EDITORIAL: Temporary relief for Greeks

The University should provide funds for Greek parties while looking for a permanent solution to the door fees issue. This is evident from this weekend. Several fraternities threw open parties with cover charges -- knowingly breaking the law -- since they can't cover all the costs of the party on their own. There has to be a better option. If the University is seriously concerned with the fraternities' compliance with state law, administrators need to provide a stop-gap plan while they work with the InterFraternity Council towards a more permanent solution. In the meantime, there are administrative and entertainment costs involved with throwing a party, especially if the fraternity wants to hire a live band or a DJ. But University funds should not be used for alcohol and food purchases. For this semester, the University should kick in some money to the fraternities to defray costs for parties. It's too late in the academic year to implement a plan like the GreekCard or any other possible solutions. The University should not foot the estimated $90,000 price tag -- as quoted by former IFC President Josh Gottheimer -- for the semester's parties. There should be some kind of limit on the amount of money that could be spent on each party. Fraternities also should be required to submit receipts for their social events costs and be reimbursed accordingly. But the situation needs temporary relief while the IFC and administrators iron out a better, permanent solution that will allow the fraternities to continue throwing parties for the entire Penn community without going bankrupt or breaking the law. Otherwise, we might lose an integral part of Penn's social life.