We read with interest the Chronicle of Higher Education’s interview with William E. Even about the recent study he and Austin Smith published about the academic performance of sorority and fraternity members.

While we—and the sorority and fraternity community at large—welcome careful research that can inform how we support our members, this study shows a limited representation at one university. Looking at various data markers across institutions nationwide paints a more complete picture of the positive impact sororities and fraternities have on student academic success.

Research findings have consistently supported that membership has a dramatic, positive impact on retention and persistence to graduation. For example, research found first-to-second year retention rates among sorority members hit 93%, compared to 82% for non-members. Similar studiesshow fraternity members are 20% more likely to graduate, which is critical as men are attending college and graduating with less frequency than in the past.

Why? A host of studies show membership contributes to a students’ sense of community and belonging on campus, which provides a greater sense of attachment to a university. Further research shows the stress of first-year students stems from loneliness, and sororities and fraternities provide connection, friendship and a strong support system.

Membership also develops the whole student. Sorority women experience gains in science, writing and thinking skills; better emotional support; increased college engagement; and higher levels of service. Fraternity men experience higher levels of development in critical thinking, self-awareness, communication, diversity, citizenship, leadership, and relationships, and those who join in their first semester show greater gains.

From day one in a member’s experience, organizations provide academic success programming and mentoring relationships that focus on student learning. Further, fraternal foundations provide more than $79 million in scholarship funds and educational programming funding annually, playing a significant role in ensuring college access and advancing personal development. And yes, both NIC and NPC have a long and robust history of nationwide data showcasing that members’ grades out-perform campus averages.

We applaud Even and Smith for putting the spotlight on academic performance in sorority and fraternity life, but urge readers to consider a broader picture of measures of student success.

Dani Weatherford
Executive Director of the National Panhellenic Conference

Judson Horras
President & CEO of the North American Interfraternity Conference

New York—In an unprecedented partnership, four families who have lost their sons to hazing are coming together with fraternities and sororities to fight it.

Jim and Evelyn Piazza, parents of Tim Piazza; Stephen and Rae Ann Gruver, parents of Max Gruver; Rich and Maille Braham, parents of Marquise Braham; and Lianne and Brian Kowiak, parents of Harrison Kowiak, have joined the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) to form a partnership that will focus on pursuing and strengthening state hazing laws and significantly expanding education and training for high school and college-aged students.

Other organizations within the fraternal community—HazingPrevention.Org, the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) and Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV)—have committed their support to these efforts.

After meeting with Jud and some of his colleagues, the other parents and I saw a sincerity to make change and a real interest to work with us. We collectively agreed forming this alliance made sense,” said Jim Piazza. “While we may seem like strange bedfellows, we all want the same thing—to end hazing, so other parents don’t have to experience what we have.”

When students arrive at college, nearly half have already experienced hazing. This Coalition seeks to address the problem earlier through education, while also strengthening accountability and transparency through new model state legislation.

“The best way to inspire change in college students is to touch their hearts,” said Judson Horras, President & CEO of the North American Interfraternity Conference. “In working with these families, we have seen how deeply their personal stories resonate, and I’ve witnessed first-hand the powerful impact these parents have in helping young men.”

“We can do more together than we can alone to address this societal problem,” said Carole Jones, Chairman of the National Panhellenic Conference. “The fight against hazing requires that an entire community step up, including sorority women, who can and must do our part to create safer campus cultures where students advocate for one another.”

The coalition will:

• Pursue state-based anti-hazing legislation that delivers greater transparency through stronger hazing reporting requirements, strengthens criminal penalties and encourages prosecution, calls for university accountability for bad actors, provides amnesty to encourage people to call for help, and calls for student education.
• Expand awareness and intervention education, including providing a platform for the parents to speak to tens of thousands of college students.
• Engage fraternity and sorority members in educating high school students to confront hazing and bullying.

