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Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity members (from left) Todd Reynolds, Sal Mangano, Rory Arrredondo and Erik Saarf talk about the new RPI policies pertaining to greek orginizations at their off campus fraternity house in Troy, April 14. (Michael P. Farrell / Times Union) | |
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is going on "Double Secret Probation". They are taking away the booze.
On Thursday night, in an auditorium packed with hundreds of letter-wearing students, university officials unveiled plans to curtail alcohol consumption at fraternity and sorority houses.
Starting July 1, drinking will be allowed only in the rooms of students who are at least 21 years old, and forbidden in common areas.
In addition, come July 2007, RPI plans to require every fraternity and sorority to hire a house director, and impose changes in the groups' recruiting drives.
Officials said they want to strengthen fraternities and sororities, not wreck them, and hope de-emphasizing alcohol will help the groups focus on other principles of Greek life, such as academics and public service.
"House Director" - is that another name for "political officer"?
Several members of Greek organizations bristled at the news and criticized the administration's approach as a heavy-handed infringement on their freedom.
"I think that they just kind of popped it on us," said Rory Arredondo, 20, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon brother and officer with the school's Inter-Fraternity Council. "It's going to kill Greek life."
Among the objections was that the new drinking rules would only push it underground. And several students were upset that RPI wanted to set rules inside their houses, which are privately owned.
Now here is what a respected person in the Greek Advisor field, and incidentally a Sig Ep, had to say.
Ron Binder, president of the Association of Fraternity Advisors, said RPI's new alcohol policy is stricter than most. But "they certainly would not be the first to do this," he said.
[...]
Binder said the most effective policies are crafted by administrators, students and alums -- collaboration that several RPI students said never happened.[Mark Smith, RPI's dean of students] acknowledged there was not a lot of give and take on the policy.
Why discuss it? My mind is made up!
We will be watching to see how well this turns out. Will RPI be a campus of tee-totalers this time next year? will they take to the streets and man the barricades? Stay tuned.
College restricts Greek lifestyle -- Page 1 -- TimesUnion.com
