Following an alleged hate crime in Ogg Hall in December, the Interfraternity Council unanimously passed a resolution earlier this week that condemns hate crimes and provides suggestions for disciplinary action.
Harry Stein, internal vice president and IFC representative, drafted the resolution at the beginning of February and circulated it around his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha. The IFC passed it Feb. 20.
Stein said the resolution was only partially a response to the alleged hate crime that took place in Ogg Dec. 21. UW-Madison freshman Michael Riha, a member of Sigma Chi, is one of four students accused of defacing the property of an LGBT liaison.
'We wanted to make clear that if in fact they did what they were accused of doing, [that they] don't represent the fraternity community. The resolution does not make specific reference to them,' Stein said.
Non-discrimination and acceptance are part of the basic tenants of fraternal life and the resolution hopes to emphasize these points.
'When someone does something like this, it reflects not only on them and their fraternity, but the whole fraternity system here. We want to make that image as positive as possible,' Stein said.
The resolution states: 'The IFC stands in solidarity with all under-represented communities on the UW-Madison campus; the IFC condemns all acts of hate, especially those that occur at our University.'
The act also encourages increased awareness and educational programs for under-represented communities on campus. IFC worked in conjunction with the LGBT Campus Center to word the resolution to be more inclusive of these groups.
Member fraternities are also encouraged 'to use strong disciplinary measures, including expulsion when appropriate, against any brother or pledge found guilty of a hate crime.'
According to Stein, the IFC does not have jurisdiction to enforce the suggested actions in the resolution. The ability to act on the guidelines lies entirely within the individual fraternities.
When asked if they would discipline Riha, members of Sigma Chi declined to go on record.
While most of the resolution's points are already stated in the IFC constitution, the organization was also open to suggestions made by the LGBT Campus Center.
'I provided them with some suggestions on things that could be changed; they did accept those,' said Erik Trekell, director of the LGBT Campus Center.
'I think it's a great step on their part to reiterate what are actually fundamental tenets of their organizations,' Trekell said. 'Overall, I am satisfied with their resolution.'
