EDITORIAL: Fraternal Faux Pas

In agreeing to allocate fundsIn agreeing to allocate fundsto sponsor parties atIn agreeing to allocate fundsto sponsor parties atfraternity houses, theIn agreeing to allocate fundsto sponsor parties atfraternity houses, theUndergraduate AssemblyIn agreeing to allocate fundsto sponsor parties atfraternity houses, theUndergraduate Assemblyhas once again shown itsIn agreeing to allocate fundsto sponsor parties atfraternity houses, theUndergraduate Assemblyhas once again shown itsineptitude and faultyIn agreeing to allocate fundsto sponsor parties atfraternity houses, theUndergraduate Assemblyhas once again shown itsineptitude and faultythought process.In agreeing to allocate fundsto sponsor parties atfraternity houses, theUndergraduate Assemblyhas once again shown itsineptitude and faultythought process._______________________________ Earlier this semester, the InterFraternity Council voted to institute a Bring Your Own Beer policy to limit its own liability -- at the urgings of alumni -- and bring about more responsible partying. But now, scarcely two months later, the same leaders who voted for its implementation are screaming for help. Unfortunately, the UA does not realize that the IFC does not present reasonable arguments warranting such funds. IFC Judicial Manager Josh Gottheimer says, "We can't charge at the door anymore, so revenues have gone down the toilet." He is right, revenues have gone down -- but so have expenses. With fraternities no longer buying beer for their guests, the bottom line cost to them is much lower. If the fraternities are having economic problems, other options exist aside from begging the UA for help -- raising brothers' dues, offering more bids and soliciting donations from alumni are just a few. The UA has every right to believe that open parties for the campus could increase campus social life, but why aren't these parties handled exclusively by the Social Planning and Events Committee? It is SPEC's job to plan parties, so why use the Greek system as a crutch? SPEC should receive this money and then do its job -- plan social events with greater access to the majority of students. Holding these social events at fraternity houses will simply attract the same crowds that currently frequent weekend Greek parties, regardless of how they are advertised. We even wonder whether planning parties should be the UA's responsibility. In a city as large as Philadelphia, anyone can find a party to his or her liking. Therefore, we urge every student at the University to take a stand against back-room politics and a static UA. On Tuesday there will be a UA election. We urge students to vote for a more responsible UA and send a message that incompetence will no longer be tolerated.