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The national Phi Kappa Psi fraternity organization announced massive changes to its pledging and alcohol policies on Tuesday, March 6. The changes come in the wake of an increase in hazing, alcohol abuse and sexual assault reports across college campuses. Four fraternity pledges died in the United States last year.
According to reports, the organization’s decision comes as some universities across the nation have suspended and shut down fraternities over the last year.
The new policies state that Phi Psi will ban hard alcohol over 15 percent alcohol by volume in chapter houses. Furthermore, alcohol above 15 percent ABV can only be provided and served by a licensed, third-party vendor at an off-site location. In addition, a certification program for chapter advisors will be launched in fall 2018.
The certification program will consist of a series of required and elective components to better help educate volunteers on policies and prepare advisors to address issues facing today’s college students.
via Phi Kappa Psi:
These changes are being made as the Fraternity’s leadership continues to evaluate the experience of its members. Over the past 18 months, the Fraternity has been examining new ways to respond to underlying issues that have challenged Phi Kappa Psi and the entire fraternity and sorority industry. Given campus reports of hazing, alcohol abuse, and sexual assault, it is imperative changes be made for the safety of Fraternity members and their guests.
Phi Kappa Psi leaders have worked with various experts to provide members with risk prevention education via our ELEVATE Health & Wellness initiative, enhanced standards, and collaborative efforts with universities when an issue arises. However, this is not simply a programming issue and more work must be done to teach healthy brotherhood. The goal is to create an environment within chapters where brothers help one another live our organization’s standards, our Creed and our Ritual.
“With all the transformative efforts the Fraternity has undertaken, we are in a good place to not only respond to the changing environment, but to be leaders who address issues head-on by aligning our actions with the Phi Kappa Psi Creed, which calls upon members to strengthen their character, strive for moral excellence and to honor themselves and the Fraternity, ” said Brother James D. Boyle (Washington ’88), national president of Phi Kappa Psi. “The best way to continue excelling is by setting new standards and working with our host institutions to successfully solve critical issues.”
This is the latest major fraternity policy change in the last year, as schools such as Indiana University, the University of Michigan, Ohio State University, Texas State, Florida State, Ball State, Louisiana State and Penn State have all suspended fraternities in the wake of hazing and alcohol deaths.
Phi Kappa Psi was founded on February 19, 1852 at Jefferson College by William Henry Letterman and Charles Page Thomas Moore.
