Dialogue Primer: Greek Life
This week, in the place of our planned debate we will be holding a dialogue--not a debate--on everything that’s been on students’ minds recently, and we want to hear your criticisms of and suggestions for the university. This blog post won’t be the same kind of debate primer that you’ve seen each weekend; instead, we thought it would be most helpful to piece together a timeline of the major developments in the campus-wide conversation over Greek life and administrative response.
September 24, 2021
Northwestern disclosed reports of individuals being “drugged without consent” at a gathering at Alpha Epsilon Pi, but neglected to disclose that it took place at a fraternity event.
September 25, 2021
Northwestern disclosed a second instance of individuals being “drugged without consent” at a gathering at Sigma Alpha Epsilon, but again neglected to disclose that it took place at a fraternity event.
September 27, 2021
Student protests are held at both the Alpha Epsilon Pi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon houses in response to the recent druggings.
September 27, 2021
Northwestern’s Interfraternity Council opens investigations into recent allegations of druggings at Alpha Epsilon Pi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
September 27, 2021
An Op-Ed is released, written by Isabel Podolsky, a student who reported being drugged on the night of September 23. The Op-Ed details the unacceptable level of care she received at the NorthShore Evanston Hospital.
September 28, 2021
Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s national headquarters issues a cease and desist against Northwestern’s chapter of the fraternity.
October 1, 2021
Northwestern Vice-President Julie Payne-Kirchmeier communicates further action on behalf of the administration including the provision that “all social and recruiting activities at fraternities in the Interfraternity Council are prohibited through at least Oct. 17, to include Reunion Weekend. The restrictions may be extended.”
Further testimonials into experiences surrounding Greek Life have been documented on the Abolish NU Greek Life Instagram page.
Image credit: "Northwestern University" by vxla is licensed under CC BY 2.0
