EDITORIAL: Get Down To Business

Neither fraternities nor theNeither fraternities nor theGreek Alumni Council haveNeither fraternities nor theGreek Alumni Council haveput forth enough of an effortNeither fraternities nor theGreek Alumni Council haveput forth enough of an effortto make the new Bring YourNeither fraternities nor theGreek Alumni Council haveput forth enough of an effortto make the new Bring YourOwn Beer policy a successNeither fraternities nor theGreek Alumni Council haveput forth enough of an effortto make the new Bring YourOwn Beer policy a successon campus.Neither fraternities nor theGreek Alumni Council haveput forth enough of an effortto make the new Bring YourOwn Beer policy a successon campus.______________________________ Accepting the strong urging from GAC, the IFC implemented a new BYOB policy this semester, and we are pleased to report that many of the fraternities have tried to follow the rules -- telling guests that they must bring their own beer to parties. But we are troubled that some fraternities still feel like they are above the law. Whether having a keg in an upstairs room or providing beer to select "friends," these fraternities are undermining the goal of the policy. While we are not judging the policy, these chapters are showing disrespect for the fraternities that are following the rules. If students are given the choice to attend a BYOB function or one in which alcohol is provided, it is clear that they will choose the latter, and the fraternities that are following the rules will suffer. GAC has also not worked to make the policy a success. GAC mandated that the policy be instituted, but made no effort to structure a support system for the Greek community, except to create a monitoring system to ensure that it was followed. The council of alumni pressured fraternites to pass this policy and then left students to manage the social consequences on their own. On one weekend last month, the GAC monitors did not even attend the fraternal events due to inclement weather. A half-hearted attempt to make the policy work will lead to a half-hearted policy. Members of GAC must help the fraternities publicize the new policy and educate the students of the benefits of BYOB. They must also help the fraternities come up with alternative social events to breathe life into the campus social scene. Fraternities must also do their part. Those houses that violate the policy should be revealed to the public to warn others of the consequences of breaking the rules. Simply slapping fraternities on the hand achieves little, because by not disclosing this information the policy will have no future deterrent effect. The current BYOB policy has the best chance to succeed of all the policies that have been proposed in recent years. It will fail like its predecessors if it is not given the attention it calls for.