Just this summer, these parents have spoken to more than 3,000 fraternity members at summer leadership conferences, including at Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s where hundreds of students and alumni moved by the program lined up to speak directly with the parents. Parents are also being invited to speak with sorority women at both the local and national levels.

The group has already begun discussion with lawmakers, and hopes to work in several states this fall to introduce model legislation. At the federal level, the organizations will continue to advocate for the REACH Act, which—if passed—will require colleges and universities to publicly report hazing incidents under the Clery Act and provide expanded hazing prevention education and resources to students.

“We are in full support of this partnership and look forward to working together in the months ahead to change the hazing culture,” said Steve and Rae Ann Gruver.

Further, this initial group of partners hopes to engage other organizations in the future.

“Our ultimate goal is to ensure no other child is killed or injured due to dangerous and illegal hazing,” said Richard Braham. “It will take more than tougher laws, greater parental awareness and university oversight or a timely display of moral courage and decency to eradicate hazing. It will take all of these things, plus young people understanding that you don’t become a ‘better man or woman’ by watching and remaining silent as your brother or sister is harmed or killed.”

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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 standards and programs, including last week’s ban of hard alcohol in fraternity houses and events.

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 approximately 418,000 undergraduate members and nearly 5 million alumnae.

About HazingPrevention.Org
HazingPrevention.Org™ is dedicated to empowering people to prevent hazing, by providing education and resources, advocating on hazing prevention, and building partnerships with others. Major initiatives of the organization include National Hazing Prevention Week™, Prevent.Zone™ educational online courses, seminars, books, and educational resources that touch the lives of thousands of individuals, organizations, campuses and communities.

About the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors
Through programs, publications, networking opportunities and other resources, AFA represents the community of fraternity and sorority advisors and is the leading voice in aligning the fraternity/sorority and higher education experiences.

About the Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values
The Association of Fraternal Leadership & Values (AFLV) accelerates progress in fraternity and sorority communities, reaching more than 300 campuses and 4,000 student leaders and professionals through change-enabling experiences.

Indianapolis—In an important, decisive action to enhance health and safety in fraternity communities, the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) recently adopted a Standard prohibiting hard alcohol from fraternity chapter facilities and events.

At its Aug. 27 Annual Meeting in a near unanimous vote of its 66 inter/national fraternities, the Conference determined that each organization will implement the new Standard by Sept. 1, 2019, across their more than 6,100 chapters on 800 campuses.

“At their core, fraternities are about brotherhood, personal development and providing a community of support. Alcohol abuse and its serious consequences endanger this very purpose,” said Judson Horras, NIC President & CEO. “This action shows fraternities’ clear commitment and leadership to further their focus on the safety of members and all in our communities.”

This is the latest in a series of NIC Health & Safety Initiatives launched in the last year, including Conference-wide adoption of medical Good Samaritan policies; piloting further measures to reduce alcohol; developing SocialSafe, an online event management platform and app; testing measures to reduce hazing in the new member experience; and advocating for stronger anti-hazing laws.

Our IFC and member fraternities eliminated hard alcohol from facilities and events on our campus several years ago and have seen a positive shift in our culture when it comes to the health and safety of our members and guests,” said Seth Gutwein, Purdue University IFC President. “With all NIC fraternities implementing this critical change, it will provide strong support for fraternities to move as one to make campus communities safer.”

Under the resolution passed by the Conference, each NIC member fraternity will “adopt and implement a policy by September 1, 2019, that prohibits the presence of alcohol products above 15% ABV in any chapter facility or at any chapter event, except when served by a licensed third-party vendor. Chapter facilities and events outside the United States may have one additional year to achieve compliance. Any member fraternity that does not have a business meeting between Sept. 1, 2018, and Sept. 1, 2019, will be granted a one-year extension in adoption.” As with all NIC Standards, this is a minimum expectation; when member fraternities and campuses have more restrictive policies, students and chapters will still be expected to follow those.

