In a March 18 email to Emory fraternity and sorority members, Emory’s Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life (OSFL) reprimanded members for disregarding social distancing guidelines on campus and warned of possible consequences.
The email marks the second notice in two days sent to sorority and fraternity students. A March 16 email, which came after “several fraternity houses” were found hosting parties on the night of March 15, stated that any chapter that continues hosting such gatherings will be met with social probation until the end of Fall 2020.
“The current situation with COVID-19 dictates social distancing and self-isolation where possible,” the March 16 email states. “Toward that end, we are extremely disappointed with some of the students in our community, as there were parties and gatherings within several fraternity houses last night. This is unacceptable and must cease immediately.”
The March 18 email further mandated that, beyond the possibility of chapter social probation, any student found in violation of such guidelines will be asked to leave campus.
Both emails did not specify which chapters held the gatherings. What constitutes a “social gathering” is up to the discretion of OSFL, the email reads. Additional consequences beyond social probation may also occur.
“We know that you want to spend time with your friends, who you might not see for quite a while, but your health and their health take priority in this situation,” the March 18 email stated.
Assistant Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life Joshua Gamse, President of the Emory Interfraternity Council Matthew Gulley (21B) and Vice President of the Emory Interfraternity Council Matthew Cope (21B) did not respond to the Wheel’s request for comment.
Copy Editor | ccsilva@emory.edu |
Caroline Silva (22C) is from São Paulo, Brazil, but currently resides in Atlanta. She is double majoring in English and philosophy while also pursuing her English MA. In addition to the Wheel, she is president of her sorority, The Alpha Nu Chapter of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, and of the Emory Multicultural Greek Council. She was previously a reporter for the Orlando Weekly and now reports for the Breaking News and Crime and Public Safety teams at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In her free time, she can be found writing poetry and playing video games.
