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Greeks to begin phasing out of parties at chapter houses

Arizona Summer Wildcat

Homecoming will be the only alcohol-related social event

This academic year will begin with the phasing out of parties in the UA's chapter houses and plans for an increase in education concerning alcohol consumption and the rules of Greeks Advocating the Mature Management of Alcohol.

Following a turbulent year that saw Dartmouth University do away with its entire greek system, members of the University of Arizona's Interfraternity Council voted to remove all social events in the houses that would necessitate GAMMA registration.

"We will start a gradual type of tapering off," said Kathy Adams-Riester, Greek Life coordinator.

This fall, the 22 active fraternities will be allowed to host five social events at their chapter houses that require GAMMA registration - including all gatherings that involve the consumption of alcohol.

In the spring semester only three will be allowed, and by fall 2001 the only event that will remain at the houses is Homecoming.

Even though the social events will be held off campus, GAMMA will still be responsible for monitoring the fraternities' gatherings, including date dashes and other traditional functions.

In following with the new IFC policy, GAMMA is planning to change some policies of its own to be better equipped to handle all of the social events off campus. A new GAMMA policy is expected to be voted on in late August, Reister said.

"It addresses some specific requirements for off-campus events," she added. "It's good, new stuff."

How the transportation to and from social functions will be handled is part of the policy change that GAMMA has under consideration. The new IFC policy raised some concerns that drunken driving would increase if events involving alcohol were moved out of the chapter houses.

The system for monitoring the events is also now under consideration.

Whether the policy changes for GAMMA will pass the IFC isn't even a question, said Chad Foust, president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity.

"It has to pass," Foust said. "You have to have GAMMA guidelines, we will always have them."

Groups like the Advocates for National Greek Leadership and Education may help with the educational portion of the changes the UA greek system will undergo during the next three semesters.

Prior to these changes education of members has been solely the responsibility of the individual chapters.

But once these changes are passed, the control will shift to GAMMA and the IFC. They will be able to say, "by x date you need to have a presentation," Riester said.

"(Education) can just improve our greek system," she added.

Another concern of some members of the greek community has been whether these changes will mean a drop in freshman interest in rushing.

"Other greek systems around the country have seen a little drop in membership (when moving parties out of the houses)," Riester said. "I think it's a continuation of students really taking responsibility for how their greek system is run."

She added that this policy might bring more students to the system who are "not just looking to party."

Ryan Gabrielson can be reached at Ryan.Gabrielson@wildcat.arizona.edu.