Winthrop proactive on fraternity problems

Recent incidents involving fraternities at the University of South Carolina and Clemson University have prompted some state lawmakers to call for a clampdown on the Greek system at both schools. We take comfort in the fact that while Winthrop University has also is taking voluntary steps to prevent similar incidents, officials there have good reason to believe Winthrop is ahead of many other schools in guarding against such problems.

The infractions that raised lawmakers’ attention are both appalling – a so-called “Cripmas” party at Clemson Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity where students dressed like black gang members – and tragic – an 18-year-old pledge at Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity at USC died last month of alcohol poisoning. While these incidents are extreme examples of problems at fraternities and sororities, the Greek system nationwide long has been plagued with issues such as substance and alcohol abuse, sexual assault and hazing.

But Winthrop began tackling the problems at fraternities and sororities more than 25 years ago, and school officials continue to keep a close watch now.

“We don’t wait to react,” said Frank Ardaiolo, vice president of Winthrop’s student life division, which includes organizations such as student fraternities and sororities.

Oversight includes requiring fraternities and sororities to meet one-on-one with university officials before holding any off-campus parties. Fraternities and sororities are required to submit guest lists and follow rules worked out between Winthrop and Rock Hill police more than two decades ago.

Greek organizations also are required to hire a police officer to attend the event, which is farther than many schools go.

One of the most effective tools in preventing problems within the Greek system, we think, is Winthrop’s policy requiring all students to live on campus during their freshman and sophomore years. Winthrop officials say that the rule allows for better supervision of young students while giving them time to adjust to life at the university.

This has paid off in better academic performance and higher retention levels for students, said school officials. We suspect it also has given students time to mature and learn about the variety of different residential possibilities before rushing to pledge a fraternity or sorority.

In recent years, Winthrop has placed only two of its 15 Greek organizations on suspension – a low figure compared to other schools in the state. And those cases involved verbal hazing, not physical abuse, or drug or alcohol problems.

To be fair, the Greek system at Winthrop is not the big deal it is at some other schools. Winthrop averages about 500 to 600 students a year who join a fraternity or sorority, which is only about 10 percent of the student population.

Compare that to USC and Clemson, where the percentage is double that and students pledging a Greek organization number in the thousands at each school.

But, perhaps, to some extent, the smaller percentage of Winthrop students joining fraterniites or sororities could be due to students’ living on campus for their first two years and learning that joining a Greek organization is not the only path to a happy social life at college.

Winthrop has had good results from its careful oversight of Greek organizations. We’re glad to see, however, that officials continue to monitor fraternities and sororities and seek ways to protect students from some of the potential hazards of Greek life while also giving them the freedom to have a good time.

This story was originally published April 16, 2015 at 5:23 PM with the headline "Winthrop proactive on fraternity problems."