Summer fraternity parties and enforcement of rules

BlueCarnation · #1 07-21-2009, 06:33 PM

This may be different from campus to campus, or organization to organization, but I'm curious as to how/if your campuses enforce risk management rules during the summer? We have summer classes and there are men living in fraternity houses, but all sorority houses are closed. There are some fraternities that are having organized parties (they are renting out 3rd party vendors, renting buses, etc.) and inviting sorority members to them. Would you treat them as you would during the regular school year? Would they be subject to the same rules of registration, monitoring, etc.?

Thanks!

Kevin · #2 07-21-2009, 06:57 PM

Here's the question you should be asking -- does the reason for having the risk reduction rules in the first place continue to exist during the Summer?

It sounds like there's at least an equal opportunity to run afoul of those rules. It sounds like there is drinking, etc., so why would you not treat everyone exactly the same as you would during the school year?

As far as what actually happens, that's going to vary from place to place, but if I was an advisor or something other than a meddling alumnus, I'd probably want to strongly encourage everyone to continue to play by the rules whether they're being enforced by the University or not (because if something bad does happen, you can believe the university is going to want to do something about it, not to mention your HQ, etc.)

TSteven · #3 07-21-2009, 07:15 PM

From what you have described, it sounds like the fraternities are following either their own, the school's, the IFC's and or the HQ's risk management guidelines. As such, the rules covering parties should apply for summer events as well.

Here is an example of a risk management rule that I have noticed being implemented more and more for summer rush events. If the party is by invite only, then any person that is not a *current* student, may have be on the guest list. This would include any chapter member that is not currently enrolled in summer school. And any sorority member, independent, alumnus or other guest has to be on the list too.

VandalSquirrel · #4 07-21-2009, 08:41 PM

If these parties include freshmen men who are rushing in the fall/summer, and there is alcohol, I'd be extremely careful in regards to risk management if any of these incoming students are under 18.

As regular students fully matriculated and initiated members, I'd err on the side of caution since no one wants to end up as a feature story in this forum. Insurance doesn't care if school is in session or not if the name of the organization is being used and contracts are being signed.

33girl · #5 07-21-2009, 10:20 PM

Are you worried about the risk management issues or the standards issues?

Are they having actual mixers (i.e. members of only one sorority are present) or are they just inviting whatever sorority girls are around? I mean, if a Kappa, ASA and ZTA are at a party and one of them does something that's questionable RM-wise or standards wise, how on earth would you bring that up in front of standards board? I certainly don't think we're going to start taking the word of other groups when it comes to things like that.

BlueCarnation · #6 07-21-2009, 10:48 PM

I'm worried about risk management issues. A fraternity is having a party and inviting sorority members from various chapters, and hoping that "lots of girls" from our chapter are there. This fraternity is probably going to be on social probation in the fall for a similar party last year, so if it were the fall, there would be no question that they should not be having this party and that no one from our chapter should go. I know how I feel as an advisor about whether anyone from our chapter should go. I was just curious about other's takes on this and how summer is viewed on other campuses.

Kevin · #7 07-21-2009, 10:59 PM

I know what I'd do as an advisor in your shoes, but that's up to you. It sounds like you're on the right track here.

33girl · #8 07-22-2009, 12:26 AM

Well, you can advise them not to go. But without a quorum of the chapter there to vote on it and/or to give them due process if they are called before standards board for violations, there's really no way you can enforce it. They're going as individuals, not as a chapter.

You may have a bylaw that says they can't attend fraternity houses that are on probation, but "probably going to be" is not the same thing.

TSteven · #9 07-22-2009, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

This may be different from campus to campus, or organization to organization, but I'm curious as to how/if your campuses enforce risk management rules during the summer? We have summer classes and there are men living in fraternity houses, but all sorority houses are closed. There are some fraternities that are having organized parties (they are renting out 3rd party vendors, renting buses, etc.) and inviting sorority members to them. Would you treat them as you would during the regular school year? Would they be subject to the same rules of registration, monitoring, etc.?

Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueCarnation

I'm worried about risk management issues. A fraternity is having a party and inviting sorority members from various chapters, and hoping that "lots of girls" from our chapter are there. This fraternity is probably going to be on social probation in the fall for a similar party last year, so if it were the fall, there would be no question that they should not be having this party and that no one from our chapter should go. I know how I feel as an advisor about whether anyone from our chapter should go. I was just curious about other's takes on this and how summer is viewed on other campuses.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well, you can advise them not to go. But without a quorum of the chapter there to vote on it and/or to give them due process if they are called before standards board for violations, there's really no way you can enforce it. They're going as individuals, not as a chapter.

You may have a bylaw that says they can't attend fraternity houses that are on probation, but "probably going to be" is not the same thing.

I am not sure what are the risk management issues are here. From what I can tell, it seems like the fraternity is inviting individual members and not chapters. And from what was written earlier, it does sound like the fraternity is following some kind of risk management guideline with respect to the party. (i.e. third party vendors, bus etc.)

Is there a possibility that the individuals that attend might have to answer to the University (or standards) simply by attending? Perhaps because the fraternity *might* be put on social probation in the fall? If all is on the up-and-up (again, third party vendors, buses, no under aged drinking etc.), then I am not seeing the issue.

33girl · #10 07-22-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSteven

I am not sure what are the risk management issues are here.

Unless it's that "three members at anyplace is an event" bullshit.

As I said, my bigger question is who would enforce it?

pshsx1 · #11 07-22-2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 33girl

Unless it's that "three members at anyplace is an event" bullshit.

As I said, my bigger question is who would enforce it?

I was just thinking the exact same thing!

TSteven · #12 07-22-2009, 07:17 PM

The idea that three members of ABC sorority hanging out at the XYZ fraternity house could constitute an official ABC sorority event just seems bizarre. Especially if say three members of ABC sorority just happen to be girlfriends or friends.

BlueCarnation · #13 07-22-2009, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TSteven

The idea that three members of ABC sorority hanging out at the XYZ fraternity house could constitute an official ABC sorority event just seems bizarre. Especially if say three members of ABC sorority just happen to be girlfriends or friends.

It is bizarre, but unfortunately an issue we have to deal with in this case. That's why I'm concerned. We could have one girl, we could have 50 attend. I have a PERSONAL feeling about whether girls getting an e-mail invite from their friends who happen to be in a fraternity should be able to go to a party, but I think that campus and headquarters see it differently. We've had problems with this issue in the past.

33girl · #14 07-22-2009, 11:19 PM

Like TSteven said, the fraternity is covering their butts by renting busses & 3rd party vendors, which is ABOVE AND BEYOND what happens at most schools over the summer. You can't say this fraternity is off limits because of what "might" happen.

They're going to do what they want to do. They should know enough by now how to keep safe at a party (which is the real cause for concern, not whether it is an "official event"). Unless you want to completely violate due process and make girls quit, just let it go.

Also, keep in mind that for all you know, there are girls in their hometowns for the summer doing things that are FAR bigger RM/morals/you name it violations.