The fraternity and sorority community at U-M is comprised of four self-governing councils: Interfraternity Council (IFC), Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and the Panhellenic Association (Panhellenic).
Below is a statement from the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association regarding the plan to Strengthen The First-Year Experience announced in March 2018.
March 22, 2018
As University of Michigan students, we take pride in the University’s promise to uphold our rights to take initiative and pursue self-development. This promise is outlined in the Statement of Student Rights and Responsibilities and Standard of Conduct for Recognized Student Organizations, granting all students and Recognized Student Organizations explicit rights and freedoms. This includes “the right of students to freely associated and freely express themselves without coercion or undue influence from the University.” The University’s recent decision to restrict opportunities afforded to first-year students during their first semester directly infringes upon these basic rights guaranteed to Wolverines and Recognized Student Organizations.
We believe that having open access to a plethora of opportunities is vital for students to develop the life skills, support system, and community necessary to thrive in their first year and beyond. The University of Michigan prides itself in offering this diverse array of opportunities to students of all backgrounds, experiences, and interests. This decision not only undermines this unique feature that the University takes pride in, but sets a dangerous precedent for the University to interfere with internal decision making processes of Recognized Student Organizations. Further, failing to include student input devalues the partnership that Recognized Student Organizations have had with the University for decades.
As student leaders, we acknowledge and support the need for an enhanced first year experience in the form of expanded resources and programs. In the future, we hope to collaborate with the Division of Student Life to ensure that each Wolverine has an impactful first-year experience filled with academic success and positive personal growth. However, we do not believe that these necessary developments should interfere with the rights of students and Recognized Student Organizations.
Recognized Student Organizations are fortunate to enjoy the privilege of having a cooperative and constructive relationship with the University. The University must respect this collaborative relationship to ensure the future success of all Recognized Student Organizations. We urge the administration to reconsider and work collaboratively with student leaders to best align positive first-year experiences with continued student and Recognized Student Organization efforts. We are optimistic about potential solutions that collaboration between the University and students will foster.