Sorority violations increasing

More sororities have been found to have violated regulations this year, which Greek leaders attribute to an increase in oversight and poor conduct.

Two of the 10 Panhellenic sororities were placed on social probation by the Greek Judicial Board last semester for such violations. This semester, one has been put on probation, and another is speaking with its national headquarters about possible infractions.

Usually only one sorority or none at all are placed on social probation each year, so two in a semester is higher than the University’s average, said Laurie Curnes, Greek Judicial Board co-chairwoman.

She said the increase in charges is because of both a rise in rule breaking and a better awareness by board members.

“I’d say maybe the oversight and scrutiny has gotten a little heightened in the past year or so, but it’s the combination of that and some groups testing boundaries and definitely doing things they shouldn’t,” Curnes said.

Full social probation suspends all of a sorority’s social functions for a semester, including cocktails and parents’ weekends.

The Chi Omega sorority is currently on probation because of sanctions imposed by its national headquarters. Curnes said the sorority violated provisions of the Standards of Excellence document.

Lauren Ellis, Chi Omega president, could not be reached for comment.

The Delta Delta Delta sorority is working with its national headquarters regarding charges of hazing new members during Bid Day.

“We plan to make the most of this learning experience” said Meredith Sammons, Delta Delta Delta president, in an e-mail.

Curnes said the current judicial board has a better knowledge of what’s going on in sororities than in previous years — and she said she hopes future leaders continue to keep tabs on sororities and fraternities alike.

The board is in the process of finding a new chairwoman for the next two semesters.

“I’m hoping she’s going to play a bigger role in building up the risk management standards for Panhellenic,” Curnes said.

The current probations were mandated by the sororities’ national headquarters, said Jenny Levering, assistant dean for fraternity and sorority life.

The usual process for a sorority going on social probation begins with a meeting between sorority members and the Greek Judicial Board when a violation is reported.

“Panhellenic chapters come in with all of the information, and they’ve always taken responsibility,” Levering said.

The sorority members and the board come up with a sanction. The minutes of the conversation are sent to the individual sorority’s national headquarters where the headquarters determine if the sanction is appropriate.

The Delta Delta Delta sorority’s national headquarters intervened before the sorority was able to meet with the Greek Judicial Board.

Sanctions imposed on sororities do not only include full social probation. Other penalties include mandatory seminars and fines.

“From a student perspective, social probation is the hot ticket item,” Levering said.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.