IFC to restart BYOB policy this weekend

Fraternity parties will be monitored for Bring Your Own Booze violations this weekend, marking the first time this year that the regulations will be enforced, Interfraternity Council President Jim Rettew said this week. At an IFC meeting Monday night, Rettew asked for two volunteers from each fraternity house to act as social monitors. The self-monitoring system has not yet been in effect this semester due to problems organizing the system, the College senior said this month. "If we don't have names [of monitors], our own [IFC] board will do it," he said. The IFC also reiterated their fall rush policy at the half-hour meeting to remind the 26 IFC fraternities that a dry rush policy, passed in 1987, is still in effect. The policy passed without a dissenting vote, although there were several abstentions. For the rush period, monitors similar to those policing fraternities for BYOB violations, will visit all official in-house rush events. But monitors will not cover rush events held outside chapter houses. And while out-of-house events have been known to include alcohol in past years, Rettew said alcohol of any sort is illegal. "I don't think it's within the IFC's authority to send monitors into people's homes," he said. "The presidents of the chapters know the rules, and it is up to them to enforce those rules." Rettew said if a official complaint concerning alcohol at a rush event is reported, action will be taken. At the meeting, Rettew also reminded the IFC presidents that pressuring a rush in any way to verbally accept a bid early is against IFC policy. "Pressuring rushes to declare early will not be tolerated," he said. Rettew said such violations would be taken to the Greek Peer Judicial Board. Rettew and IFC Vice President for Rush Bruce Forman also emphasized the need for all fraternities to make a strong effort to promote rush this year. Forman announced that 800 Greek Week t-shirts have already been sold, and two rush orientation meetings will be held Sunday, September 22. Rush officially begins Sunday September 29. In other matters, Rettew discussed setting up a support system for houses that may be under investigation for various violations. The proposal was put off until future meetings. "It might be useful to have someone on the IFC board be there when you are going through your settlement," Rettew said.

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