U. of Colorado: End rush for freshmen

Less than two weeks ago, a freshman was found dead at a fraternity house.
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- The University of Colorado is pressing fraternities and sororities to stop enlisting members during their first semester, after the death of an 18-year-old who had apparently been drinking heavily with his new frat brothers.
University Chancellor Richard Byyny said Tuesday that freshman rush, when students traditionally join during the first weeks of the fall semester, should be pushed back until at least the spring semester and possibly until sophomore year.
The statement came 11 days after Lynn Gordon Bailey Jr., a freshman from Dallas, was found dead at the Chi Psi fraternity house following a party where wine, whiskey and beer were consumed. Investigators have not released a cause of death.
"He was a freshman. He didn't have much experience and got into trouble," Byyny said.
Discussions under way
University spokeswoman Pauline Hale said Wednesday that discussions are under way between school officials and student leaders about changes, including deferral of rush.
"The university does not have legal authority over individual fraternities and sororities. We do have the power of persuasion," she said.
Some students said postponing rush would be an overreaction.
"Just as long as fraternities are responsible, it's not a problem," said senior Reed McClung. "It's awful what happened, but in my opinion, I think it's somewhat of an isolated incident."
Byyny also said the university would collaborate on binge-drinking prevention programs with Colorado State University, where a sophomore drank herself to death earlier this month.
Chi Psi's Boulder chapter was suspended after Bailey's death. The national fraternity said it has not decided whether to shut it down permanently.
In May, an independent commission investigating a football-recruiting scandal at the University of Colorado concluded that alcohol and sex were allowed at recruiting activities, but said there was no evidence university officials knowingly permitted them.