Penn State Alums Urging Changes to Dry Policy (Phi Delta Theta)

[exlurker]

The January 18 Penn State student paper has the story:

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive...ainst_dry.aspx

Alumni of the (former) Phi Delt chapter at Penn State are reportedly planning to challenge the fraternity's national "dry" policy. The article indicates that they hope to be able to get a new set of national officers elected at the fraternity's next national convention. With new officers they hope to modify the current policy on alcohol.

[nittanyalum]

Veeerry interesting, thanks for posting the article. I understand their point, unless things have changed radically on campus, it's got to be unbelievably tough for them to compete in that greek system as a totally dry house. They'll attract pledges just because they're Phi Delt and have such a strong national reputation, but like it or not, being totally dry will hurt them socially in that huge system.

[knight_shadow]

If they are the only dry house on campus, I could see how that can somewhat hurt recruitment. It seems, though, that the alumni view alcohol as the fraternity's main selling point. You can go to a bar to drink; the fraternity should be about business, for the most part. The dry policy was undoubtedly put into effect for a reason, so they may want to focus their energy on something else.

Interesting read, though.

ETA: Is the dry policy a national mandate by Phi Delt, or is this something that was imposed on this specific chapter?

[exlurker]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

. . . ETA: Is the dry policy a national mandate by Phi Delt, or is this something that was imposed on this specific chapter?

knight_shadow, I'm not a Phi Delt, but I believe the answer to your question can be found on Phi Delta Theta's international web site, in the "About Us" section, specifically in the "Alcohol-free Housing" portion of "About Us."

I think you can get to Phi Delt's international web site via

http://www.phideltatheta.org

(Also, of course, a Phi Delt or two on GC may be willing to PM you with information about their international policy.)

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by exlurker

knight_shadow, I'm not a Phi Delt, but I believe the answer to your question can be found on Phi Delta Theta's international web site, in the "About Us" section, specifically in the "Alcohol-free Housing" portion of "About Us."

Got it. Thanks.

Originally Posted by frattyphi322

Yea our alcohol-free housing applies to every chapter, not just Penn State. I don't like it too much either, since sometimes after a long day I just wanna crack open a cold one, but I cant, and I either have to go to a bar or a friends house and sometimes I just dont feel like going out. But thats just my 2 cents.

Quick question: If your chapter has a house, is there some sort of requirement for living in it? I ask because I also like to come home and have a beer after a long day, but if my org had a stipulation like that, I just wouldn't live in the house.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Quick question: If your chapter has a house, is there some sort of requirement for living in it?

Bumping this because I don't remember seeing any replies for it.

Anyone want to shed some light on this?

[GooniePDT49]

To ETA: The mandate was imposed on Phi Delta Theta in 1997 because of the abuse of alcohol at several of the chapters. Making chapter houses dry would save the fraternity in money and insurance issues (you know liabilities that result in lawsuits). Actually the Sigma Chi chapter was formed in 1855 because the Phi Delt Chapter at the Ohio Wesleyan would not allow the consumption of alcohol within the chapter.

[JonInKC]

For once, I'm with Phi Delt! FIGHT T3H POWER!!!11

[modorney]

Theta Chi (also at Penn State) is a dry national.

[Tex1899]

Originally Posted by modorney

Theta Chi (also at Penn State) is a dry national.

Doesn't Theta Chi have a waiver policy which allows a chapter to have alcohol in the house, provided they meet certain criteria? I believe Phi Delt is (or was) the only national that did not have some sort of waiver policy.

[tallgreekalum]

Originally Posted by Tex1899

Doesn't Theta Chi have a waiver policy which allows a chapter to have alcohol in the house, provided they meet certain criteria? I believe Phi Delt is (or was) the only national that did not have some sort of waiver policy.

I'm pretty sure that Kappa Sig is a dry national as well.

[Tom Earp]

If and only if the playing field is equal.

All or most will have a policy but it does not mean it is totaly followed!

These regulations are placed because of R M! Dah, the name of this thread.

Now, many know why you and others are considered boys and not men.

[IHeartUGA]

Originally Posted by modorney

Theta Chi (also at Penn State) is a dry national.

I've been in a few Theta Chi houses and they DEFINATELY weren't dry...

[GooniePDT49]

Originally Posted by IHeartUGA

I've been in a few Theta Chi houses and they DEFINATELY weren't dry...

No house is every really dry. It would be pretty odd to be playing beer pong with nonalcoholic beverages. Dry campuses put on events for their students and (at least at my school), if the 21 yr olds have any common sense they'll have their own "events" somewhere else.

[frattyphi322]

Yea our alcohol-free housing applies to every chapter, not just Penn State. I don't like it too much either, since sometimes after a long day I just wanna crack open a cold one, but I cant, and I either have to go to a bar or a friends house and sometimes I just dont feel like going out. But thats just my 2 cents.