Bring Your Own Beer policy causes changes in social life

Many students have said the Bring Your Own Beer policy has adversely affected students' social life at the University. But the policy is not even fully implemented, due especially to inconsistent monitoring, according to InterFraternity Council President and Alpha Epsilon Pi brother Josh Gottheimer. The BYOB policy attempts to alter the structure of fraternity and sorority parties with respect to alcohol distribution. It prohibits Greeks from purchasing and serving alcohol at events -- instead requiring partygoers to bring their own alcohol. It also mandates that Greek houses provide non-alcoholic beverages and snacks for those present at parties. The IFC ratified the BYOB policy in January, 1995. The policy was developed by the Greek Alumni Council in conjunction with the IFC and is endorsed by the Panhellenic and Bicultural InterGreek Councils as well. It is not an official University policy, and therefore the University plays no role in enforcing it. But Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said he is currently trying to persuade the University to reconsider its stance "in light of various alcohol incidents" that occurred last semester. The policy is enforced by alumni volunteers who go to registered Greek events -- supposedly with members of the IFC. A "responsible host or chapter officer" escorts the monitors through the party so that they may "observe the level of compliance" with policy mandates, Reikofski said. But Gottheimer, a College junior, said problems have arisen in the implementation process because of late-night parties and the limited availability of monitors. "Alumni are adults with jobs and obviously it's a lot more difficult for them to monitor on a consistent basis," he said. According to Gottheimer, the Greek system currently does not have the resources to monitor every registered party, but he added that he is exploring the possibility of hiring University graduate students to monitor events in the future. This may prove difficult because of insurance and liability problems, Gottheimer explained. But Reikofski said enforcement of the BYOB policy is a reasonable expectation and called on the students themselves to take responsibility. "The problem comes in when the fraternities try to be responsible on one hand and then do not respect each other, their system, or their own regulations enough to abide by them," Reikofski said. "Students need to try to live by the integrity and values of their organization and their policy." Although the policy was adopted unanimously by IFC fraternities, some Greeks feel that BYOB has negatively impacted social life at the University. College junior and Alpha Tau Omega brother Matt Santaspirt said he objects to the BYOB policy because it drives people away from fraternity parties. "The more and more it gets enforced, the more and more people who can't get their own beer go elsewhere," he said. "Instead of fraternities being a place where freshmen go to meet people, that option is being taken away from them." Santaspirt added that he believes Greek-sponsored social life has progressively declined during his years at the University. And Wharton junior Aaron Davis of Phi Gamma Delta voiced similar opinions. "People would rather go out on their own and not be affiliated with Greeks because they're not so watched over when they're doing stuff that's not related to a house," he said. "You have all these regulations imposed upon you. Even in the three years I've been here, I've seen a drastic change." Gottheimer noted that Greek party structure at the University is changing because of liability concerns. There are fewer open parties now and more small invitation-only events and mixers, he explained. "Things are a lot more cautious than they used to be in sense that people today are a lot more aware of risk management," Gottheimer said. "People sue at the drop of a hat, and you have to be careful." But he added that the changes implemented only matter to those who "reminisce about old times." "In the beginning people react negatively, but I don't think this will have a negative effect on the system in he long run," he said. "When we have a new culture come in who haven't experienced [the former social life], they will adjust to it." Despite claims to the contrary, Engineering freshman and Sigma Phi Epsilon brother Dan Olson said he has not had trouble finding parties to go to. "There's always a party going on," he said. "I've been to places where parties are bigger, but it's cool." Reikofski defended the changes caused by BYOB and questioned why social life must be equated with "drinking oneself to near-coma -- a regular occurrence on this campus." He noted that the policy's effects are actually beneficial to students. "If you think that making students responsible and at the same time trying to protect student leaders from litigation has a negative effect, then yes, [the BYOB policy] may have [a negative effect]," he said.

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