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Let me ask a question though. let's assume
we can muster the horspower in NIC and NPC to pull this off (which I don't think is impossible); would then sorority houses be willing to open their houses to such third party events?
If not, the fraternities will continue to bear the brunt of the insurance costs, however much lower they might be.
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This is a difficult question to answer, Brad. As I see it, there are two major issues.
First, from a policy standpoint, NPC would have to elect to amend its universal dry chapter house policy to allow alcohol in a sorority chapter house, so long as it is controlled by the presence of a third party vendor, (possibly) a law enforcement presence (checking IDs), and accompanied by the proper event planning forms.
Let's say we can jump the policy hurdle (eek...that would be a tough one). Now, we're faced with an infrastructure problem.
For example, the KKG chapter house at Indiana University (where I lived as a collegiate Kappa) is one of the largest (and oldest) chapter houses on campus. We've got a lot of space. But we don't have a "party room." We've got a beautiful formal dining room, a lovely solarium/breakfast room, a cozy TV room, a stately library and formal sitting room and an incredible front hall...but we don't have a "party room" or a courtyard like many of the fraternity chapter houses at IU have.
In order to hold third-party vendor functions at my chapter house (and avoid the destruction of our BEAUTIFUL and historic house), we would need to renovate the entire basement/ground floor of the chapter house to create a room that could be used for functions (room for a band, DJ, dancing, etc.)
Our chapter house actually has the luxury of having the space to do that (although actives would miss the ugly, comfy couches that fill the basement and make a very informal "smoker's lounge.") The question for us would be
Where would we get the money to pay for a fairly major renovation to our ground floor? We could probably come up with the money over a period of years, as my chapter (we are very fortunate) is well-supported--both morally and financially--by alumnae.
Many sorority chapter houses, however, will not be in such a situation. They will have neither (1) the space to expand, nor (2) the money to do so.
Even if we could get through the NPC policy issue, this infrastructre problem would be a large stumbling block, but could perhaps be overcome with some creative thinking, and I am basing my thoughts solely on the chapter house lived in and the chapter house I advised at the U. of Iowa.
I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on this issue--it's a great one, Brad. Even though it may blow a big hole in my plan, I'm so glad you brought it up.