[shadokat]

KapSig1--

Unfortunately, while all NPC groups have implemented some form of alcohol-free housing policies, many chapters ignore them for the reason that many fraternities still aren't alcohol free. The strictest alcohol free housing policy says that sororities may only mix with those groups who are also alcohol free. In this instance, you may not be able to mix with ANYONE on campus if none of the alcohol free fraternities exist on your campus. The middle policy says that sororities will not mix with fraternities in their fraternity house with alcohol present. They can certainly mix OUTSIDE the fraternity house. The most lenient policy supports those fraternities who are supposed to be alcohol free, but have no restrictions on their mixing activities.

My feeling on this is that sometimes, on a campus where you have the sororities that fall into the most lenient policy, they can mix freely with fraternities in their houses, as long as that fraternity isn't an alcohol free one. Therefore, other sororities, to stay competitive in recruitment, break the rules to "have fun", and look fun to those who will rush. It's unfortunate, but HQ's cannot be police in this situation. We have to trust the chapters to implement the policy. Chapters should be aware though that if they are not following the alcohol free housing policy and something happens, it is highly likely they will lose their insurance coverage for not following policy. This is enough to scare some into doing it...others just are in a different environment.

In my own sorority, the only change the alcohol free housing policy made was saying we couldn't have our mixers in the fraternity houses. This means that we can mix at restaurants and bars, clubs, halls and all of those other places.

I do know that fraternities that are supposed to be alcohol free housed are not following their own policies as well. It's a shame, because I believe that the men should be afforded the opportunity to live in an alcohol free environment, as NPC sororities do, but such is some of the fraternity mentality that exists.

Hope this makes a little sense.

Heather