NEWS ANALYSIS: Rumors hurt effectiveness of BYOB policy

Sigma Alpha Mu, like many fraternities, has held parties under the InterFraternity Council's "Bring Your Own Beer" policy, ratified last month as part of a risk management program. And like many chapters, SAM officials said their fraternity has made significant efforts towards implementing BYOB. But in what SAM President and College sophomore David Lewis called the result of a lack of communication, SAM is now allegedly under investigation by the Greek Peer Judicial Board for possible violations of the BYOB policy during an event on February 4. "Rumors have been circulating that we were not in compliance with BYOB," he said. Yet whether the chapter is found in violation of the BYOB policy is not the central issue, according to Lewis. Instead, increased communication and teamwork between chapters would reduce the rumors and finger- pointing that Lewis said weakens the coherence of the Greek system and lowers the chance that BYOB will ever become a complete success. SAM is in a particularly bad position due to its past negative perception, according to Lewis. And although alumni did not monitor events February 3, the fraternity still faces possible sanctions. Sources, who asked to remain anonymous, have told The Daily Pennsylvanian that SAM violated policy with a party February 3. Lewis also confirmed reports that the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs has received anonymous complaints concerning the same event. OFSA Director Tricia Phaup would not confirm if an investigation is underway, and added that the Greek Peer Judicial Board is strictly forbidden to make any documents concerning investigations public. But Lewis said his chapter has made every effort possible to implement the new policies, partly for the sake of the IFC, and also "to protect ourselves as far as liability." "It's almost a mockery to be criticized with all the initiative we have taken," he said. Last month, monitors who attended SAM's first BYOB party found no violations. "We have separate lines for 21 ID people and under 21 people," Lewis said. "Inside our party, at the beer distribution sites, we have signs?that state what the alcohol policy is. "[And] we were giving out tickets and armbands in compliance with the BYOB policy," he added. Last month, IFC President David Treat, a College junior, said the fraternities would need to work together to implement the policy, and that some violations would be expected as the community becomes acquainted with the BYOB system. After several weekends, Lewis said that most chapters are dedicated to the policy -- but that chapters should act more as a team to beat the perception fueled by rumors that the Greek system is not interested in working to improve itself. "I think it's important for the University community to understand that we are very interested in changing the perception," he said. Lewis established the Greek System Community Network in December to establish a more frequent method of communication between chapters and umbrella groups.

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