2021 Gumbo final - Book - Page 74
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greek life growth
D
espite COVID-19 regulations preventing LSU Greek
Life from hosting events and parties similar to the
ones in previous years, fraternities on campus
have worked together to remain connected during the
pandemic.
When the fall semester started, fraternities adapted
from hosting multiple parties during the semester to none.
According to Acacia President Grant LaPeyronnie, Acacia has
seen its pledge numbers drop by almost 10 members since
the beginning of the spring 2021 semester.
“It is hard to have a fraternal sense of community,”
LaPeyrronie said. “We cannot get together and feel that
sense of community like we used to.”
When fraternities plan to host events, they must now
have protocols in place to follow in an attempt to prevent
the spread of COVID-19. Interfraternity Council President
Navy Coggins said fraternities have to get events approved
by LSU through Tigerlink, a website to make sure an event is
appropriate and follows COVID-19 regulations.
Pi Kappa Alpha hosted an event with the LSU Student
Health Center amid COVID-19. The fraternity hosted a flu
shot drive outside of its house Nov. 11, 2020, organized by
the fraternity’s Health and Safety Chairman, Milton Khonsari.
Members of fraternities are required to fill out the
daily symptom checker if they want to enter an event.
Interfraternity Council Vice President of Recruitment Chad
Boyd said he wants to make sure that everything is being
conducted as safely as possible.
“The biggest thing we can do is ensure everyone’s safety,”
Boyd said. “That is our main focus moving forward.”
Fraternities are informed by the University to wait to host
an event until they know how to host an event as safely as
they can.
“There are a lot of unknowns, and restrictions are
constantly changing,” Coggins said. “We are working with
the LSU administration constantly and are hoping for normal
to return soon.”
Acacia is still allowing members to participate in their
meal plan. Members can eat in the house, but they are
encouraged to pick up their meal and leave unless they
already live in the house. Members are allowed to socialize in
the common area of the house, but masks are required at all
times.
Boyd said fraternities have opened themselves up to more
than just social events. He said this gives the members a
sense of the networking within their fraternity; members
can see the opportunity to obtain resources for themselves
outside of a social setting.
“Even after this is over, Greek Life has gained something
here,” Coggins said. “This has opened Greek Life up to more
than just events and parties.”