May 6, 2014
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
I write to share with you a recent Board of Trustees decision concerning fraternity membership. In 1984, the board prohibited the use of any College facilities or resources, including money and staff time, by fraternities or sororities and revoked any College affiliation with, or recognition of, these organizations. The board has voted to reaffirm the 1984 Trustees’ Resolution on Fraternities and, effective July 1, 2014, to prohibit student participation in fraternities and sororities and fraternity-like and sorority-like organizations, either on or off campus. Violations of this decision will be treated consistent with other violations of the Honor Code, which sets forth standards and expectations that apply to all students, faculty and staff.
I am attaching the board’s statement and resolution, which explain the history and reasoning behind our reaffirmation of the 1984 prohibition on fraternities and sororities and also commit the College to new efforts on behalf of student life. We believe deeply that the residential experience is vital to an Amherst education, and will continue to do all we can to strengthen it.
Trustee Andrew Nussbaum ’85 and I will be on campus next Monday, May 12, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., in the Cole Assembly Room in Converse Hall, to speak with anyone who has questions about this decision.
Thank you for your attention to this announcement.
Sincerely,
Cullen Murphy ’74 Chair, Board of Trustees