The University at Buffalo lifted its suspension of Greek Life Wednesday, less than a week before the start of the fall semester.
UB suspended all Greek life activities in April after an alleged hazing incident at the Sigma Pi fraternity house on Custer Street, that left Sebastian Serafin-Bazan, 18, hospitalized. The UB freshman died several days later at Buffalo General Hospital.
Buffalo Police say Serafin-Bazan’s death remains under investigation. UB Vice President for Student Life, A. Scott Weber, says the university will conduct its own investigation once BPD concludes theirs, adding Sigma Pi remains suspended.
A committee run by UB Graduate Education School Dean Suzanne Rosenblith was charged with reviewing the culture of Greek Life at the university. Recommendations include making it easier for students to report hazing and creating an Inter-Greek Council to hold their own members accountable.
UB is also planning to develop a scorecard to review fraternities and sororities, and to provide that information to the public. Weber says an implementation committee is being formed to turn the recommendations, until actionable steps.
Fraternities and sororities will not be able to add new members until they meet all the new guidelines. Weber says he doesn’t expect any Greek organization to meet those requirements in the fall semester.
UB says an estimated five percent of students participate in fraternities or sororities. The full report is available below.