The Interfraternity Council's proposed revisions to its alcohol policy, which will be voted on at tonight's IFC meeting and, if passed, would effectively eliminate open distribution by fraternities, has aroused mixed sentiments among the student body. Many upperclass students see a dark cloud looming on the horizon of campus social life, while freshmen maintain that fraternities will continue to exist as their primary social outlet.
Division on the matter is apparent, but reactions thus far have not conformed to knee-jerk expectations.
Despite the fact that fraternities would be imposing these measures on themselves-a step which might imply that the policies have the support of fraternity members-many greek males fear that the social scene will move off campus and that both freshman and upperclass students will no longer attend parties in their sections.
By contrast, several executive members of IFC have said that the organization had a number of motives for proposing the strict penalties for open distribution, including the expressed need to exert more control over fraternity members and the desire to emphasize aspects of fraternity life other than alcohol consumption.
But while presidents of individual fraternities support such sentiments, members of their respective organizations expressed skepticism about the ability of the social scene on West Campus to continue to attract the crowds that it currently does.
Trinity junior Ben Cittadino, a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, said that although he understands the rationale for the proposal, he is opposed to its content and fears its potential ramifications.
"I really think this is a bad idea. I don't think IFC has anything to gain by passing this proposal," he explained. "[During] the initial couple of weeks of school, it will be harder for freshmen to meet fraternity guys or enjoy fraternity parties."
While such concerns are prevalent among fraternity members, many retain their optimism, holding out hope that students-both freshmen and upperclassmen-will recognize that a direct relationship does not necessarily exist between open distribution of alcohol and students' level of enjoyment.
In fact, a few fraternity members said the ultimate goal of their events is to keep the campus social life "alive"-and if that proves possible without alcohol, many admitted that they have no problem with IFC's policies.
Trinity sophomore Randy Starr, a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, said he hoped IFC's policy would encourage more fraternities to host theme parties without openly distributing alcohol, like the Frottage on the Beach party hosted last weekend by the Kappa Alpha order.
"There isn't anything wrong with having big parties, but I understand how fraternity members don't want freshmen coming over and getting loaded," Starr explained. "The on-campus parties are beneficial because it makes West come alive at night. Fraternities just want the social system to be alive, and if that happens without distribution, then that's great."
Contrary to the suggestion that freshmen only attend fraternity events to obtain alcohol, many freshmen said fraternity parties provide an attractive atmosphere for students despite the absence of alcohol distribution-in fact, they said they will just get their alcohol from somewhere else.
"Guys want to be a part of the fraternity even without the alcohol," said Trinity freshman Joel Bonamo. "We want to know who throws the best parties, what the brothers are like and stuff like that. We would have a better time if there were beer, but freshmen can find beer somewhere else. And I think they will."
The expectation, IFC officials have said, is that fraternity events will attract students who want to attend for reasons other than alcohol-such as dancing, music and the social atmosphere. Judging by the policies maintained by some other selective groups on campus, the concept is not as naive as it might sound.
For example, the Brownstone selective house's policies prohibit the group from using dormitory funds to purchase alcohol and from holding events that are focused solely on the consumption of alcohol. The group's president maintains that the policy works-they attract a crowd of students who attend for social reasons and not just for alcohol.
"We certainly don't attract as many students as parties focused on alcohol, but those students who are aware that those are the types of events that we have enjoy them," said Trinity junior Drew Dropkin, president of Brownstone. "I think there are alternatives to alcohol, but different people enjoy different things. I'm encouraged by the fact that [IFC is] willing to take a stand that alcohol is not the only way to have fun."
Despite the divided opinions about the benefits, detriments and eventual impact of IFC's possible stance on open distribution, nearly everyone agreed on at least one thing: Much of the social life will now move to off-campus locations.
"I think the intentions [of IFC] are good, but it seems a little extreme to me," said Trinity freshman Kate Brown. "I don't think this will help the social scene at all.... All the parties will probably move off campus."
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.