I think all of these are valid, but just wanted to co-sign that it is the amount that is now consumed during pregaming that seems to have changed.

We couldn't purchase alcohol until we were 21, but we were able (legally) to drink it in the house and in the dorms before our 21st birthday. As such, the whole *mystique* of drinking just did not exist. So most of us were able to learn just how much we could drink and perhaps more important, *what* we could drink without getting sick or too drunk. So by the time formals came around (end of the semester), we were not likely to get out-of-control drunk. We had learned how to drink for the "long haul" as it were. ;)

I just saw this about Alpha Phi in the Dayton newspaper a little while ago, and was wondering the same thing... WTH with greeks in SW Ohio?? I have lived in the region for over 30 years and have never heard of this number or type of incident before.

I understand stupid 19 and 20 year olds drinking too much. (I am a parent and former sorority advsor) That is nothing new. What seems to be new is the absolute lack of modesty and the over the top destruction. These incidents involve public urination and defecation, over the top trashing of public space for the "fun" of trashing it, and in your face public sex, with the accompanying breakage of bathroom hardware and run ins with venue staff. These incidents cross the line from partying to Neronian debauchery, and that is what seems new.

It may be caused by the entitlement mentality that parents have fostered. It may be that having sex since you were 15 and going on fabulous world class vacations every year leaves nothing left to try or experience except total debauchery and abasement. I don't know what it is, but I suspect that campus administrations are not going to put up with all this negative publicity for long without taking some long term actions.

I was surprised to see this in the Boston paper today.
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/ar...wild_partying/

Cosign 4 and 5 especially. I'm in the minority of people I know on campus, Greek or not, that has no problem going to a party sober. SO MANY people I know are like, "there's no way I'm going to go if I'm not drunk it won't be fun otherwise".

I'm not sure when the whole "you have to be drunk to have fun" mentality got to the point it is at now, but in Lexington at least, pregaming is a a bigger deal than the actual event!

Also, yeah, you have to EAT SOMETHING and know your limits, too.

Kids these days... :p

I preface this by saying that the sorority members and their dates should take responsibility for their actions and should be punished by both the school and their national organizations.

However, it seems like its like the administration knew for a few years that these formals were getting out of hand and chose to do nothing about it/turn the other cheek. Only when they are faced with a media crisis, do they choose to dole out punishments. I think the administration should take some responsibility in this too.

I also think the "dates" need to be held accountable. Even a sober sorority can't control her drunnk date in relieving himself in an inappropriate place. The "dates" need to be held accountable by the school, or even their organization.

Bravo
Unfortunately, the dates get to hide behind the anonymous wall of random date status. The girls would be unlikely to rat them out either.

From what I understand from a friend at UD, the college is going to hold the individuals responsible as well as the sorority (regarding the Alpha Phi incident). The college paid the venue for the damages, and the college is making the students involved pay them back.

If it's the girls who are 'hiding' them, well then they get to take all of the responsibility anyway. They don't have anyone to blame but themselves for that.

I agree, college age girls aren't always the smartest.

Hence the very existence of this thread!

:D

Alpha Xi Delta has dropped its appeal of its two-year suspension, according to an Associated Press report:

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...lsZMwD9FPCKL80

Excerpt:
(AP) – 3 hours ago

OXFORD, Ohio — Miami University says a sorority chapter has dropped its appeal of a two-year suspension for bad behavior at a formal held at the Underground Railroad museum in Cincinnati.

The school said Tuesday that Alpha Xi (zy) Delta is suspended until Aug. 20, 2012. Membership will be subject to review before it can be recognized again as a student organization. . . .

Statement from Zeta Nu Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta at Miami University of Ohio

After careful thought and in consultation with our Fraternity
Headquarters, the Zeta Nu Chapter of Alpha Xi Delta has decided to
withdraw its appeal of Miami University’s decision to suspend the
chapter for two years. As proud Miami University students and Alpha Xi
Deltas, we do not want to prolong the negative attention surrounding
our event, which has tarnished the good reputation of our campus and
sorority.

The Zeta Nu Chapter acknowledges and regrets the bad behavior and poor
judgment displayed by some individuals at our formal event at the
National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in March. As our National
Fraternity has noted, the shameful conduct of some attendees displayed
a lack of respect for the significance of the facility and for
themselves.

During Zeta Nu’s 30 years on the Miami campus, we have never been the
subject of University discipline or sanctions due to behavior. We
deeply regret the damage and disrespect that took place and
immediately apologized to the Freedom Center. The chapter made
compensation for the extra clean up required and volunteered our
membership for community service. The center graciously invited the
chapter for a guided tour of the facility, a tour our members look
forward to taking.

Our chapter will work with Alpha Xi Delta National Fraternity to
ensure that the suspension is a learning opportunity for all our
Sisters. Our hope and plan is that when the Zeta Nu Chapter returns in
2012, it will be with a Sisterhood dedicated to the principles held
by Alpha Xi Delta and Miami University, once again making it the
positive force Alpha Xi Delta has been for 30 years at Miami
University.

What happens when a chapter comes back after something like that? Does everyone in the Greek community accept them back with open arms or is there more tension?

I think it depends on how they were thought of before, and whether the Greek community in general thinks that the suspension was warranted.