[SplitzSTG]

<Parties were funded by "passing the hat". Official sorority funds were not used. It isn't an issue of spending money they shouldn't have, or writing checks out of the sorority account. They funded the party "underground" or passing the hat.>


I know in my fraternity, it doesnt matter if the check has our letterhead on it or not, or if we 'passed the hat' to collect money for a party. The people attending that party only know that your sorority planned and sponsored it. If an accident ocurrs, you're still screwed.

Issues like this have come up when a group of brothers gets the bright idea of "hey, let's get a house to have parties in. It wont be the chapter house, so we dont have to follow risk management, we can have kegs, etc." The answer is always the same. The only thing that the average partygoer knows is that this is a party thrown by XYZ sorority and ABC fraternity, and that's exactly what they'll say if anything goes wrong.

Or, Try this scenerio on for size:

This came up at the risk management seminar at our regionals last Feb.

"Well, that's what we have insurance through Nationals for, right?"
- Wrong. Insurance does NOT apply if the situation results of a violation of your risk management policy"

"What if I live in the house, but I'm on vacation at the time?"
- You are just as liable because you knew the violation was likely to occur and did nothing to stop it. Residents are ultimately responsible for any activity in the house. And, oh yeah, insurance doesnt cover you, either.

"What about Exec Board?"
- Your executive board is liable because they are responsible for the actions of the active members.


Our chapter has the best parties on campus (out of 5 other national fraternities). We follow our national's Risk Management policy as well as this one of our own.
1. All parties are closed (guest list only)
2. All ID's will be checked at the door.
- Over 21 gets a wristband and highlighter 'X' on the hands
- Under 21 recieves a black 'X' on both hands
3. All alcohol brought into our house will be checked at our bar,
operated by brothers over 21, and guests recieve tickets for their
alcohol.
4. Guests may only bring a max of 6 containers. Those containers will
not exceed 20oz each.
5. Guests will recieve one container at a time, opened by the brother
on duty at the bar.
6. No one will leave the house with open containers of alcohol
7. The bar closes at 155 AM (5 min prior to the end of the party)
8. Any alcohol left behind the bar at the end of the party is lost.
9. Any guest found to violate any of these rules will be warned once
then asked to leave the premesis on subsequent violations.
10. Anyone not a brother, associate, or alum of our chapter is
required to leave the premisis at the scheduled end of the party.
11. All brothers on the risk managemnet team that are scheduled to
the party are required to remain sober throughout the duration of
the party
12. no one under 21 will consume alcohol on the premesis
13. No one who is visibly intoxicated will be allowed into the house, and will be required to immediately leave the premises.

Largest party under these rules: 600 guests
Smallest: 250 guests
#removed from a party for violating the rules: 0
Consecutive years as our IFC's 'Fraternity of the Year': 2
Consecutive Greek Sing Wins: 4
Chapter Re-Chartered: April 7, 2001 (Charter revoked 1976-2000. Colonized May 2000)
Undefeated in Intramurals
Highest GPA on campus: 3.22 AVG w/ 34 Active Brothers 2.9 Lowest Individual


Having fun doesn't mean breaking the rules.

Possible outcomes are losing your charter, being expelled from school, being sued, etc. The list goes on. Are these risks really worth it?

Here's some more straight news. This sorority is helping to perpetuate all of the negative stereotypes that the rest of the greek community is fighting against every day.

Bottom line, if you aren't part of the solution, you're part of the problem.


I'm not one to beat around the bush, as you can tell, but I never write off any situation as un-salvageable. These ladies are going to have to put forth the effort. If it means a little thinning of their active roster, so be it. The needs of the many is what's important here.


I live in my chapter house with 6 other brothers. We were ready to fold the house and thus force the chapter to have all of it's functions on campus because of the poor attitudes of some of the membership. We gave an ultimatum to the chapter. Well, I'm typing this from the third floor of our chapter house, and this place has never looked better.

My advice as an undergrad that has been through problems somewhat similar: Tell them to re-evaluate why they joined, and why they are in college, and if another incident comes up: Dis-Association. End of story. No negotiation.

Good luck.



"I merely drop pearls of wisdom. Picking them up is entirely up to you"