UA votes to pay for weekly frat parties next fall

SPEC to dole out $10,080 It's on the house. The Undergraduate Assembly voted in favor of funding weekly "Bring Your Own Beer" fraternity parties on campus next fall at their UA budget meeting, a decision unprecedented in the history of the body. As Sunday stretched into Monday, the body decided to allocate an additional $10,080 to the Special Events Committee of the Social Planning and Events Committee for this purpose. The parties will be co-sponsored by SPEC, the Inter-Fraternity Council, Panhellenic Council and the Bi-Cultural Inter-Greek Council. The proposal is designed to salvage the University's social life, which Interfraternity Council Judicial Manager and UA representative Josh Gottheimer said has been lagging as a result of the BYOB policy that was implemented last semester. And the he said the parties are aimed at the entire University community -- not just the Greeks. Gottheimer, a College sophomore, said many students are not willing to pay a cover charge to attend a party when they must also pay for the alcohol they bring to the party. This has hurt fraternities, he said. He added that the money provided by SPEC would be used to help offset the costs of throwing a party. "We can't charge at the door anymore, so revenues have gone down the toilet," he said at the meeting. Gottheimer said a lottery will be held within the next few weeks to determine which fraternities will hold parties in the fall. UA representative Dan Schorr, a College senior, argued in favor of additional funding for SPEC. "Social life has been killed," Schorr said. "The Walk is dead." Panhel President Lissette Calderon said these parties will keep students on campus. "We find this a very feasible, safe way to keep Penn's students on campus, whether Greek or non-Greek," said the Wharton junior. UA representative Eric Tienou, a College junior who voted against the appeal, said he felt the plan, outlined only minutes before it was discussed, was too hastily considered. He also questioned whether the parties should be funded. Gottheimer estimated the cost of each party at approximately $700. He said there is currently discussion among the four Greek groups to determine how to pay for costs above those allotted for the party. He said the organizations will seek additional funding in the coming weeks. A "pilot" party, funded by SPEC, will be held this semester Originally, SPEC made an appeal for $26,040 to hold parties on some Thursdays and every Friday and Saturday. But the UA denied SPEC's request, and then a second plea for $20,160 to hold parties two nights a week, before the final appeal passed by a wide margin.

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