A representative of the Sigma Nu fraternity international office announced Tuesday that its chapter house at the UA will be the first on campus to declare itself substance-free.

David J. Glassman, assistant executive director for Sigma Nu Fraternity Inc., said the Epsilon Alpha chapter, which has been on campus since 1918, implemented a drug- and alcohol-free house three weeks ago in accordance to rules adopted at the fraternity' s international convention.

By removing these substances from the house, 1402 N. Cherry Ave., Glassman said the fraternity hopes to improve the academic performance of its members and eliminate the threat of alcohol as a factor in fraternity-related injuries and incidents.

Glassman said that under the new policies, members agree to keep drugs and alcohol out of the house. Individuals may still consume alcohol as long as it is not on house grounds.

No specific consequences have been established for members who are found in violation of the new program. Glassman said incidents will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis with consideration to the severity of the incident. He said the goal will be ultim ately for the house to take responsibility in creating its own standards for dealing with such cases.

Glassman said that alcohol may still be served at Sigma Nu functions as long as the event is held at an approved outside location and all alcoholic beverages are served by an approved third-party vendor.

He said each member was given the option to participate in the new program.

Members who choose not to take part in the substance-free house will become matriculate alumni. These members will be required to disassociate from the organization while at school. Upon graduation, they will become full alumni.

James Hurwitz, president of Sigma Nu's University of Arizona chapter, said none of the members have opted for this status.

Glassman said the UA chapter is the second established Sigma Nu house to change over to substance free.

"We are still learning how to run the program," he said. "We consider the establishment a good learning experience for us as we begin to implement this program nationwide."

Jennifer Jones-Hall, assistant director of UA Greek Life Programs, said this will be the first substance-free fraternity house at the UA.

"This is really phenomenal," she said. "This is the best thing to happen in a very long time."

Glassman said all new Sigma Nu chapters that are established will be substance-free.

Hurwitz said Sigma Nu is now holding informal rush to increase its membership.

"We were a very large house a few years back," he said. "With a smaller rush group and a decrease in the number of active members, the size of the chapter has declined."

He said Sigma Nu will be actively recruiting all semester with the hopes of increasing membership by at least 10 to 15 men.

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