza, parents of Timothy Piazza:

“The passing of the END ALL Hazing Act is critically important because we continue to see students being injured or dying at alarming rates as a result of irresponsible hazing behavior at universities. The transparency and awareness that this law will bring will enable students and parents to assess the quality and reputation of the organizations with which students are considering joining.”

Statement from the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)

“All of us in the fraternity and sorority community must take action to change dangerous campus cultures, including eradicating hazing,” said National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Chairman Carole Jones. “NPC is committed to partnering with government officials as well as the parents in the Anti-Hazing Coalition, other fraternal umbrella organizations and other partners who share our common interests to help develop sustainable solutions, including legislative solutions, to create safer campus cultures everywhere. We are pleased to support the END ALL Hazing Act as part of those efforts, and we appreciate the leadership of Congresswoman Fudge and Congressman Thompson on this issue.”

Statement from the North American Interfraternity Conference

“We applaud the introduction of the END ALL Hazing Act and urge Congress to take swift action,” NIC President and CEO Judson Horras said. “END ALL will bring transparency to make a lasting cultural change in student organizations and on university campuses. Our member fraternities stand united in a belief that every student has the right to learn and thrive in a safe and healthy campus environment.”

Statement from the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA)

“Hazing on college campuses is a complex problem and addressing it requires a multi-faceted approach,” said Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) Executive Director Lynda Wiley. “A combination of information, education and accountability is necessary to eliminate this behavior. Including hazing information in public reporting will help students and parents as they ask important questions related to joining a variety of organizations, including fraternities and sororities. AFA is committed to continual professional education for our members and would provide training around implementation of the END ALL Hazing Act if it becomes law.”

Statement from the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV)

“The impact that hazing has had on victims, their friends and their families is catastrophic. We hope the increased transparency measures in this bill will not only deter future incidents but lead to more people actively engaging in the fight to end hazing for good,” Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values Executive Director Ryan O’Rourke said. “The fraternity and sorority experience should be about members caring and supporting one another; hazing has no place in that kind of experience.”

Statement from the Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA)

“NGLA’s mission is to educate leaders from a variety of fraternal experiences to transform and empower their community and align actions with values. Hazing in any form is contrary to aligning actions with fraternal values and there is no place for it in the educational experience of young people. NGLA is proud to support this initiative and will continue educating leaders on healthy new member programs and encourage those who experience or observe hazing in any form to speak up and speak out,” said Northeast Greek Leadership Association Executive Director Kevin Pons.

Statement from the Southeastern Greek Leadership Association (SGLA)

“SGLA is proud to support the END ALL Hazing Act. States that have implemented transparency laws for organizational conduct are seeing positive results, and we applaud the efforts to take this nationwide,” said Southeastern Greek Leadership Association (SGLA) Executive Director Dr. Gary Wiser.

Statement from HazingPrevention.Org

“HazingPrevention.Org is proud to join our partners in the Anti-Hazing Coalition to support the END ALL Hazing Act. We believe this important step forward in federal legislation is needed in order to send a strong message nationwide that hazing is not acceptable, and to stand with our partners and parents in every effort to keep students safe,” said HazingPrevention.Org CEO and Executive Director Emily Pualwan.

Click here to learn more about the END ALL Hazing Act.

Health & Safety Resources

Below are educational resources for community health & safety. Please email us with any questions.

Banning fraternities isn’t the solution to Swarthmore College’s problem

Swarthmore’s banning of fraternities and sororities may calm current unrest but falls short of truly dealing with campus-wide cultural challenges. Instead of effectively addressing the unacceptable actions of a few past students, this short-sighted decision robs future students of the opportunity to freely associate with organizations that promote healthy, lifelong relationships. Millions of fraternity men stand united in support of the rights of college students who seek to form positive, enriching fraternal bonds.

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Media contact:
Todd Shelton
Chief Communication Officer

Statement regarding Swarthmore College

Swarthmore College (Photo courtesy Swarthmore College Facebook page)

The NIC is disgusted by the activities and attitudes described in recently released documents of a local fraternal club at Swarthmore College. We encourage collaboration between all stakeholders to improve the campus culture while also respecting the desire of students to form associations on their terms that align with the institution’s core values.

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Media contact:
Todd Shelton
Chief Communication Officer