COLLOQUY

THE QUESTION

RESPONSES

BACKGROUND

In the case of fraternities and sororities, it is the responsibility of each individual fraternity's and sorority's regional and national office to set policies regarding the use of alcohol in their organization and enforce them at all times. If a fraternity or sorority either chooses to not have an alcohol policy or chooses to not enforce the policy if it exists, then yes, they need to be held responsible for their actions in a court of law. For example, as an alumni of Alpha Phi Omega (the National Co-ed Service Fraternity) I can tell you that our National Office has set and enforces a policy that says that we cannot serve alcohol at any official function that pledges or prospective pledges are going to be at. Any chapter that violates this policy faces sanctions that include having their charter revoked. In addition, to further discourage the use of alcohol (and other events that other fraternities might be known for) at APO functions, once a chapter becomes co-ed, the chapter is no longer able to have a house (if they had one before).

Universities, under the Campus Security Act, can be held legally responsible for the actions of registered student organizations, such as fraternities, that happen on their campus or in places that are owned or rented by these organizations. This includes fraternity and sorority houses, bars and restaurants that are rented out for the evening, and motel rooms that are rented out by the organization in question while the members are attending an event such as a conference, retreat, or debating contest.

-- Martha Hay, student, the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (posted 11/10, 12 p.m., E.S.T.)

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