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DETROIT (AP) — Fraternities and sororities need to reduce alcohol consumption or they "may naturally wither" at the University of Michigan, the school's president said Tuesday.
Mark Schlissel praised the academic performance of students who belong to the Greek system and the public service projects of fraternities and sororities. But the partying culture, he said, gives the wrong image.
Schlissel said it's not his goal to shut down the Greek system.
But unless "the students moderate some of the risky behavior ... they may naturally wither and people may want to stop joining them," Schlissel said, speaking to reporters after appearing at the Detroit Economic Club.
"There is a culture problem, not only among students of Greek life but significantly inside of Greek life having to do with the overuse of alcohol, which really does need to be moderated," he said.
The Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity was disbanded earlier this year after a northern Michigan ski resort was trashed during a wild, boozy weekend. The dean of students called the behavior "reprehensible."
The activities of Sigma Delta Tau sorority have been restricted two years. Two more fraternities, Pi Kappa Alpha and Chi Psi, and two more sororities, Delta Gamma and Alpha Phi, were reprimanded for damage that same weekend at Boyne Highlands.
Schlissel said Greek parties "send the wrong message" that Michigan "is a party school and not a serious research university."
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