Officials, IFC revise alcohol policy for frat parties

The two groupd remain at odds over the enforcement of a state law banning the charging of admission fees. Plainview, NY Administrators and InterFraternity Council members revised the University's alcohol policy this year, formalizing a graduate student monitoring system to enforce the BYOB policy at fraternity parties. But the two groups remain at odds over newfound University pressure to enforce a year-old state law banning fraternities from charging admission to their open house events. Concerned that fraternities would have to dip too far into their social budgets to pay for parties if they were prohibited from charging door fees, IFC chapter presidents threatened to exclude non-Greeks from their parties if the University did not pay them the estimated $75,000-$90,000 needed to cover costs for spring parties. Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said that while administrators will work with the IFC to develop alternate methods of raising money, liability issues prevented the University from giving the IFC such funds. And he added that the IFC's threat would not force administrators to back down from their position. While many fraternities threw smaller parties and complained of diminishing treasuries, they did not follow through on the threat to exclude non-Greeks from events. Some houses ended up requesting "donations" at the door at several parties. IFC President Matt Baker, a College and Engineering senior and Alpha Chi Rho brother, said chapters got away with charging door fees for part of the semester, but his cabinet is working with the University to develop a legitimate fundraising plan for next year. An IFC proposal to sell students "Greek Cards" -- which would offer them access to all alcoholic and dry social events during the year -- has received the most attention from students and administrators. Revenue raised from the sale of the cards would support social events' administrative costs for such things as a live band, a deejay, security, decorations, tickets or bracelets allowing 21-year-old guests to partake of alcoholic beverages. And former IFC President and Alpha Epsilon Pi brother Josh Gottheimer, a 1997 College graduate, noted that none of the proceeds from the proposed card could contribute to alcohol costs because all the events would conform to BYOB regulations. Moneta said the policy would insure safe, responsible events while not diminishing social life. Many Greeks approved the idea of a "Greek Card," noting that it would save students money during the year if parents paid for all social events flat-out at the beginning of each year. But others were more skeptical, noting that students who only attended fraternity parties periodically could lose out by having to pre-purchase such a card in the beginning of the academic year. And the current IFC executive cabinet is not excited about the "Greek Card" idea either, describing it as an "absolute last resort." Baker added that if sufficient funds are not raised for this fall's parties, he would be willing to enforce the threat of barring non-Greeks from Greek social efforts. "We are not afraid to close our doors in order to guarantee the continuation of our own fun," he said, adding that it is not the IFC's responsibility to provide a social outlet for 10,000 undergraduates -- only 30 percent of whom are Greek.