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Click here for more information, including Frequently Asked Questions. The North American Interfraternity Conference is a trade association that represents 66 inter/national 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.

Indianapolis, May 29, 2018—Clark J. Brown will join the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) team as General Counsel beginning Aug. 31. In this role, Brown will provide expert counsel to the NIC, advocating for student and organization rights and responsibilities. He will oversee implementation of the forthcoming standard operating procedures for Interfraternity Councils (IFCs), and collaborate with key stakeholders to provide advocacy and expertise around campus relationship statements.

Additionally, he will lead establishment of all legal agreements and requirements within the NIC’s SocialSafe system, including third-party registrations, protocols for student organizations in signing and executing contracts, and other legal considerations for safe events.

Brown comes to the NIC from Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Fraternity, where he has served as General Counsel since 2013. He has been a powerful change agent for SAE and the industry, demonstrating a commitment to health and safety and a positive interfraternal experience. He was a major force in SAE’s elimination of pledging and adoption of its holistic member education program, and during his tenure, SAE’s litigation and insurance-claims exposure decreased to record lows.
“Clark is a dedicated brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and steadfast believer in fraternity,” said SAE CEO Mike Sophir. “His insight and perspective have greatly benefited SAE and thus the entire interfraternal movement. I am proud to see Clark take on a role with the NIC that offers even greater opportunity to make an impact.”

Prior to his role as General Counsel for SAE, Brown was an attorney in private practice at a litigation firm and a judicial law clerk (staff attorney) to the Honorable Kristine G. Baker, United States District Judge of the U.S. District Court in Little Rock, Arkansas. Brown has gained broad and valuable experience in legal and risk management issues in higher education with a particular focus on insurance matters.

“Clark’s knowledge and expertise around the work we’re doing is a tremendous asset to the interfraternal community in advocating for students’ rights,” said NIC President & CEO Judson Horras. “He is dedicated to a meaningful fraternity experience and has a vast understanding for the considerations our organizations, IFCs, alumni and undergraduate members face as they foster safe and vibrant communities.”
Brown is a two-time graduate of the University of Arkansas. He earned a B.A. in political science then J.D. from the School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude and served as executive editor of the Arkansas Law Review. His published work has been cited multiple times by the Arkansas Supreme Court.

“I am honored to take this position during a critical time for our organizations, and I am thankful for the experience I gained serving my fraternity,” Brown said. “Chapters and IFCs must focus on instilling fraternal values and principles within young men, helping them understand their role in health and safety of fellow students and productivity of their communities. I firmly support the positive impact fraternity can have, and look forward to continued advocacy of that experience as part of the NIC team.”

In response to an Atlantic opinion piece drawing comparisons between fraternities and gangs:

The premise that fraternities share commonalities with gangs is preposterous and an egregious claim. The author makes tenuous correlations at the detriment of thousands of men who gain friendship, support and personal growth from fraternities.

While we fully acknowledge fraternities face challenges that are pervasive across the college campuses they reside on, inter/national fraternities, students, alumni and key stakeholders are leading positive change in their communities. From day one, to educate on health and safety and prevent harm, inter/national fraternities provide programming for every member on hazing, alcohol and substance abuse, and sexual misconduct prevention. Further, more than ever, fraternity men are stepping up in their campus communities to educate around violence prevention.

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March 21, 2018

Indianapolis, March 7, 2018—Fraternity Communications Association (FCA) President Todd Shelton will bring nearly two decades of strategic communication experience to the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) when he comes on board later this month as Senior Director of Communication. In this role, Shelton will lead communication strategy for the NIC’s grassroots advocacy and government relations efforts to engage fraternity members around key legislative priorities. He will collaborate with the team to proactively tell the story of the fraternity experience and will lead communication around the NIC’s Health & Safety Initiative.

Shelton comes to the NIC from Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity where he began in 2013 as Assistant Executive Director of Communication & Technology and currently serves as Chief Communication Officer. Successes from his time on staff include managing a comprehensive organizational rebrand and developing messaging for a successful $7-million Foundation capital campaign.

