Something that drives me nuts...

[33girl]

I was looking at the U of Rhode Island website (there was a thread on them in the Rush forum) and came across a newspaper story saying that "all the fraternities are now alcohol free. The sororities have always been alcohol free."

Well, this is untrue - it's the fraternity and sorority HOUSES that are alcohol free. I know of no NPC sorority or IFC fraternity that prohibits its of-age members from consuming alcohol.

This is why we should never refer to a chapter as a "house." It fosters the misperception that the house = the chapter and the chapter members.

Also, when things like this are printed and then Greek members are seen out on the town drinking - it makes us look like a bunch of hypocrites, because we're supposedly "alcohol free."

Please make an effort if anything regarding your house's alcohol free status is in the campus newspaper, to make sure it's reported properly. There should be no doubt that the members are still free to make decisions on their own.

[AlphaFrog]

"Alcohol free" makes them sound like the entire Greek system just joined AA...

[tunatartare]

I actually know of one fraternity that on the international level discourages all of its members from drinking. Whether or not they actually follow that is a whole other story.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by KLPDaisy

I actually know of one fraternity that on the international level discourages all of its members from drinking. Whether or not they actually follow that is a whole other story.

Which international fraternity?

Discouraging members from drinking is totally different than a rule prohibiting it. "Alcohol free" generally speaks to living environments and not what members may do legally. Theta Chi has a good alcohol free housing initiative. (see below) Other fraternities have something similar. And yet other fraternities - who do not have an alcohol free housing initiative - prefer to focus on alcohol-awareness education. However, specific chapters may have something similar to Theta Chi's initiative. (Might be campus mandated or adapted by the specific chapter.) In any case, neither situation prohibit members from drinking legally.

Alcohol Free Housing
(from the Theta Chi website)

WHAT DOES ALCOHOL FREE MEAN?

The [Theta Chi] Fraternity's Alcohol Free Housing Initiative does not attempt to tell our members not to drink or enforce a "prohibition" policy on our chapters. Members, of legal age, are entitled to their rights as 21 year-olds to consume alcohol, just not on chapter property.

Alcohol fee housing means there will be no consumption or storage of alcohol on property owned and/or leased by the Fraternity. Annex houses, undeveloped property, and houses rented by individual members for use by the Fraternity are subject to alcohol-free policies. Social events held at the chapter house may not involve alcohol. If a chapter wishes to have alcohol at a social event, that event must take place at an approved third-party location (i.e. restaurant, club, lodge/hall) All chapter functions are still expected to meet the standards of the Fraternity's risk management policy.

[lauralaylin]

I had no idea that calling other groups "houses" was weird until after I graduated and came here. It was what everyone always said on campus. It was never "which sorority did you join" but "which house did you join." I agree that they need to not say that anymore. But it is nice to have a somewhat positive article in the Cigar about Greeks. Usually it's nothing or bad stuff, like a fraternity being kicked off campus.

[Tom Earp]

Many if not all propose Non Alcholic=Dry Houses ie GLOs, but there are codicles?) about how to go about it.

Being not in the House, but not at an outside place.

Does not mean they do not imbibe.

[DeltAlum]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

"Alcohol free" makes them sound like the entire Greek system just joined AA...

I'm surprised nobody has thought of that...

[GVSU_SigPi_Gea]

Sigma Pi recently updated its stance on FIPG Standards this summer at our convocation in an effort to deter stupid FIPG (generally drinking) violations [open source parties, etc].

The first FIPG violation results in a $500 fine to the chapter, the second fine is $1000 and the third violation results in a review hearing to discuss whether the charter should be revoked.


Of course, offenses expire after four years, but even so, these are very stringent punishments levied onto the chapters. I feel that the intent of our change of FIPG is established to deter universities from removing chapters after ONE FIPG violation. (hopefully)