Colorado State Greeks Upbeat on Alcohol Ban...

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Subject: Colo. State Greek community reflects on first day of alcohol ban

Rocky Mountain Collegian
Colorado State University
October 12, 2004

Greek community reflects on first day of alcohol ban

by Erin Skarda

The Greek community at CSU is now completely dry following Monday's
deadline to remove alcohol from fraternity houses.

Greek leaders voted to ban alcohol from all fraternity houses in response
to issues that arose following the alcohol-related death of sophomore
Samantha Spady on Sept. 5 in the Sigma Pi fraternity house.

CSU has 23 fraternities and 15 sororities. Eleven fraternities and eight
sororities have houses. Of those with houses, five fraternities and all the
sororities were already substance-free.

Mark Koepsell, director of Greek Life, said he thinks the fraternities will
make the transition without any problems.

"It's pretty black and white," Koepsell said. "They either are
(substance-free) or they aren't. They've known for four weeks. Previously,
(fraternities and sororities) weren't having social functions at their
houses anyways. It shouldn't be a hard transition."

Brian Johnston, Greek Judicial Board vice president, said parties have not
been allowed at Greek houses since spring semester 2002.

"What (Greek organizations) can do is rent a bar in town and have a
function at the bar," Johnston said. "It reduces the liability on the
fraternity having the party." (emphasis added)

While some fraternity members expressed concern over the changes,
Inter-Fraternity Council President Patrick Hutchinson said the Greek
community will benefit.

"This is not the first time we have had challenges to overcome," Hutchinson
said. "I think we can set a precedent to lead the community in a way that
eliminates any other incidents or accidents from occurring."

Hutchinson said the implementation of the rule will help rid the community
of its "Animal House" image.

"I think a lot of Greeks didn't have issues with alcohol abuse," Hutchinson
said. "It's important that we show the community, as well as the
university, that we are organizations built on ideals and values."

Koepsell agreed the decision would produce positive changes.

"Clearly there are members struggling with the decision," he said. "Their
elected leaders made the decision to ensure a positive future. We are not
founded to come together and drink beer."

A national trend in Greek communities has been to move toward
substance-free houses, Koepsell said, with more organizations banning alcohol.

"It's been proven through several independent studies that when a
fraternity removes alcohol (from the house) the property stays cleaner,
retention of members goes up, recruitment goes up, alumni giving goes up
and the overall satisfaction with the experience is higher," Koepsell said.

Hutchinson feels the four-week span between the initial decision to Monday
implementation was enough time to rid houses of alcohol.

"I think because it is such a drastic change it didn't matter when it
happened," Hutchinson said. "It would be just as hard any other time."

Johnston said most of the issues brought to the Greek Judicial Board
involve alcohol. Any alcohol-related issue in the Greek system is required
to be heard by the board. Johnston said the vagueness of the no-party rule
created problems.

"The party-free decision was vague. It didn't outline how many (people) had
to be there to be considered a party," Johnston said. "(This rule) is
straight no alcohol so I think there will be less issues."

Implementation of the new rule is left to individual houses, but any
problems will be brought to the judicial board, Johnston said. Penalties
for noncompliance will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and may include
sanctions, fines and loss of recognition by the university or the
fraternity national chapter or both.

Despite opposition, Hutchinson feels the new rule was necessary to restore
the image of Greek life at CSU.

"I hope this is an opportunity for us to completely exemplify the true
values we represent and not the stereotypes," Hutchinson said.

Johnston agreed.

"I think the vast majority (of the Greek community) accepts it," he said.
"We look at it as a way to improve our chapters and bring members back to
founding values. I think a lot are looking at this as an opportunity to do
that."