QFP

A lot of people here have said don't mention drinking. Is it still all right to ask in passing if the chapter is dry? I'll be going through round 2 of recruitment later this week and one of the sororities I was interested in are apparently dry and I just wanted to make sure. It doesn't really matter to me, but I'd like to know still, you know? I wouldn't go on about it, but asking is still ok ... right?

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=89

Old thread, but it still has relevant info.

They're apparently dry - how?

All the chapters are (or should be) dry during recruitment. Just like we say to PNMs don't mention drinking, the chapters are being told not to mention drinking.

Plus all NPC sororities are *supposed* to be dry all the time. As in, they don't have alcohol in their house.

If they're serious about being dry ALL the time, I would think they would mention it.

See, I'm not sure, which is why I want to clarify with them. I wasn't the one they told it to, another girl who was in my group came up to the rest of us after we left the house and said that she asked about the social activities and all that and apparently they said they "pride themselves on being dry." I don't remember verbatim, but there might have been an "only" thrown in there as well. But yeah, I'm not entirely certain so ... it would just be nice to clarify, you know?

But you're probably right, they would have mentioned it if it was some adamant thing to them ... I just wasn't sure if it would be too bold to ask. lol

Is an alcohol policy so important that it would change your opinion regarding a org?

If you must know then find out some other way. Asking during Recruitment can come across as either 1) you're a teetotaller who looks down on those who drink or 2) you're a party animal who is only looking for drinking buddies, not sisterhood.

This is why I hate the term "dry" - it's confusing to non-Greeks.

No NPC sororities are permitted to have alcohol in their housing. No alcohol is permitted during recruitment.

However, at social events like mixers and formals, alcohol can be served to of-age members if the event is held at an appropriate venue and alcohol is served by a third party vendor.

Yes. If there is a chapter who doesn't allow its members - even those of age - to drink AT ALL, I would run in the other direction. Unless that's what you want, of course.

Hope that helped. :)

I would think it would have made a difference in my opinion on an organization.

I would also think that if the chapter didn't set limits on alcohol consumption, including keeping a keg in the basement of the house or whatever, and are generally drunks - that might affect my decision, too.

i have a serious interest in politics and the political world- is it okay to mention that many great politicians-mostly women of course!- have been a part of the greek system, and thats ONE reason why i want to be greek (of course worded better)? i would never mention any party affiliation, or discuss any political issue.

NO. You can not treat Greek Life like a means to an end during recruitment!

I said in my first post:
"It doesn't really matter to me, but I'd like to know still, you know?"

It's not like it's the deciding factor for me, but if they are completely dry, it's something to consider in the whole thing, you know? I'm not either a teetotaller or a party animal ... I just want as much information as I can get so I know what I'm getting myself into. But like I said, it doesn't really matter to me. So we'll see at Round 2, I guess :)

Thanks! It did :)

I would tread lightly on the topic of alcohol. Someone above gave the general NPC rules regarding alcohol and that sounds pretty much the information that you were relayed through a game of telephone with another PNM. Personally, when girls came through recruitment and asked me anything about drinking it immediately raised a red flag. You don't want to burn bridges over something you're just curious about.

If anything, ask your rush counselor what it means since other PNMs were talking about it. I'm sure she's pretty knowledgeable about all the chapters and you avoid looking like you have alcohol "issues" during round 2. :)

Good idea. It would also be of a help to the chapter, because if they have a sister spouting off about how they're "proud to be dry" (and that's not really the case) it could hurt their rush.

I'm down with that advice.