September 28, 2023
An open letter to our fraternity & sorority community,
At the start of each academic year, we share a letter with our entire FSL community – current and new members, chapter advisors, housing corporation members, chapter alumni, national office leadership, and families of all members – because it takes everyone to create and maintain a culture of kindness, inclusion, respect, and safety.
In recent years, you have likely heard of student deaths caused by hazing and alcohol or drug abuse across college campuses. You may also be aware of hazing violations for which some of our own chapters have been held responsible. These incidents are heartbreaking, especially because they are preventable. These tragedies can happen anywhere when vigilance and respect for the others’ well-being are absent. Hazing, high-risk drinking, drug abuse, and sexual violence are serious issues that directly go against the values of each of our organizations.
While these concerns are not limited to Greek life, we want to remind all of our fraternity and sorority community members of the values and standards we must uphold. This is especially important because of the leadership, scholarship and service roles each of you hold across our campus. As we embark upon a new academic year, we know that students are eager for social engagement. As we get to share and enjoy new experiences, exciting events, and memorable membership processes, we must remember the extremely important role we each have in caring for ourselves and each other. With that being said, we urge you to join us in rededicating ourselves to enormously important truths:
Hazing, high-risk drinking, drug abuse, and sexual violence have no place on our campus.
We are better, and we should want better for our community.
This letter is a reminder to our entire community about the risks we face and the role we have to combat them. It is imperative that we are each courageous and intentional in our actions. It is our responsibility to treat others with dignity and respect. We ask each member of every organization to recommit to your values and adhere to organization and campus policies. But most importantly—we need you to care.
The following page contains important resources of which we want you to be aware. Please reach out if you are motivated to improve a situation, are/become aware of something that should be addressed or suspect something is wrong or in violation of University policies. Your engagement is critical to the culture, safety, and sustainability of our fraternity and sorority community. It will take our entire community to facilitate the culture of kindness and respect required to combat hazing, high-risk drinking, drug abuse, and sexual violence.
Sincerely,
|
Charlotte Fant Pegues, Ph.D. Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
|
Brent A. Marsh, Ph.D. Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs & Dean of Students |
Jess Turuc Director, Fraternity & Sorority Life |
Ashton Heath Interfraternity Council President |
Caitlyn Horton National Pan-Hellenic Council President |
Kasia Hosey Panhellenic Council President |
I believe in respect for the dignity of each person. – The University of Mississippi Creed
To report any hazing-related behavior, please complete the Hazing Report Form at:
https://umatter.olemiss.edu/hazinginfo/
Recent steps taken at UM to further address high-risk behaviors and safety concerns within our community:
- Mandatory new student education regarding alcohol/drugs and violence prevention/sexual assault
- Updates to the event registration process and university policies to address safety issues and help curb high-risk behavior
- Encouragement to download the Rave Guardian mobile safety app
- Offered QPR (Question – Persuade – Refer) training to student leaders
- Re-designing StandKIND, one of Fraternity & Sorority Life’s signature programs focused on harm reduction education, to reach new and general members of each chapter
- Posted Registered Student Organization conduct history online to enhance transparency
- Disrupt the Culture program by the Magee Center offered or assigned to organizations to prevent hazing
Key University Policies:
Alcohol, Drugs, and Paraphernalia Policy
Game Day & Game Day Activities & Events
RSO Football Gameday Tent Setup
University Resources:
Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
UMatter: Student Support & Advocacy
Violence Intervention & Prevention Services
Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
William Magee Center for AOD Wellness Education
Additional Resources:
NIC Standards: Health & Safety
Panhellenic Manual of Information
NPHC Joint Statement on Hazing