Maryland IFC officers booted for drinking at GLO conf.

[hoosier]

Mar 5, 2003
Frat execs booted for drinking at convention
By Sarah Beth Clark
Staff writer


Six Greek student representatives, including U. Maryland Interfraternity Council President Matt McHale and at least one underage student, were banished from a weekend leadership awards conference after they were caught with rum and cola in their Pittsburgh Hilton hotel rooms early Friday morning, officials confirmed.

The six representatives were spending a leisurely Thursday evening watching ESPN's Sportscenter and lounging in two joint hotel rooms at the 2003 Northeast Greek Leadership Association Annual Conference. At about 2:30 a.m., McHale was setting his alarm for Friday's 8 a.m. session, he said, when he heard a hall monitor knock on the door.

McHale and four other IFC executive board members - seniors Brian Vincent, Eric Schwager and Stephen Lucas, and junior Brad Polsky - and Delta Sigma Phi fraternity member Andrew Kohout, violated explicit policy for the weekend's event, officials said. The dismissal cost the group more than $1,500 for unrefunded pre-paid costs, which came from fraternity dues.

McHale originally claimed all six students were at least 21. But Polsky later admitted he is under 21, and McHale claimed Polsky was not in the room when they were caught with the alcohol.

Vincent, Order of Omega Honor Society president and Delta Sigma Phi fraternity president, was also unable to accept his Greek Leader of Distinction award in person at a formal banquet Saturday.

McHale said the dismissal came to his surprise and was the result of a misunderstanding. But he attended an educational session Thursday, when the policy was reviewed before other members had arrived, he said. A copy of NGLA's conference code of conduct is also available online. "No alcohol will be permitted at the hotel and participants must refrain from drinking at the hotel," the code states.

McHale said he thought drinking would be permissible because the other members were of legal drinking age and because it would not coincide with conference educational programs.

Greek Life Director Matt Supple said he was disappointed with the group's actions. "I think it tarnished what should have been a great conference for them," he said.

Eleven representatives from the university's Panhellenic Association, which received seven of the eight NGLA awards for which it applied, remained at the conference.

"They made a mistake and they paid the consequences," said PHA President Marjorie Manne, a senior. "But they've done so much for our community. It was sad to see them go."

McHale said he takes responsibility for the dismissal and said group members asked his permission to drink alcohol after driving six hours from College Park in snowy conditions. He said he does not deny the violation, but does not know who bought the alcohol. A large, unopened bottle of rum was brought into the room and each member had "a couple of drinks," but did not finish the bottle, he said.

"At the time, it seemed pretty innocent in nature," McHale said. "One seemingly innocent mistake can tarnish the name of an organization for a year's worth of work. It was definitely a shame the way it worked out."

Seventy-four institutions and about 750 students, staff and volunteers were represented at the conference, which university members attend every year. Though university IFC members were the only students dismissed at this year's conference, Vojta said there have been other violations in the past.

NGLA policy warns that individuals violating conference policy will be asked to leave. NGLA Executive Director Amy Vojta said the conference alcohol policy was made clear, and called the group's dismissal "unfortunate."

"We take our conduct policy very seriously," said Vojta. "We enforce it seriously, too."

Vojta said she did not know how the violations were discovered, but directed inquries to Travis Apgar, conference staff member. Apgar did not return phone calls.

McHale said he is unsure what prompted the hall monitors' inquiry because noise did not exceed classroom level as members watched television.

"It's unfortunate," Vojta said. "It happens just like it happens every weekend. People make a choice."

[DeltaSigStan]

WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE REBUILDING DAMMIT, THIS IS NOT HELPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[James]

Funny, people that drink, generally drink heavily at conferences. Its like a fricking perk. ITs half the point lol.

I am sure that any people in proffesions can really vouch for that. And you should see the wild time at Fraternity Conclaves.

Two years ago I was at the same conference and was drinking with . . well I believe they were some U of Maryland Greeks lol. And the Hall Children come by and just told us to keep the noise down.

All they did was get caught by someone with either a hard-on for the rules or a hard-on for them personally.

We all know how that works. Poor bastards though, it looks really bad on paper.

[Tom Earp]

Holy S*** Bat Man, these were really bad guys!

B S What a crock of cow dung!!!!!

I have heard ridiculousness taken to the galaxy but this DA DA DA!

Since when is it illegal for adults to have a leagal substance

Just how underage was the underage child? Probably 20 going on 21!

I do agree with DeltaAlum, drinking age for beer should be lowered back to 18!

If you can be killed in a war that maybe coming up, then just why in the hell cannot you have a beer or two!

Stan, dont take it to much to heart! I hurt everytime I see any Greek Org take it in the Butt for over zealous Risk Management and the child protectors who are super rightous! Bah Humbug!!!

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by James
Funny, people that drink, generally drink heavily at conferences. Its like a fricking perk. ITs half the point lol.

I am sure that any people in proffesions can really vouch for that. And you should see the wild time at Fraternity Conclaves.

Two years ago I was at the same conference and was drinking with . . well I believe they were some U of Maryland Greeks lol. And the Hall Children come by and just told us to keep the noise down.

All they did was get caught by someone with either a hard-on for the rules or a hard-on for them personally.

We all know how that works. Poor bastards though, it looks really bad on paper.

On the face of it, my first reaction would be why have bed checks in the rooms where men are over 21. On the other hand, given the results, maybe they're necessary. On the other hand, again, what the big deal...Oh, what the hell?

In my mind this is not as bad as some of my Brother Delts a few years ago at our Karnea (International meeting) who were thrown out for drugs (marijuana) in their hotel room the night after a very stiring anti-drug videotape and presentation about a Delt who died of a GHB/Alcohol OD.

He was from their chapter.

[ZTAMich]

Originally posted by DeltAlum


In my mind this is not as bad as some of my Brother Delts a few years ago at our Karnea (International meeting) who were thrown out for drugs (marijuana) in their hotel room the night after a very stiring anti-drug videotape and presentation about a Delt who died of a GHB/Alcohol OD.

He was from their chapter.

Ouch yeah not very smart. I think I've seen that video too, very moving!!

We had similar 'no alcohol' rules at our Convention this summer. I think ithey are in place for collegiates so we/they get the full experience of the conference and are fully in control of their mind and body to get our money's worth from the programs and such. But if you are of age...I can't see a glass of wine hurting. But some people of course can't enjoy alcohol and go overboard which is what I think the gentleman in question did. And they got caught doing it too.

[James]

This is not directly to ZTAmich lol

Whats the point of drinking if you don't drink for effect?

Honestly, alcohol in very low doses is only going to make you tired, add useless calories, and dehydrate you alittle as well as messing up your REM sleep cycle.

So I never understodd the point of a couple drinks that you don't feel. If you don't want to feel them, don't drink alcohol. The whole point of alcohol is to become impaired.

Hell it mostly doesn't even taste good unless you have acquired a taste for it.

Originally posted by ZTAMich
Ouch yeah not very smart. I think I've seen that video too, very moving!!

We had similar 'no alcohol' rules at our Convention this summer. I think ithey are in place for collegiates so we/they get the full experience of the conference and are fully in control of their mind and body to get our money's worth from the programs and such. But if you are of age...I can't see a glass of wine hurting. But some people of course can't enjoy alcohol and go overboard which is what I think the gentleman in question did. And they got caught doing it too.

[jess_pom]

Last year at NGLA, everyone was drinking at the hotel. I think I remember people getting kicked out last year, too.