TROY — Facing a backlash from alumni and current students, administrators at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have eased a week-old ban on fraternity and sorority recruitment. Rather than an open-ended hold on the annual rush, Greek houses will be allowed to recruit starting Oct. 18.

There will still be a moratorium on Greek rush events from Aug. 18 until October, according to a message that was released to students and alumni on Tuesday.

“Based on my conversations and the recommendations I received, combined with our analysis and consideration of additional information, I have modified my original restriction on rush activities,” read the letter from LeNorman J. Strong, RPI’s interim vice president for student life.

“All rush, recruitment, and intake efforts will be paused from Saturday, August 18 to Thursday, October 18, as opposed to the full fall semester.”

Members of the RPI community were encouraged by the news, but some still worried that the crackdown would hinder Greek life, which they say plays a large role on campus, with the organizations providing needed housing as well as a myriad of activities and volunteer efforts.

“We do appreciate that they have listened to the community in allowing us to have members but at the same time it still does interfere,” said Andrew Vazquetelles, a sophomore who will be recruitment coordinator for the Phi Mu Delta fraternity.

Recruiting, or rush, usually starts in August when incoming freshmen arrive on campus, he said.

Citing a number of problems, including drug and alcohol-related abuses, hazing and sexual misconduct, RPI President Shirley Ann Jackson on June 8 said they were considering a “stand down’’ on Greek recruiting as well as formation of a special task force to examine the issues.

The move came as Greek organizations on campuses nationwide are under scrutiny, especially for instances of reported sexual abuse. RPI’s announcement came days after a television news report on CBS 6, in which a former RPI student said she was raped at a fraternity event in December 2016.

News of the stand down, though, prompted a backlash rapidly spread through social media and alumni networks whose members are still connected with their respective Greek organizations.

“It’s a big part of RPI’s culture,” Vazquetelles said of the Greek organizations.

The latest move also contains some guidelines and restrictions including an ongoing pause on Greek social events as well as removal of alcohol from fraternity and sorority houses.

Those Greek houses that begin recruiting in October will have to be in good standing and adhere to guidelines, including training for those participating in recruitment efforts.

Those guidelines, however, are likely to mean extra work and complications for Greek houses, including those who haven't been in trouble, said Vazquetelles.

"As an RPI student, and the recruitment coordinator, this is an additional undertaking for myself to keep track of which I don't feel is necessarily fair to fraternities who haven't done wrong," he said.

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