San Diego State U. bans liquor for Greeks

[hoosier]

(from Fraternal News)

Sun, 20 Nov 2005 15:36:21 -0800
San Diego State U. bans liquor for Greeks

_ The Daily Aztec
San Diego State University
November 17, 2005

San Diego State U. bans liquor for greeks

By Barbi Smith, The Daily Aztec; SOURCE: San Diego State U.

At San Diego State University, Jack Daniels and his friend Jim Beam are no
longer welcome at greek associated events or facilities. As of Nov. 9, all
hard alcohol has been banned from the greek community in order to decrease
alcohol abuse.

The moratorium on hard alcohol, an effort of the university's
administration, states that a zero-tolerance approach will be enacted to
prohibit all hard alcohol at chapter-related activities and facilities
including the chapter house, courtyard, hallways and common areas, and all
apartments leased to members of the fraternity.

In addition, "beer bongs" and "ice luges" will be prohibited along with any
type of drug paraphernalia.

Scenarios ending in alcohol poisoning, detox, sexual assault and other
self-induced injuries typically begin with hard alcohol, said Douglas Case,
coordinator of the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life.

"We've identified 17 incidents this semester in which hard alcohol played a
significant role," he said.

Case, who reviews reports from University Police and residence halls' staff
on alcohol related cases, said students who wind up in the hospital for
alcohol poisoning typically measure their intake in terms of how many shots
they have taken.

"The alarming thing is they're talking about having 10 shots, 11 shots, 12
shots of hard alcohol," he said. "That's an excessive amount of alcohol
that could lead to some very serious consequences, especially for young
females that don't weigh as much."

In terms of accountability within the greek community, Andrew Roy,
Inter-Fraternity Council vice president and Lamda Chi Alpha member, said he
feels the answer lies in responsibility.

"I think they should start having fraternities and sororities being
responsible for their members and that they'd be able to watch out for one
another," he said. "Not so much, 'Let's try to get as drunk as we possibly
can,' but more along the lines of 'You are held accountable for your
actions,' which is not happening now."

Case said any violation of the moratorium will result in a minimal sanction
of that chapter being "dry" for no less than one semester at all
chapter-related events, regardless of location.

While hard alcohol is already prohibited at chapter events, unless the
party is held at a licensed establishment such as a hotel or country club,
this new prohibition is raising question of a student's personal right to
party.

"A lot of people think this is just a frat-guy thing," Alpha Phi member
Melissa Straight said. "But really, all people who have ever been to a frat
party need to realize the effect this is going have on the social scene.

"I hope that members of the greek community will step up and take
responsibility so that this doesn't become permanent."

And permanency is not intended through the moratorium, Case said.

In review of the policy, Case said he will converse with the Associated
Students Advisory Board, Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisory
Board and the University Affairs Board representatives to review his
decision at the end of the Fall 2005 semester. Anyone is welcome to give
input he said; however, he would prefer it to come from a greek council or
established board.

"I think there are certain aspects about it that are beneficial to the
greek community, and I think there are certain aspects that are imposing on
individual's rights," Roy said. "But I do think that a temporary kind of
solution like they have kind of in place can be beneficial, as long as it's
temporary.

"As long as they honestly, truly evaluate the situation at the end of the
semester and not just bulls*** us by saying that they are going to, and
they never do."