WVU enacts Greek changes after alcohol-related death

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Changes are coming to the Greek life system at West Virginia University, following the alcohol-related death of student Nolan Burch in November.

William Shafer, the university’s new vice president of student life, told a faculty senate meeting Monday that Greek leaders decided to push back rush week six weeks into the fall semester. He said those weeks are critical to a student’s academic success.

Organizers will host a Greek leadership retreat after the second week of school to emphasize changing the university’s culture. A WVU Greek alumni table will act as advisers to current members of fraternities and sororities.

The changes were implemented after the 18-year-old Burch, 18, of Buffalo, N.Y., died after being found unresponsive at the Kappa Sigma fraternity house. His cause of death was acute ethanol intoxication due to his involvement in the fraternity’s initiation event Nov. 12. WVU place a moratorium on all pledging and social activities of the Greek system the following week.

A new medical amnesty program is designed to allow students to seek medical attention for themselves or friends without fear of getting in trouble.





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