Though each of Brown's Greek organizations and nine program houses currently maintains an active on-campus status, "five or six" are working with the Office of Residential Life to further address issues of party management and new member education, said Richard Bova, senior associate dean of residential life and dining services.
Four of those houses — Alpha Delta Phi, Delta Phi, Phi Kappa Psi and Theta Delta Chi — are presently unable to host social events, according to Greek Council Chair Andrew Alvarez '11.
Araceli Mendez '12, public relations chair of the Greek Council and a member of Zeta Delta Xi, said that though the council expects all ten of the Brown Greek organizations to actively recruit new members next semester, the list of houses will not be officially confirmed until January.
Ultimately, Mendez said, a house's ability to participate rests with Bova.
As of this week, Bova said, he has "not gotten around to" which Greek and program organizations will take part in new member recruitment. Each house will be carefully reviewed prior to the start of spring semester, he said.
While all Greek and program houses are currently considered active because they are occupying campus housing, Bova said, the standings vary among the houses.
"If I feel that a group is not participating in the best interests of the community, then I will adjust levels of activity as I see fit through discussion with those groups," he said.
At present, Bova said, he is working closely with "five or six different houses on specific issues that have come up in the last year."
"There is no group that is not active at this time," he emphasized. "They are just active at varying levels, set forth by this office."
Among the factors that indicate a house's level of activity, Mendez explained, are access to the lounge areas located within their living spaces and the ability to host social gatherings.
At the moment, she said, Theta Delta Chi and Delta Phi do not hold those privileges.
Alpha Delta Phi and Phi Kappa Psi could not register events for the public this semester, but for reasons not on the same level as the other two, said Alvarez. They could not hold events because of a "minor" alcohol violation, but it will not affect rush for next semester, he added.
"Four of the five or six groups that I'm working with are not having social events at this time," Bova confirmed.
"Every single one of them is different and unique," he said of the concerns that he is currently addressing through meetings and discussion with the organizations. These issues arose from "some things that are present immediately, and some things that are systemic."
Bova noted that he is working with a few of the houses specifically to improve the areas of party management and new member education.
While Bova declined to elaborate on specific circumstances that may have led to the loss of privileges, he emphasized that any known issues that arise within the Greek system are promptly and appropriately addressed by the Greek Council and by his own office.
"The ones that are under review for party management may have had their privileges temporarily suspended while we're reviewing," he said. "It is imperative that we apply a due process."
It is important to understand, he emphasized, that the dozens of official recruitment events that take place during rush are not classified as parties, but opportunities for Greek and program houses to provide new member education to interested members of the student body.
According to Bova, the biannual house reviews conducted by the Residential Council take into account a number of factors, including member participation, cleanliness, social event behavior and relationships with independents.
"A group that would be in an egregious state would display wanton, willful disregard of community members and would not take responsibility for their actions or behavior," he said. "I currently have no such group."
Though the actions of individual students do not necessarily reflect poorly on a Greek or program house as a whole, he added, it is something that is taken into careful consideration on a case-by-case basis.
One of the reasons that he works closely with groups throughout the year, Bova explained, is that he does not feel a biannual review is sufficient to address many of the constantly evolving needs and concerns that arise in the houses.
"The Greeks have benefited greatly from their interaction with the staff in terms of the progressive, ongoing development of their groups," he said. "We want to continue that — it's paramount for us."
"ResLife has kept their cards exceptionally close regarding their plans for (Theta Delta Chi's) immediate future," wrote Joe DeNotta '11, president of the fraternity, in an e-mail to The Herald. "Our work with the University is still in a relatively infantile stage."
Delta Phi President Ryan Burakowski '11 did not respond to The Herald's request for comment.
While Greek and program houses are commonly targeted for any instance of misbehavior, Bova said, it is important to remember that all students are expected to adhere to the same high standards of conduct within the residential community.
"All students have a responsibility to act in a civil way," he added. "To study, to enjoy the premises and to get along."
