Administrators seemed unreceptive to options posed by the UA. The Undergraduate Assembly tried unsuccessfully yesterday to break ground in the continuing dispute between fraternities and the administration over funding open parties, but a solution to the problem still seems rather distant. State law bars fraternities from charging partygoers at the door, and the University has called on chapters here to abide by that law. But fraternity leaders have insisted that losing the revenue from door fees would make it impossible to throw open parties, and they have requested financial help from the University in lieu of admission charges. Meeting with officials from the Division of University Life yesterday, the UA's Greek Affairs committee suggested several solutions -- including a plan that would increase the undergraduate General Fee by $20, which would go to fraternities. But administrators did not seem receptive to the proposals, according to Greek Affairs Committee Chairperson Mike Steib, who is also the InterFraternity Council's judicial manager. The College senior said the University is "leaning more" toward a proposal from last year, the "GreekCard." The card would be sold for a set fee and would allow cardholders to attend any fraternity parties at no charge. Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski said he encourages this option because it "wouldn't tax students who don't go to fraternity parties," while an increase in the General Fee would affect everyone, whether they went to parties or not. IFC President Matt Baker said he would oppose the GreekCard plan. "[The IFC] will much more likely close events to non-Greeks rather than adopting the GreekCard," he said. Baker believes that the card would create logistical hassles that would outweigh its potential benefit. Reikofski said taking money out of the General Fee is "not feasible," because it could open the University and the UA to legal liability for fraternity party incidents. "If something happens at one of the parties, the UA can be easily named in a lawsuit," he said. The UA became more involved in the ongoing dispute after IFC members made a concerted --Eand successful -- effort to win seats on the government group in last spring's elections. Steib said administrators are hesitant to fund fraternity events because their parties involve alcohol. "They would rather see money go to events that do not have alcohol," the Delta Kappa Epsilon brother said. He added that the University would be more likely to provide funds if fraternities could prove their social events are "responsible." "We are doing everything you can possibly do to be responsible without taking the alcohol away," he said. Beyond the potential legal problems, Reikofski said an increase in the General Fee could face heavy opposition from the student body. "I think they would have a hard time getting [the plan] past students who don't go to fraternity parties," Reikofski said. But Steib disagreed. Saying that huge numbers of students go to IFC parties, he predicted a great deal of student support. Reikofski said the committee's current plans are "not likely" to pass. "I think the UA and the IFC need to go back and look at other options," he said. Baker said the IFC will "probably not make a decision for some time." "It's a complex issue," the Alpha Chi Rho brother said. "We need to examine whatever possibilities we can."
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