IFC at Syracuse bans "open" parties

[hoosier]

(Glad to see some self-regulation involved. I've often wondered what an "open party" - with the GLO paying to entertain non members - actually does to help the GLO?)

(from Doug Case and Fraternal News)

The Daily Orange
Syracuse University
September 9, 2005

IFC restricts open fraternity parties
By Amy Potenza

This past weekend, Syracuse University's campus was alive and jumping at all hours of the night with hundreds of students flocking down Comstock Avenue and Walnut Place searching for a fraternity party to attend.

Greek life represents a large portion of the SU community. Dr. Roy Baker, associate dean of students, and Joshua McIntosh, senior associate director, are now holding all recognized fraternities more accountable to their respective national organizations' standards.

"We are asking fraternities to follow their own national policies; the national office of their organization says these things and sets these regulations," McIntosh said. "If a fraternity does not follow these rules, it is then a system of accountability with SU, the Inter-Fraternity Council and their national office."

Greek administrators are now enforcing these accountability issues over a very short amount of time.

"There are continuing series and changes in greek life, in terms of administrators," said Brandon Fierro of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity. "Under certain situations, some social events are OK, but then they will go back on their decisions, and that is not fair to those who it affects most."

On Tuesday, the IFC executive board conducted a meeting with 19 chapter presidents and their delegates, where they decided fraternities can no longer host open parties.

"The party is not going to stop, but it is going to get cleaned up," said Chris VanDeWeert, IFC president and member of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. "These social policies may seem drastic, but are needed to protect fraternities from violations, punishments and to protect students."

The IFC is drafting a letter that will be sent to SU students regarding these new policies in order to prevent potentially dangerous situations.

"Administrators and the IFC are making these changes in a very sweeping manner, without the input or consulting those who it affects most," Fierro said. "This is not only about parties, but this has a very large effect on our day-to-day lives, philanthropy and socializing."

McIntosh has requested greek life participants to pay special attention to their Facebook.com group memberships and profiles.

"This is an example of what type of content they are trying to control," said Fierro.

Syracuse Police and Public Safety intervened in situations outside the Zeta Psi fraternity and the Theta Chi fraternity this past weekend due to the large groups of people forming on their respective properties.

"We see it fit that the police and Public Safety do something to intervene where public disturbances and dangers to students are evident," McIntosh said.

In the past few years, greek life has changed substantially, said Loren Peterkin of the Phi Kappa Theta fraternity.

"The whole system is not what it was when I pledged," Peterkin said. "And I preferred the system the way it was when I first joined."

SU continually seeks to improve the public's perception of greek life.

"This is focusing more on the public's perception of fraternities, since we are aiming to become a bigger part of the community," said Steven Prior, IFC chair of community service and Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity member. "Certain fraternities may be frustrated because rules are being enforced now that never have before, but we have to act as a responsible house and responsible men."

Many chapters are taking moves to control and regulate their property, but some chapters also feel some regulations are not fair.

"We are asking that students use their fraternity or sorority letters in a respectful and responsible manner," McIntosh said, "and not associate their national organizations with things that could be deemed disrespectable."

Greek life offers opportunities in networking, friendships and academics, providing students with leadership experience.

"I just don't want students getting hurt," McIntosh said. "The greek system has great rewards and is should be seen in a positive light."