I started this reply once and good old AOL bumped me offline, so here I go again.
This subject has been discussed at length on another Greek Bulletin Board (GreekCentral.com) and I have made a number of comments.
Bottom line? Survival of the Greek System as we know it.
Is that too dramatic? I don't think so.
Do you realize that a number (eighteen was the last number I heard) national fraternities and sororities have been unable to purchase liability insurance from ANY carrier? They have gone together to "self insure" themselves as a group. The problem is that they don't have nearly the financial resources as an insurance company, so a very few (maybe as few as two or three) major lawsuits could bankrupt the entire group.
Consider that. Eighteen national GLO's go down the tubes at the same time. It's not a pretty picture to contemplate.
And guess why they can't get insurance? Over 95% of all Greek insurance claims are alcohol related.
No Greek organization (or any other organization) can survive without insurance. Period.
Yep, I drank as an undergraduate, and still drink socially (so you can pull out the hypocracy charges if you care to), but I would argue that things have changed a bit over the years. The spotlight on the problem is a lot brighter now.
Numerous surveys by several nationally recognized pollsters agree that alcohol is an education system wide problem -- BUT that it is bigger within Greek Letter Organizations. When so many different surveys by so many different companies come to the same conclusion, there must be some validity to the results.
So, would you rather deal with third party vendors (who must provide their own insurance coverage) or other creative solutions, or keep houses "wet" and deal with the potential of destroying the entire Greek System somewhere down the road?
Finally, whether it's good or right or just or whatever, the law is the law. If you drink underage, you're breaking the law. If you do it in a fraternity or sorority house, there is probably legal liability on the part of the house.
It's a scary proposition. Think about it. And, most important, think moderation. Even one alcohol related death or injury is too many.
Fraternally,
DeltAlum
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