Winston Crisp tells Greeks to shape up

The University’s relationship with fraternities has reached an all-time low, and it is time for the system to shape up, a UNC administrator told pledges Sunday.

“If you don’t, times are changing, and the organizations are either going to change with them or not survive,” he said.

In a passionate speech to a group of new fraternity members about hazing and substance abuse, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Winston Crisp said his office would no longer tolerate destructive fraternity behavior.

Crisp told pledges that the future of Greek life at UNC was up to them. He said the Greek system needs to meet the school halfway.

“You need to understand that the Board of Trustees and the administration are perfectly willing to shut your doors,” he said.

“The days when my office is willing to stand in the breach is over. I’m tired of looking like a damn idiot. I’m tired of standing up for you and having you spit in my face.”

The Greek community has come under increased scrutiny this semester. The University is investigating a party that happened the night of Delta Kappa Epsilon president Courtland Smith’s death, and police arrested five current or former students, some affiliated with Greek organizations, for cocaine use.

“The tolerance of the community has reached its endpoint,” Crisp said. “The tolerance of the University of cleaning up disasters on a weekly basis is over.”

He said that while some of the negative perception of the community is unfounded, and that the system does a lot of good for UNC, there is some basis to the public perception.

“We don’t have a weekend that goes by without a report of alcohol and drug and sexual abuse,” he said. “We know it’s not all connected with Greek life, but by and large, the perception is that it’s connected.”

Crisp later said he could not speak for the trustees or the chancellor. He said the speech contained some hyperbole and was intended to be dramatic to make a point.

“But generally, I think the notion that binge drinking and drug abuse have serious consequences for students is one that is now very widespread,” he said after the speech.

Interfraternity Council President Charlie Winn said he has worked closely with Crisp and invited him to speak Sunday. Winn said he was glad Crisp said what he did.

“Dean Crisp does a great job going to bat for us,” he told the pledges. “Don’t take that lightly.”

When asked if she thought the Greek system had a problem with drug and alcohol abuse, Jenny Levering, assistant dean of students for fraternity and sorority life, said she would prefer not to comment.


Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.