University administrators are taking a closer look at Greek life after the death of junior Courtland Smith, who was president of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
The investigation will include an examination of the party held the night of Aug. 22 at the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity house hours before Smith was shot dead by police.
The University will be working with Delta Kappa Epsilon to set up a substance abuse prevention program and review how UNC interacts with the Greek system.
“This is an opportunity for us to examine the stress of being in college,” Chancellor Holden Thorp said. “We’re trying to keep the focus on how hard it is to be between 18 and 22 years old.”
After meetings with fraternity members and alumni, Thorp said it seemed that the party was treated as a rush event and that alcohol caused it to get out of control.
Rush officially begins Sunday, and no alcohol is allowed during rush activities. The Greek Judicial Board will continue investigating whether the Delta Kappa Epsilon party violated rules.
“We don’t see any reason to treat this with a different process than we usually do,” Thorp said.
During an emergency meeting of the Interfraternity Council on Sunday, fraternity chapter presidents decided to cancel large-scale events this week, citing increased scrutiny from the University. The IFC provides a common student-run authority for 22 fraternities.
IFC executive board President Charlie Winn said no one with the organization was willing to comment yet on UNC’s investigation.
Ashley Harrington and Erika Taylor, co-chairwomen for student government’s Greek affairs committee, said they had not heard about the investigation but would work with the University.
“We will support the chancellor in his investigation and see how we can help,” Harrington said. “We want the Greek community to grow, be stronger and be safe.”
Taylor added that the IFC and Panhellenic Council host a yearly, required meeting on alcohol and drug abuse for all new members.
Delta Kappa Epsilon members and alumni also asked that UNC provide substance abuse services to the fraternity, an outreach that has never happened before, Thorp said.
Smith said he had been drinking when he called 911 early Aug. 23. He also said he was armed and suicidal before a police officer shot and killed him near Archdale, about 15 miles south of Greensboro.
According to a statement by Delta Kappa Epsilon, Smith was last seen at the party at about 12:30 a.m.
How and why Smith was near Archdale is still unclear. The State Bureau of Investigation is looking into the shooting.
Editor-in-chief Andrew Dunn contributed reporting.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