Todd has been instrumental in strengthening Pi Kappa Phi’s global brand,” said Pi Kappa Phi CEO Mark E. Timmes. “We look forward to his continued success strengthening the brand of ‘fraternity’ as he joins the NIC staff. Now more than ever, interfraternalism is critical to advancing this movement.”

Shelton’s breadth of experience as an interfraternal communicator also comes from roles as Director of Communication for Sigma Pi Fraternity and Director of Communication/Editor for Kappa Alpha Order. He also previously served as Project Manager and Creative Director for Accent Media in Nashville, Tennessee.

Todd’s skill in understanding and communicating about the value of fraternity will help move us forward as we advocate on behalf of our member organizations, fraternity men and the experience,” said NIC President & CEO Judson Horras.

Volunteer experience in various interfraternal capacities has further contributed to Shelton’s position as a master fraternal storyteller. He currently leads FCA, the professional association for interfraternal communicators, as its president and has been a member of the board of directors since 2014. Throughout his career, his teams’ work has also garnered dozens of FCA awards for excellence in writing, design and digital communication. Additionally, Shelton has served on the board of directors for the Southeastern Interfraternity Conference (SEIFC) since 2016.

Throughout my career, I have told stories of individual fraternities, chapters and members,” Shelton said. “I look forward to continuing my efforts to impact the big picture through sharing the positive impact of the fraternity experience and driving grassroots advocacy and engagement.”

Shelton was initiated into Kappa Alpha Order at Middle Tennessee State University and currently serves the organization as a Deputy Province Commander. He will join the NIC team March 31, working from Indianapolis.

CONTACT
Heather Kirk, NIC Chief Communication Officer
317-872-1112 or heather.kirk@nicfraternity.org

Nashville, Feb. 2, 2018—Officials from the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO), National APIDA Panhellenic Association (NAPA), National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC), North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC), and Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA), issue the following statements in response to legislation introduced in the Tennessee House of Representatives by Rep. John Deberry (D) that would ban fraternal organizations from state colleges and universities.

Joint Statement from Represented Interfraternal Organizations

One million undergraduate students and 10 million alumni have found great value through their fraternities and sororities—including tens of thousands of students at Tennessee universities, which provide opportunities for personal growth, foster local hands-on service and philanthropic contributions, and build communities of support for young men and women.

While colleges and universities are facing critical challenges, fraternities and sororities are actively partnering with campuses to implement measures to enhance health and safety, and we invite true collaboration and dialogue with public officials as we focus on solutions.

Representative DeBerry’s legislation would sever the partnership between Tennessee colleges and universities and the fraternities and sororities on their campuses. It is a misguided approach that has not only failed to garner a Senate companion, but won’t solve deeply-rooted campus culture issues and would likely make them worse. Together, as interfraternal organizations, we call on Rep. DeBerry to withdraw his bill, which if implemented, would have a chilling effect on a student’s basic constitutional rights of freedom of expression and association.”

DANI WEATHERFORD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL PANHELLENIC CONFERENCE

“From leading programs to combat sexual violence to volunteering as mentors to empower future female leaders, sorority women are consistently among the most active members of our campus communities. They’re committed students at the forefront of some of the most pressing challenges facing women today. This disappointing and short-sighted piece of legislation not only attacks basic student rights, but turns a blind eye to the contributions made by more than 10,000 sorority women on 16 campuses and by thousands of sorority alumnae in countless communities across the Volunteer State.”

FRANCISCO LUGO, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LATINO FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS

“Our organizations provide a powerful experience for underrepresented students on campuses. Allowing this legislation to move forward would greatly impact the ability for state schools to continue to provide a diverse, inclusive and equitable environment on their campuses.”

