Responsible action

Greek system's plan aims for safety

The past week has been a refreshing change of pace from the negative atmosphere that has surrounded the Greek system all year. Greek Week reminded the University community of the principles the Greek system stands for - community service, friendship and leadership. But the leadership didn't stop with Greek Week. By developing a new social policy proposal in response to alcohol related problems, the Greek system has shown it can effectively manage itself. While keeping the process completely internal, the Greek Social Environment Task Force took nearly seven months to draft a comprehensive proposal that emphasizes safety, event management, enforcement and education.

After the death of LSA first-year student Courtney Cantor and a slew of other alcohol related incidents on campus and nationwide, safety became an even greater priority for the Greek Social Environment Task Force. The measures they propose to ensure safety within the Greek system will be effective. Top on the list of reforms is the abolition of "friends" parties from the beginning of the semester to the end of the rush period. This is usually the time when fraternity and sorority chapters court members, but as the report notes, "a party is not the proper atmosphere to really get to know a potential rushee." By eliminating "friends" parties with potential pledges at the beginning of the semester, the Greek system will not have to contend with the typically unsafe early-year party.

In addition to emphasis on safety, the Greek Social Environment Task Force also made important reforms in event management. One proposal calls for a clear, limited guest list for all parties. By limiting the number of guests and ensuring that the guests at Greek parties are friends of the chapter members, this proposal will ensure that parties are less likely to develop to dangerous proportions. Also, the task force suggested requiring at least two sober members to be in attendance at all functions. These members will be able to serve as monitors, and will make sure that partygoers return home safely.

The task force also addressed enforcement and education. One of the best ideas the task force had was to employ an impartial third party to regulate Greek functions. This unbiased party would be able to objectively evaluate the level of safety at a party. And for education, the task force proposed requiring at least one-alcohol related education program per semester. Fraternity and sorority members who are educated about the damaging effects of alcohol will be less likely to put themselves in danger.

Now that the proposal has been made, it must be ratified and respected. When the individual members of fraternities and sororities review the proposal for passage, they should acknowledge the effort by the Greek Social Environment Task Force and pass the provisions immediately.

But once the proposal has been passed, the true test begins. While the proposal itself is a commendable action, only adherence will guarantee effectiveness. Respect of the proposal's guidelines by leaders of the Greek system as well as all members will promote safety for the Greek system in the future.

03-25-99