Reversing an Alcohol Policy

Coramoor · #1 11-18-2002, 11:02 PM

Basically, I'm looking for a way to change the alcohol policy that my house follows. Looking at the other threads here, I'm one of the few that want's to revoke the dry house policy I have.

I don't believe that drinking is all there is to fraternities-that's not what this is about. However, I'm in a social fraternity and I do think that having house parties and having alcohol in the house should be allowed. It's ridiculous that someone overy twenty one isn't allowed to drink in their own house.

The only party we are dry under is the housing corporation. We got into some trouble a few years back and were thrown off. However all those brothers are gone and we have really changed the direction of the fraternity. We have shown that we are responsible and have taken one of the leading roles on campus. We have worked hard as hell to change our reputation-and I think we've done a damn good job of it.

When I say I want in changed, I don't plan on having huge keggers every weekend and trashing my house/dirty rush/etc. I'd even be happy if we were allowed like two house parties a semester.

If anyone else has changed an alcohol policy or feels the same way I do and has some suggestions, it would be much appreciated.

doubleblue&gold · #2 11-18-2002, 11:20 PM

I doubt you'll have much luck. If your National HQ has that policy or if you have a National Corp Board----then no luck at all.

Unfortunately with the cost of insurance, it's prohibitive to go back to "wet." Your rates would be enormous. One incident could potentially bankrupt your fraternity.

Also, if you have underage members in the house, there'd be no way to follow the laws. That woud also raise your rates. Basically you'd probably have to raise the cost of living in the house so high that no one could afford to live there.

LexiKD · #3 11-20-2002, 05:12 PM

I agree, not to mention Liability insurance would be so high I doubt membership would be OK with that. I would go to your organization with concerns, otherwise 3rd party venders are the ticket!

shadokat · #4 11-20-2002, 07:29 PM

I would encourage you to go view Theta Chi's website on Alcohol Free Housing, and all of the insane questions they have received, and the answers to those questions. I think THEY explain why the alcohol policy is what it is, and the real importance of this policy in every day life and what you "get out of" your fraternity/sorority experience.

James · #5 11-20-2002, 10:41 PM

You're National doesn't have a Dry house rule correct?

So you are working under the reatraint of your local house corporation.

I would make some friends there. Start small. Go out to dinner with them. Talk about the chapter.

Be conniving, see if you can have a wet alum social there.

Beer and wine only maybe to begin with. Make it weekly or bi weekly. A social happy hour with food. It would give you better alum support and let them meet you guys.

If the housing corp meets you and likes you, they are more likely to trust you with larger parties.

*shrug* A lot of it will just be up to the individual personalities involved. There is nothing written in stone.