VIGOR LAM, VICE CHAIR OF THE NATIONAL APIDA PANHELLENIC ASSOCIATION

“NAPA believes in the mission and values of our association and the fraternal experience. With the past 2016 House bill proposing to divert UT’s diversity funding, our organizations are more important than ever to advocate for and to be a strong voice for the Asian American identity and issues, as well as the fraternity and sorority experience.”

VICTORIA VALDEZ, PRESIDENT OF THE NATIONAL MULTICULTURAL GREEK COUNCIL

“Multicultural fraternities and sororities like those in the National Multicultural Greek Council are integral to the lives of the students who find safety and community in their organizations, particularly those who face the daily trauma of existing as students of color or other underrepresented communities. We stand firmly against hazing, but believe banning Greek-letter organizations and their activities will hurt those students, who are committed to the promotion of multiculturalism, scholarship, leadership, diversity, and advocating for justice on their campus and in their communities. It would also push hazing and other dangerous behaviors underground, potentially harming those it seeks to protect.”

JUDSON HORRAS, PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INTERFRATERNITY CONFERENCE

“The way to bring out the best in young men is to utilize brotherhood to mentor, inspire, and hold them accountable to shared standards—not to limit their basic constitutional rights. Fraternities acknowledge the challenges in college communities and remain committed to working with our trusted higher education partners in Tennessee to improve campus culture.”

LYNDA WILEY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ASSOCIATION OF FRATERNITY/SORORITY ADVISORS

“Prohibiting public universities from recognizing fraternities and sororities does a huge disservice to the overwhelming number of students that have a positive membership experience. Doing so does not solve systemic problems of alcohol abuse, sexual assault or hazing that occur within the college community or broader society. On the contrary, strong university recognition, which includes employing trained professionals that work with fraternities and sororities, is key in educating students and preventing problems from occurring in the first place.”

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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 approximately 418,000 undergraduate members and nearly 5 million alumnae.

About the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, Inc., (NALFO) is an “umbrella” coalition established in 1998 to promote and foster positive interfraternal relations, communication, and development of all Latino fraternal organizations through mutual respect, leadership, honesty, professionalism and education.

About the National APIDA Panhellenic Association
NAPA organizations set the gold standard for Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) fraternities and sororities. In addition to meeting the association’s base standards, NAPA member organizations are exposed to resources and expertise to help them continually improve and be the best they can be. Universities, Greek Councils, and students want the best APIDA fraternities and sororities on campus and they can find them in NAPA.

About the National Multicultural Greek Council
The National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC) is an umbrella council for a coalition of Multicultural Greek-Letter Organizations (MGLOs). Established in 1998, the NMGC’s mission is to promote multiculturalism by advocating for justice and equity, cultivating interfraternal relationships, and empowering its member organizations.

About the North American Interfraternity Conference
The NIC is the trade association that represents a diverse range of inter/national men’s fraternities. NIC’s 66 member organizations boast more than 6,100 chapters located on more than 800 campuses, with 385,000 undergraduate members and 4.2 million alumni.

About the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors
Through programs, publications, networking opportunities and other resources, AFA represents the community of headquarters and campus-based fraternity and sorority advisors and is the leading voice in aligning the fraternity/sorority and higher education experiences.

The Open Letter we shared in March outlined the Conference’s position on community-wide, blanket actions, and its guidance still holds true today. Here is some additional, important information on our philosophy:

The NIC applauds recent student-led actions that aim to tackle critical issues on college campuses, such as alcohol and substance abuse, hazing and sexual misconduct.

IFCs considering collective action should follow guidelines to address behaviors that risk the health and safety of their community members.

Alcohol abuse on college campuses is a public health concern, and a consistent, campus-wide approach helps address this concern—both in fraternity communities and beyond.

The NIC supports campus-administered restrictions that limit access to alcohol if the policies are equally applied across all student organizations. We applaud President Thrasher’s recent decision to eliminate events with alcohol for all 700 student organizations at Florida State University.

The NIC will vigorously advocate for the rights of students to assemble in ways that develop their personal and intellectual growth.

