IFC threatens to bar non-Greeks from parties

The ultimatum stems from the University's refusal to allow door charges at Greek events. Fraternity parties this semester may only be open to members of the Greek system, if the InterFraternity Council and the administration cannot reach an agreement on a method to fund social events. In response to a Pennsylvania law making it illegal for fraternities to charge admission to their parties, University administrators said IFC chapters may no longer collect door charges at their open house gatherings. While administrators have agreed to work with IFC members in devising a method to defray the cost of social events next fall -- namely requiring that students purchase a Greek Card to allow entrance into BYOB parties -- they have not yet established a plan for the current semester. At a meeting last night, IFC chapter presidents agreed that unless University administrators could provide $75,000 to fund Greek social events -- or $90,000 if hiring a staffer to manage finances was necessary -- they would not be able to afford open parties this spring. IFC President and College senior Josh Gottheimer explained that if the University bans fraternity brothers from charging admission to parties, the IFC will have no choice but to ban all non-Greeks from their social events. Gottheimer said the chapter presidents made the decision reluctantly. "That's not at all what we're about," the Alpha Epsilon Pi brother said, explaining that the IFC wanted to "do things for the entire Penn campus." Gottheimer added that on most matters -- including academics and commitment to the community -- the administration and the IFC have similar expectations, as evident in recent discussion about the Greeks' 21st Century Report released last month. But he labeled this issue "difficult." Greeks and administrators have already agreed to allow graduate student observers to monitor compliance with BYOB rules. But IFC leaders have been hesitant to stop charging at parties until they have found some financial alternative -- and the University is pushing for the new party regulations, for both observers and door fees, to take effect immediately. Late last night, administrators on the committee that has been discussing the issue with the IFC were not yet aware of the chapter presidents' decision. Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Life Larry Moneta said he did not know of any new developments. And he said negotiations are still ongoing about how to proceed with the new rules for parties. The incoming and outgoing presidents of all three Greek umbrella organizations -- the IFC, the Panhellenic Council and the BiCultural InterGreek Council -- will meet with University President Judith Rodin today to relay their stance. "We want to work with the University in any way we can," Gottheimer said. But he added that the IFC chapter presidents felt very strongly about sticking to their guns. "We're not trying to be rebellious," he said.