Although University administrators -- acting in accordance with a Pennsylvania law -- had banned fraternities from charging admission to social events, some chapters still required cover charges at their parties this weekend. A Delta Psi brother said the fraternity instituted a minimal cover charge to "defray the costs of our parties." "As far as I understand, we were allowed to charge," he said. InterFraternity Council President and College junior Matt Baker said the IFC never officially agreed to adopt a no-charging policy. "I fully support the houses that charged because we haven't adopted a policy yet," Baker said. "I don't see why the houses should have to stop until we agree." But several chapters announced last week that their parties would be free in accordance with the state law and University request. "I was surprised they were charging," said College freshman Tomas Rigo, who attended Phi Psi's party Friday night. "We were going to go anyway, but we thought it was going to be free." Phi Psi social chairperson Eric Peterson, a Daily Pennsylvanian sales representative, said his house cannot afford to hold social events unless it recoups its costs through door fees. "Without charging, it's impossible for the Greek system to provide parties for non-Greek undergraduates," he said. While administrators have agreed to work with IFC members in devising a method to defray the cost of social events next fall -- the prevailing strategy now would require that students purchase a Greek Card to allow entrance to BYOB parties -- they have not yet established a plan for the current semester. And until the IFC and the administration can agree on an alternate method of funding, chapter members said they will be forced to charge admission to Greek events. College freshman Heather Ross said she paid $3 to get into a Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity party. But Deke brothers refused to comment about the charging issue. This weekend also marked the first weekend that graduate student monitors visited campus fraternity parties, as part of a University and IFC effort to curb underage drinking. Although Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta said he was "unaware" that chapters charged at their parties this weekend, he said such decisions would not jeopardize the continuation of the graduate monitor system. "The observer system will continue -- it's not going to stop," Moneta said. "We're still operating under the belief that the Greek system wants to work with us to find an equitable resolution," he added. But some students said they did not notice any changes with the fraternity's policies. "They were doing what they normally do," Ross said, adding that Deke brothers handed out bracelets to some party-goers, but did not check them at the bar. The presence of graduate student monitors at Delta Psi's party Thursday night prompted the fraternity brothers to be "more cautious," according to Wharton sophomore Ted Bretschger, the house's social chairperson. "We were a little more careful when we were planning the party," he said. "And we were aware of their presence on Thursday and made sure to follow the IFC rules more." Bretschger added that the fraternity hired a professional bouncer to check attendees' identification. Graduate student monitors checked to see if Phi Psi brothers issued bracelets, checked identification and served non-alcoholic drinks and non-salty snacks, Peterson said. "As far as I know, we checked out completely fine," Peterson said. "We did make an effort to stop underage drinking at the parties." The IFC Executive Board will meet this Wednesday to discuss "what direction" the presidents will take, Baker said.
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