Phi Kappa Sigma to ban alcohol from frat house

Phi Kap is the fourth fraternity to prohibit alcohol in the past year. In what is becoming a national trend in the Greek system, the Phi Kappa Sigma International Fraternity has unanimously approved a policy to make all of its chapter houses alcohol-free by the year 2000. By July 1, 2000, brothers living in Phi Kap houses such as the chapter at Penn -- which will regain its house at 36th Street and Locust Walk next fall -- will be forbidden to have so much as a beer in their rooms. The Penn chapter of Phi Kap had its charter suspended by its national organization from 1994 to 1997, during which time they leased their house to the Delta Delta Delta sorority. Following similar decisions to ban alcohol by Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Nu last spring and Phi Gamma Delta last fall, Phi Kappa Sigma International, which was founded at Penn in 1850, became the fourth national fraternity with a chapter at the University to "go dry" in the last year. Phi Kap National Executive Committee President Peter Nichols said in a press release Monday that the decision was made because the fraternity's ideals of scholarship, brotherhood, personal conduct and leadership should not be overshadowed by alcohol. "In order for our undergraduate members to accomplish these objectives and reach their full potential we believe an environment free from alcohol and unlawful drugs is imperative," he said. But Phi Kap's main goal in eliminating alcohol in its houses is not the prevention of drinking among brothers -- a goal which many say is unrealistic -- but to improve risk management and decrease chapter liability, according to the press release. Currently, fraternities that allow drinking in their houses are liable for injuries and deaths related to drinking, underage drinking and damage to the house. Dry houses may also attract more members, Phi Kap's National Executive Committee said, citing studies that showed an increase in membership at chapters that have prohibited alcohol across the country. One such study, released by Bob Biggs, executive director of Phi Delta Theta, showed that membership has more than doubled in the 69 chapters of Phi Delt that have already become alcohol free. Wharton junior Jeff Snyder, president of the University's chapter of Phi Kap, said national concerns following the deaths of several college students from alcohol poisoning this fall did not significantly affect the decision. Chris Kendall, director of chapter services for Phi Kap's Executive Committee, said that he believes the trend of fraternities going "dry" stems from the realization that alcohol had taken many houses away from their founding principles. "When someone from outside looks in on a fraternity system, all they see is parties," Kendall said. Penn Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Assistant Director Tom Carroll echoed Kendall's response. "[What the national fraternities are saying is that] in order for the fraternity world to survive in the next century, we've got to take a long look at what we're doing," he said. Carroll agreed that another major motivation was shifting the liability for drinking-related incidents away from the house, explaining that the cleaner houses and lower insurance and liability payments characteristic of sororities -- which went "dry" in the 1980s -- encouraged fraternities to ban alcohol. "The fraternity world was being held hostage by alcohol misuse," he explained. Snyder added that "if we go to a club, bar or off-campus facility, we are doing it at our own risk, rather than at the expense of our chapter." But many fraternity officials said they believe there may be some negative results of the decisions. Sigma Nu President Colin Lang, an Engineering senior, said forcing parties off campus poses a potential danger to party-goers who must find a way home, often while intoxicated. "I've always seen off-campus parties as a definite danger," Lang said. "Here in West Philadelphia it's not always the best thing. Incoming InterFraternity Council President and Alpha Chi Rho brother Josh Belinfante, a College junior, said that "parties are always going to be safer in a fraternity house than in an off-campus house." Kendall explained that his committee is going to promote the use of escort vans and buses to transport students to and from off-campus parties. But many fraternity members remain skeptical. Outgoing InterFraternity Council Judicial Manager Mike Steib, a Delta Kappa Epsilon brother, said he sees this development as an infringement on those fraternities' social activities. "I don't know why any college guy would make a choice to live somewhere where you are being told you can't have beer in your fridge," the College senior said. Regardless of the eventual results, most groups involved said they believe the trend towards dry houses will continue. Three or four more fraternities will likely go dry soon, Kendall said. Snyder added that "by July 1, 2000, many or most fraternities will have such a policy in place.