According to a report in Bloomberg, “57 people have been killed or paralyzed in accidents linked to fraternities since 2005,” but many of the national chapters refuse to take any kind of responsibility for what happens at the local college chapters. One risk management expert says, “They want to wash their hands of the problem and say it’s their brothers’ fault, it’s their chapters fault,” while refusing to take any responsibility as the overall governing body.
Read the full article here.
Most nationals also require local chapters to carry their own insurance for stuff like this.
The local chapters should be the ones held accountable for their poor choices.
The people pushing the nationals to be held accountable are likely the lawyers looking for deep pockets. That’s why the colleges and universities where the fraternities and sororities are get named in civil suits as well.
I would want the chapter held accountable over the school, as well.
Wow- how about Sororities?
While granted I am biased as a Sigma Phi Epsilon alumnus, I feel that this article unfairly argues that the national fraternity should take responsibility for the activities of legal adults, especially considering that the national organizations very actively push for hazing-free and alcohol-free organizations. t If the national organization simply turned a blind eye or encouraged these activities, then I would agree with the article completely, however, while I can’t speak for other organizations, the Sigma Phi Epsilon national organization fights against hazing, drug abuse, and sexual assault at the chapter level. Sigma Phi Epsilon requires annual risk management… Read more »