MSU fraternities vote against ban on parties, Mayor Stephens shares concerns and speaks to community

EAST LANSING, Mich. (WILX) - Mayor Aaron Stephens expresses his disappointment after Michigan State University fraternities voted against a temporary ban of social events during the pandemic.

Mayor Stephens took to his social media to share his concerns.

So as of late I have been informed that some of my posts are making it to the parents Facebook pages for MSU students,...
Posted by Aaron Stephens - Mayor of East Lansing on Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Mayor Stephens said in his post that 17 fraternities voted this week to put a ban on social events. However, 11 fraternities voted against the ban so it did not pass.

“The truth is that - these social gatherings are gonna be the place of most risk of spread and so it was important and I really hope they reconsider that vote,” he said.

In the meantime, he has also come up with a unique way to encourage those in the community to wear their masks. The approach is simple: walking and talking.

While walking through the community, Mayor Stephens hands out masks to residents in the area and speaks with them.

“You know informing them about that 25 rule. Handing out masks there. Asking people to distance. You know, again, it’s just taking the approach and talking to them peer to peer, right? And saying this is a serious issue," said Mayor Stephens. "You know, most of them understand unless people are very, very receptive. But honestly, it’s just about doing everything we possibly can.”

Mayor Stephens still hopes fraternity members will reconsider their vote for not only their own safety, but for the safety of the entire community.