Reaction to proposed fraternity rules at Mizzou

Tonight, there’s an uproar of reaction on social media about a proposed set of rules that would put limitations on fraternities at MU. The proposed rules were created by the MU Fraternity Alumni Consortium.

There has been a Twitter account created in response called “Stop Loftin,” in response. Although, Chancellor R. Bowen Loftin did not create the recommendations.

The rules would put limitations on alcohol, out of town parties and female visitors.

ABC 17 News reached out to the Fraternity Consortium today, to ask about the recommendations, but didn’t hear back.

According to a number of sources, the rules were put in place as an effort to combat sexual assault.

Here are the speculated rules:
– Women would not be allowed in fraternity houses overnight certain days of the week.
– Liquor would be banned at parties, only beer would be allowed.
– Formals would no longer be able to be held out of town.
– Drug testing for all Greek members. A source tells ABC 17 this may not be included any more.

“I think the only thing that might be a good idea with the whole scheme of things is beer only. I feel like the liquor does contribute to kids drinking too much. But i don’t think it needs to be taken this far,” said Cameron Price, an MU fraternity member.

“I was really surprised from what I have heard about these proposals about the lack of consideration of women’s opinion on this matter,” said Paul Sidney Silvio, an MU fraternity alumnus.

The Panhellenic Association, representing sorority members at Mizzou, wrote a letter to Chancellor Loftin addressing the issues.

It said, “The goal is to address the safety of women students in fraternity houses, but the proposal was written by men who are not entrenched in daily campus, fraternity and sorority life.”

Some fraternity members expressed to ABC 17 they feel like fraternities are being singled out.

ABC 17 spoke with University representatives today who say they are constantly working to make Mizzou a safer campus, but that the chancellor had no part in writing these proposed rules.

However, Chancellor Loftin will host a forum this summer to discuss the proposed rules from the Consortium. Students and MU administrators are invited to attend and share their thoughts.

ABC 17 spoke with MU system president Tim Wolfe’s office today who says the president has not seen a final draft of these proposed rules.