University students less than 21 years old may not have a difficult time getting alcohol and drinking at parties, but University and Greek officials have set up several roadblocks.
Unlike the officers who patrol Michigan State University's campus, the Ann Arbor Police Department and the University's Department of Public Safety do not enforce a zero-tolerance policy for underage college drinkers.
Instead, they share the responsibility of policing Greek parties with members of the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association, who monitor parties as part of the system's Social Responsibility Committee.
"We work closely with IFC to do a lot of prevention work," said AAPD Deputy Chief Craig Roderick. "The problem has improved tremendously."
Former SRC member and University alum Abigail Jenkins said the partnership has been fruitful. Jenkins is an alum of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.
"We were policing our own parties - the Ann Arbor police won't do that," said Jenkins, who currently works in the Office of Greek Life. "We have this working relationship with the police where if we monitor our own parties, they won't come in."
Residence halls also play a role in alcohol awareness. South Quad's Coordinator of Residence Education Ellen Shannon said students are warned before they are sanctioned for an alcohol abuse.
"(Alcohol) works against the mission of education," Shannon said. "Students come to college to gain information and knowledge."
Roderick said students did not feel secure on campus about five years ago, so joint programs between DPS and IFC were implemented.
"A lot of the behavior was out of control," Roderick said. "I'm not saying students don't drink now or the problem has gone away, but students feel safer now than a few years ago."
The AAPD policy on alcohol consumption addresses those drinking and those providing the alcohol.
"We have city ordinances prohibiting open alcohol on streets, sidewalks and parking structures," Roderick said. "We have ordinances against minors in possession of alcohol. We have ordinances against someone who is 21 years of age and provides alcohol to a minor."
The party atmosphere may have become safer, but underage students said they have no problems finding alcohol and parties.
"It's easy, if you can get someone to buy it for you," said LSA first-year student Kelly Nash.
Nash said she usually has a few beers at fraternity parties during the weekend "to loosen up."
LSA sophomore Flora Hawley said alcohol consumption is usually high on the weekends.
"On the weekends, I always hear stories about people drinking too much and passing out or throwing up," Hawley said. "I think they get drunk to act silly. (Alcohol) doesn't taste good."
IFC Coordinator Terry Landes said the Greek System has tightened its alcohol policies in recent years to curb underage drinking at fraternities and sororities.
Landes said the six members of the Social Responsibility Committee, which includes three Panhel and three IFC representatives, coordinate and alternate three-member teams to monitor Greek parties on the weekends.
"It's self-governing," Landes said. "When a chapter violates a policy, (SRC members) hold them accountable."
Parties must be registered if there is alcohol present and a written guest list must be maintained, among other policy restrictions. Open containers such as kegs and glass bottles, are not allowed, Landes said.
"It's BYOB policy," Landes said. "If people choose to drink, they need to bring it."
Former SRC member and LSA senior Sam McGoun said if chapters accumulate 10 or more demerit points from the SRC for any violations, they are put on social probation and lose the privilege to host social functions for one to four weeks.
"Fraternities and sororities cannot put themselves in a position where they would be liable for the actions of someone who is an underage drinker," said McGoun, the current president of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. "Therefore, we realize the need to curb irresponsible drinking."
"People (less than 21 years old) drink on their own admission," McGoun said. "We have to deal with the aftermath because a lot of people come here to party. We're not just keeping ourselves out of trouble. We're trying to take a pro-active stance."
Associate Director at University Health Services Janet Zielasko said the Alcohol and Other Drugs Peer Eduction Program addresses the issue of substance abuse through peer counseling.
"They're not a preachy program on alcohol and drugs," Zielasko said. "They're about getting people to look at their values and beliefs about alcohol and drug use, to get information about, ... and where to go for help if they have a concern for themselves or others."
- Daily Staff Reporter Michael Blair contributed to this report.
JULLY PARK/Daily
Primo Kang, owner of Blue Front Inc. convenience store, stands in front of the wall of fake IDs that he has confiscated from underage alcohol buyers.