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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia University Police will now have primary law enforcement responsibility in the area where many fraternity and sorority houses are located, under an agreement the school has reached with the city of Morgantown.
University Police will be the first on the scene at the Greek residences, but Morgantown Police will retain jurisdiction of the area, The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports (bit.ly/1OiLkT6).
Officials say they hope that the agreement, which took months to craft, will help address many problems. University Police plan to start new educational programs with members of the fraternities and sororities.
"We have access to other resources within the institution that the (Morgantown) police department doesn't have," said University Police Chief Bob Roberts.
Sororities and fraternities at West Virginia University were suspended in November 2014 following several incidents, including the alcohol-related death of an 18-year-old Kappa Sigma pledge. Authorities said Nolan Burch died two days after binge drinking while pledging for the fraternity.
In November, another fraternity was suspended after seven members were accused of beating and stuffing another person in the trunk of a car.
Corey Farris, dean of students, said the agreement will help strengthen the relationship between University Police and the Greek community.
"I think this is a great first step," Roberts said. "At least I hope it is."
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Information from: The Charleston Gazette-Mail, http://wvgazettemail.com.
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