Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) sent a letter to University President Gregory Fenves on April 15 on behalf of Emory University’s Kappa Sigma fraternity chapter. The letter states that “Emory’s interim punishment of its Kappa Sigma Fraternity chapter violates the university’s free speech and due process policies.”
FIRE is a nonprofit organization that defends individuals’ rights related to free speech, due process and academic freedom throughout the United States.
The Emory Wheel acquired FIRE’s demand from a source with access to the letter who wished to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation.
Zachary Greenberg, a FIRE attorney on the campus advocacy team, signed the letter and wrote that Emory violated the University’s Open Expression Policy.
“These sanctions contravene Emory’s laudable commitment to protecting ‘freedom of thought, inquiry, speech, activism, and assembly’ and to honoring ‘the protections and principles of free speech and assembly as set forth in the First Amendment,’” Greenberg wrote.
On March 28, the University imposed an interim suspension and no-contact directives on Kappa Sigma before holding a hearing or finding the fraternity responsible for any misconduct regarding “reports of hazing allegations,” according to the letter.
Greenberg also cited a disciplinary letter from Associate Director of Student Conduct Sari-Jai Walker sent to Kappa Sigma. FIRE’s demand stated that Walker’s disciplinary letter prohibited the fraternity from hosting social functions, new member education, chapter meetings and philanthropy events on or off campus during their interim suspension.
Likewise, the no-contact directive prohibits members of Kappa Sigma from any contact with new members. Greenberg also questioned the vagueness of the University's prohibitions.
“Moreover, these vague and overly broad restrictions fail to warn students about what exactly is prohibited,” Greenberg wrote. “Does the ban on ‘chapter activities’ and ‘social functions’ encompass routine activities such as dining together or walking to class as a group?”
In an email to The Emory Wheel, Assistant Director of University Communications Rachel Smith said the University had no information to share regarding the letter. Kappa Sigma President Adam Landstein (26C) and Interfraternity Council (IFC) President Wyatt Besnoy (27C) denied the Wheel’s request for comment.
Former IFC President Daniel Archondo (25C) said that Emory’s “lack of transparency and involvement” leaves Greek organizations feeling ignored during investigations. Archondo also noted the implications of having fraternities move their social events off campus.
“I would much rather be drunk on campus, five minutes away from my freshman dorm or whatever, than at some skeezy Buckhead bar or somebody's random house.”
Archondo also noted that some raised concerns to the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, stating that strict policies may have adverse effects on student safety.
“Everybody already does do more things off campus, which is less safe for students,” Archondo said.
Greenberg demanded that Emory provide a response to his letter by April 22, stating that the University must remove all interim sanctions on Kappa Sigma. FIRE did not disclose what further action their organization may take if the University fails to respond by the given date.
Executive Editor Maddy Shapiro (26C), Managing Editors Catherine Goodman (26C), Lauren Yee (27C), Jack Rutherford (27C) and Section Editors Siya Kumar (28C), Carly Aikens (27C), Hunter Buchheit (28C), Amelia Bush (28C), Sammy Brodsky (28C), Chloe Nam (28C), Ivana Chen (27C) and Alex Gerson (27C) are current members of Greek life organizations. None were involved in the writing or editing of this article.
Clement Lee (he/him) (24Ox, 26B) is majoring in Business with area depths in Information Systems and Operations Management and Business Analytics. He is originally from Strasbourg, France, but now resides in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Outside the Wheel, Clement enjoys watching movies, running long distances and playing golf. You can find him leisurely reading Marcel Proust's, "In Search of Lost Time" on the Quad.
