IFC chapter to keep parties open this week

Although the InterFraternity Council threatened last week to close its chapters' spring parties to non-Greeks, students should find their share of open house events this weekend. University administrators, acting in accordance with a Pennsylvania law, had banned fraternities from charging admission to social events. College senior and former IFC President Josh Gottheimer -- who negotiated for the fraternities -- said the Greeks were reluctant to exclude two-thirds of the undergraduate population from social events. The IFC chapter presidents, however, decided that unless the University could provide them with $75,000 -- or $90,000 if hiring a staff member to manage finances was necessary -- they could not afford to throw open parties this spring. The move did not seem to change University administrators' position. But some chapters may dip into their social budgets to fund events despite the IFC vote. Phi Kappa Psi social chairperson Eric Peterson, a Daily Pennsylvanian sales representative, said his fraternity will throw an open house party tonight. But the Wharton sophomore added that if University administrators maintain their position -- as Associate Vice Provost of University Life Larry Moneta said they will -- his fraternity will only be able to afford one party this spring. "We're sticking to IFC policy," Peterson said, explaining why Phi Kappa Psi's party would be a free event. But IFC President and College junior Matt Baker said his Executive Board hasn't actually required fraternities to adopt any policies different than the ones they employed last fall. "Right now we are going ahead with parties as each chapter sees fit," the Alpha Chi Rho brother said. He explained that the fraternities are "still on the same social agenda" because no further negotiations have taken place. And he added that the IFC did not want to back down from this stance. But the brothers are looking to become more responsible in regards to alcohol consumption by minors, Baker said. To help Greeks achieve this goal, graduate student observers will begin this weekend to attend fraternity parties. But there may not be much to monitor. "Without money, we can't do anything," Peterson said. Baker said he expected that fraternities will probably not hold free parties throughout the semester, and that some fraternities may even resume charging admission to parties as of this weekend. Baker said the IFC is unsure about the possible ramifications if chapters ignore the administrators' ban. "We're kind of waiting to see, more or less," he added. But if the University takes action against any chapter, the IFC members said they will respond. "We'd like to go forward with the University on this plan," Baker said, explaining that the partnership between the IFC and the administration has been "working out very nicely." But he added that administrators' current position took Greeks by surprise. "We feel almost betrayed by them going forward at this late in the game," Baker added. Moneta said University administrators have not developed any plans for punishing individual chapters -- or the IFC -- if any fraternity parties are held parties for which students must pay admission. Director of Police Operations Maureen Rush said University Police would "play this by ear." She explained that the police participated in training the graduate student monitors. If the monitors witness any policy violations, they are expected to alert University Police. "As long as [fraternities] follow the rules, we're going to work within the guidelines [they've set]," Rush said.