Chapter study groups, service and philanthropy projects, business meetings, spiritual gatherings, prevention programs, or alcohol-free social interactions should not be limited as these experiences positively impact a student’s development.

In the wake of a tragic loss in a community, fraternity men and the NIC are prepared to work closely with our campus partners, students and alumni to respond appropriately in such a challenging and difficult time.

Now more than ever, students, alumni, community members, national organizations, and university administrators must come together to create ownership and accountability toward measures for change. We know critical issues that are deeply rooted in culture aren’t going to be solved with quick fixes. It is going to take intentional collaboration and comprehensive strategies.

NIC AND CHAPTERSPOT ALSO COLLABORATE ON SOCIALSAFE APP DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION

Indianapolis, Nov. 30, 2017—The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and Foundation for Fraternal Excellence (FFE) are partnering with ChapterSpot, a leader in the fraternal technology space, and the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) to develop a cutting-edge data warehouse that will support advancement of the fraternal experience. This new data initiative is part of the NIC’s priority to increase data-driven engagement and impact among fraternal organizations, host institutions and members. It will also enable the FFE’s implementation of a community foundation model to improve the collective impact and sophistication of fraternal philanthropy and provide operational support for emerging fraternal foundations.

We are thrilled to be a part of this forward-thinking project that will strengthen and shape the future of the fraternal industry,” said NPC Executive Director Dani Weatherford. “While we are partnering at the beginning of this initiative, we know in the long term that this data warehouse will reach and serve many other interfraternal organizations and associations as we move forward.”

ChapterSpot is a service provider for Salesforce integration, allowing the NIC, FFE and NPC to utilize the technology industry’s most powerful tool for data management, communication and collaboration and blend it with the ChapterSpot team’s expertise in the interfraternal community. Through the capabilities of this technology and the data warehouse, organizations will be able to better identify industry-wide trends, make data-driven decisions and streamline processes.

ChapterSpot is excited to take the Salesforce platform and configure it to fit the large-scale and unique needs of fraternities and sororities,” said Joe McMenemon, co-founder of ChapterSpot. “We’re using the best technology and expertise for our organizations to create systems that will support positive change.”

This technology will also enable the NIC and ChapterSpot to develop SocialSafe, another project to develop a new web/mobile application. Social Safe will support the NIC’s health and safety pilot program to help chapters and communities better manage and plan safer social events.

To lead the development of these systems, Joe Budde Jr. has joined the NIC team as Chief Information Officer. Budde comes to the NIC following an eight-year career with Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and Foundation where he served as Chief Financial Officer and Director of Business Operations. In these roles, he provided leadership in a wide range of functions from finance and accounting to implementing software for intra-chapter communication support and membership management. He also pioneered strategies for Beta Theta Pi’s use of information technology systems to meet the mission of the fraternity and foundation.

Joe is an incredible process and data strategist with an exceptional understanding of the fraternal industry,” said NIC President & CEO Judson Horras. “His work will help organizations reach operational excellence that not only supports our efforts as a conference, but will also help us better engage individual members at the chapter level.”

Budde’s extensive experience with information systems and technology is coupled with a passion for fraternal excellence and leadership.

The NIC is doing incredible work to create the partnerships and relationships that are the cornerstone for helping young men live lives of character,” Budde said. “I’m excited to further those relationships by building infrastructure that improves the experience for our students, host institutions, member groups and industry partners.”

Budde joined Beta Theta Pi’s Alpha Chapter at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and currently serves as a Board Member of the Alpha Chapter House Company. He earned bachelor’s degrees in both business finance and political science, and was a project manager for Miami University’s rigorous Interactive Media Studies Practicum that connects students with real clients to develop digital technology solutions for business needs. His role earned him an Apex Award, an industry-based recognition program that honors excellent work in web, digital and social media.

