Fraternities change party rules

[TSteven]

Fraternities change party rules
The Murray State News
Published: Friday, February 18, 2005
Staff Report

Murray State fraternity party goers who were upset by restrictions placed on guest lists last semester may feel relief soon.

Eric Geissler, president of the Interfraternity Council, said the IFC passed an amendment three weeks ago to make the Greek social event policy more effective.

Last semester, the policy held that the host fraternity had to compile a guest list that did not exceed the fire marshal occupancy rating of the site of the social event.

The new amendment will replace the "Guest List" section of the policy. The new "Approved List and Guest List" amendment states that the approved list consists of friends of chapter members who will be invited to the fraternity's social event. The guest list will include all individuals from the approved list who actually attend the event.

The maximum number of guests allowed to enter the social event shall not exceed the fire marshal occupancy rating. When the number of guests who have signed into the social event reaches the rating, no more guests will be allowed to enter the event, despite of the number of guests who have left.

The approved list must be turned into the Curris Center Office by 4 p.m. the day of the event. Guest lists must be turned into the office within three days after the event.

Geissler, senior from Germantown, Tenn., said there is no limit to the approved list, as there was last semester.

"There could be 800 people or something (on the list), if the fire limit is 300, there's a little more room for people who don't show up for some reason," Geissler said.

Geissler said most college students do not know if they are going to a party until 11 p.m.

"Half of those people might not show up," Geissler said, referring to college students' uncertain party plans. "(The change) allows parties to be better and bigger."

Geissler said he has been working with the University since last semester to adapt the previous policy. He said the IFC had to compromise on several issues, but he was pleased with the result.

For the amendment to go into effect, each fraternity must have the policy approved by its chapter adviser and national headquarters. The rest of the policies will remain the same.

"(It's) left up to individual chapters in order (for the amendment) to be applicable," Geissler said. "Some fraternities have already implemented the amendment and two had it approved within a week."

Individual fraternity presidents could not comment on the changes because of national chapter regulations.