IFC's new alcohol policies seen as success
By: Allison Marino
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News
Mandatory sign-ins, ID swipes, and wristbands at fraternities have become a part of DePauw's weekend culture. These three safety measures have been required at all fraternities' registered parties this semester thanks to the Interfraternity Council's newest policies on alcohol.
The Community Standards Committee, Office of Student Life, Public Safety and IFC decided to revise the policies to increase individual drinking responsibility. As a whole, these administration organizations conceded that underage drinking is a reality on DePauw's campus, and it would be difficult to stop. IFC governs DePauw's 11 residential fraternities
Junior Alex Kriegshauser, IFC's vice president of risk management, said IFC and Community Standards Committee now formally acknowledge underage drinking.
"Basically, what's going on now is that both sides (IFC and Community Standards Committee) accept underage drinking will occur," he said. "The goal is to make it safer - there are still no drinking games and common containers allowed, but now all drinking in moderation is accepted, underage or not."
And Kreigshauser said these changes have been positive and productive for the university and fraternities.
"I believe it has been very successful. We haven't had nearly as many incidents as last year," Kreigshauser said.
Dean of Campus Life Dorian Shager has also been working with the fraternities to create safer drinking practices. He said the focus of the policies is to change the DePauw drinking culture from risk management to safety management.
"Some organizations did better than others at risk management, so we decided to increase focus on safety management," Shager said.
Safety management means that students, and fraternities in particular, need to be more responsible for alcohol consumption. To encourage safe consumption, Shager said students should not have more than five drinks per night, which will be monitored by wristbands. Shager also said student awareness is a priority.
The Community Standards Committee, Office of Student Life, Public Safety and IFC decided to revise the policies to increase individual drinking responsibility. As a whole, these administration organizations conceded that underage drinking is a reality on DePauw's campus, and it would be difficult to stop. IFC governs DePauw's 11 residential fraternities
Junior Alex Kriegshauser, IFC's vice president of risk management, said IFC and Community Standards Committee now formally acknowledge underage drinking.
"Basically, what's going on now is that both sides (IFC and Community Standards Committee) accept underage drinking will occur," he said. "The goal is to make it safer - there are still no drinking games and common containers allowed, but now all drinking in moderation is accepted, underage or not."
And Kreigshauser said these changes have been positive and productive for the university and fraternities.
"I believe it has been very successful. We haven't had nearly as many incidents as last year," Kreigshauser said.
Dean of Campus Life Dorian Shager has also been working with the fraternities to create safer drinking practices. He said the focus of the policies is to change the DePauw drinking culture from risk management to safety management.
"Some organizations did better than others at risk management, so we decided to increase focus on safety management," Shager said.
Safety management means that students, and fraternities in particular, need to be more responsible for alcohol consumption. To encourage safe consumption, Shager said students should not have more than five drinks per night, which will be monitored by wristbands. Shager also said student awareness is a priority.
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