Should we ban frats?

Allegations of a sexual assault at Cornell University have reopened the debate over fraternities. Seven members of Chi Phi House are accused in a lawsuit of gang rape at a fraternity party in 2024. The men all deny the accusation but a criminal investigation is now underway by the New York State Attorney General. 

In response to the allegations and public outrage, Cornell has suspended parties and social gatherings at fraternities for the rest of the year. But many are asking if that’s enough. This latest assault allegation follows many other examples of egregious behavior over the years, including sexual assaults and hazing incidents, some of which led to deaths. At Penn State in 2017, sophomore Timothy Piazza died from falling down stairs intoxicated during a hazing ritual. Fraternities are also associated with higher rates of sexual violence. 

So should fraternities be banned altogether? Some people say there’s something inherently wrong with the fraternity model, which gives privileged male students too much power. But supporters of Greek life say we shouldn’t allow the worst incidents to overshadow the larger benefits. They say most students benefit from frats by making lifelong friendships, participating in community service, and building career networks.  And for the schools, alumni are big financial donors. 

This episode, can fraternities be fixed or is frat culture beyond repair? 

Guests:

• Adam McCready, associate professor of Higher Education at University of Connecticut  
• Lisa Wade, professor of sociology at Tulane University and author of the forthcoming, Exposed: A College in Crisis Puts Science to the Test
  
• Jud Horras – president and CEO of the North American Interfraternity Conference