Closed parties? Yeah, right

The InterFraternity Council's threat to bar non-Greeks from fraternity parties smells like a bluff. And now, because the University has informed IFC member houses that they will not be allowed to charge admission for parties this semester, the frats say they'll simply bar non-Greeks -- who don't pay the fraternity/sorority programming fee -- from entry. This is a ridiculous idea. Not only would it be impossible to enforce, but it would mean a virtual end to fraternity and sorority parties until September. Frat parties are primarily populated by freshmen, and this proposal would leave the many of them who don't pledge without an on-campus social outlet. In fact, frosh would likely get in more trouble searching for booze off campus, whether downtown or in the wilds of West Philly. If the University can't afford to give the frats $75,000 to fund parties, and the frats say they can't throw fetes for free, why not find a middle ground? Administrators who have pressed for the creation of additional on-campus social options would be wise to urge allocation of a smaller sum, say $35,000, for Greek parties this semester.