Like so many, as I read the horrific details about the events surrounding Timothy Piazza’s death, I found myself completely shaken. As a father, I struggle to imagine how Tim’s parents must feel, especially since their loss was senseless and preventable. As an alumnus of Beta Theta Pi, I’m embarrassed and angry.

In my role as President and CEO of the North American Interfraternity Conference, people are asking me, “How do we fix Penn State’s fraternity culture?”

The reality is that substance abuse and hazing are not isolated to Penn State, and they are not isolated to fraternities. Research shows how many high school graduates come to college already having experience with both—meaning these problems are pervasive across thousands of high schools and hundreds of college campuses.

Because so many people—fraternity men, parents, alumni and campus administrators—know the value and benefits of a good fraternal experience and want to see it continue and evolve, they are coming to me with “we should” statements. Their motivation is right—we must do something. But we must also recognize that many of the industry’s best prevention practices—substance-free housing, a live-in advisor, an anti-hazing policy, and strong educational programming—were already in place for this chapter at Penn State.

Clearly parents, alumni, campus administrators and national fraternity organizations must continue to maintain strong expectations and provide education that fosters health and safety for all students. When it comes to accountability, we must immediately respond with strong action to ensure unacceptable behavior isn’t tolerated.

Yet, the uncomfortable truth is that the inherent limitation of our interventions is that they attempt to influence student behavior from a position of external power. Time and time again, we are humbled by the fact that our efforts are shallow unless students are committed to doing the right thing in the moment. While so many outstanding students do rise to the challenge of leadership, others fall short of their responsibility to effectively govern.

Therefore, we must pause to ask tough questions about the student experience before moving forward:

• How do students embrace meaningful and safe rites of passage instead of dangerous “traditions,” which many seek no matter how many times we warn against them?
• How do students keep substance abuse and hazing out of their chapters when so many come to college having experienced these things in high school?
• How do students craft positive experiences when they are so heavily influenced by popular media sources that glorify substance abuse and hazing?
• How do students pay attention to their gut to do what is right—in this case, call 9-1-1—rather than be overcome by desires to belong and avoid getting in trouble?
• How do students work on long-term change initiatives that require hardiness and perseverance when they have grown up in a world of instant gratification?

As parents, alumni, campus administrators and national fraternity organizations, we must also ask difficult questions of ourselves:

• How do we work with students when their daily interactions are on technology platforms designed to disrupt traditional forms of authority and accountability?
• How do we have authentic conversations with students about responsible drinking when so many see the legal drinking age as a speed bump to their fun?
• How do we approach students with firm expectations and accountability, while being humble and authentic about our own shortcomings?
• How do we embrace increased levels of transparency, as sunlight is the best disinfectant?
• How do we facilitate openness for students to seek help when they are constantly bombarded with declarations of zero tolerance with severe consequences?
• How do we prioritize addressing substance abuse and hazing when higher education is equally challenged with important issues like mental health, sexual assault and inclusivity?
• How do we foster the necessary stakeholder buy-in and collaboration toward significant change, requiring an investment of time, when society demands immediate results?
• How do we remain faithful that the clear majority of good students will rise to the challenge of doing the right thing?

Such deep reflection isn’t inaction—it’s an important step that lays the foundation for transformational change. Fraternal leaders have been asking questions like these as we work together to address critical issues facing fraternity men.

Our Vision for Fraternity Communities, crafted by higher education and fraternal experts, provides a framework to prepare communities for change; foster humble, confident fraternity men; and address substance abuse. This blueprint is designed to meet students and campuses where they are, with the goal of bringing local stakeholders together to move their campus culture in the right direction. Our plan is to work with more than 20 campuses next year to implement these reforms, including Penn State, and more in the future.

At the core of fraternity is the notion that people united around a common purpose can do greater good together than on their own. This tragedy serves as a powerful call that we must redouble our commitment to work together to develop young men who are ready to lead their communities with empathy, respect and integrity.

Judson Horras
NIC President & CEO