Greek party takes on new meaning

It had everything one might expect to see at a typical fraternity party: good music, frat guys dressed in their finest party garb dancing with equally primped female party-goers, and very little room to move in the packed sub-terrain party room. And of course, a full service bar stocked with a variety of the finest...soda.\nKappa Sigma hosted the first registered dry party Wednesday night, in conjunction with the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity, as well as Alpha Phi, Sigma Delta Tau, Phi Mu and Kappa Alpha Theta sororities. The party was the first effort by several houses to have a social event according to the new rules adopted by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils.\n"(This party) shows that people can still have a good time and not have alcohol," said sophomore Tre Smith, Kappa Sigma social chair. \nMore than 150 people turned out to enjoy a night without alcohol and to see "Michelangelo", a cover band that plays frequently in Bloomington.\nThe new alcohol policy was initially adopted by the National Panhellenic Council this past summer, and subsequently adopted by the IU Panhellenic Association. In support of the policy, the Interfraternity Council also decided to apply the policy to fraternities as well.\nThe IFC policy states that "all functions are to be alcohol free unless otherwise approved by the University." In other words, fraternities and sororities are not permitted to have alcohol at any house party, although they are permitted to get third party vendors at events held outside the house.\nIU policy states that alcohol is prohibited in "any undergraduate residence supervised by the University, including fraternity and sorority houses." Because fraternities and sororities are on University property, they are required to observe the policy.\nMany of the people who attended the party have mixed feelings about the effects of the new policy.\nKappa Sigma member David Gerber, a junior, said "it's great that the administration is looking out for the students' well-being, they are trying to make sure we don't hurt ourselves."\nSome believe students will either accept the policy or look for other places to go.\n"I think a lot of people who are not old enough to go to the bars will still come (to the parties)," said senior Rachel Esarey. "People who want to still drink and listen to bands will go to the bars."\nFreshman Tara Turner does not see the policy as a large problem, but is somewhat disappointed. \n"We are in college, I think we are old enough and responsible enough to make that decision," she said.\nSince students have arrived back at school, two fraternities have been caught or reprimanded for alcohol violations.\n"This semester is going to be a time of transition and change," said Panhellenic Association President Jennifer Kerns, a senior. "A lot of people are hesitant."\nAlthough the transition may be rough, the consequences for breaking the rules will be clear.\nIFC requested a new three strike system in order to have a consistent policy for all houses. \nDean of Students Richard McKaig will be finalizing the "easily explainable system" with the Greek judicial board next week.\nThe first offense will result in probation, the second will be probation with social restrictions, and the third will result in the house closing. But things will still be handled on a case-by-case basis.\nMcKaig explained that, "if we have a situation where someone gets out of hand because of flagrant use of alcohol" they will handle it more seriously than a minor event, in order to prevent abuse of the system.\nOverall, McKaig said he is optimistic about the new system. \n"What we have is leadership from the greek system to take charge and make a difference...I am proud of what the women of (PHA) and the men of IFC have done."\nWednesday, very few people seemed to have a problem following the policy guidelines.\n"Kappa Sig has started a trend that went over so well with many people," Kearns said.\nKappa Sig member Stuart Ritter, a junior, said the party was a "great success," and that it was nice "to have a party and not as much responsibility."\nSmith believes the new system will ultimately change the image of the greek system. "A lot of people imagine that (the greek system) is like "Animal House," hopefully, they will find out it is not like that"