Although the program aimed at improving communications between the State College Police Department and the fraternities is in its infancy, those involved said the two sides are working together successfully.

At the second meeting of the semester, program participants met to brainstorm ways for officers and fraternities to communicate better.

"We're still pretty early on in the stages of getting it together," said Matt Mrva, president of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, 429 E. Hamilton Ave. The meeting was necessary to re-establish contacts with police liaisons because many fraternities have changed house officers since last semester, he said.

Interfraternity Council President Bill Donato said the liaison program, which involves the police and six fraternities, was started last fall to educate fraternity members about borough ordinances and alcohol laws.

"There always seems to be misconceptions between students and police," Donato said. "By bringing us together we can break down two stereotypes."

Police Chief Tom King said a meeting between the two sides last night was successful. Cooperation and communication between the two groups are an important part of the program, he added.

Donato said the fraternities participating in the pilot program are volunteers from different areas of the fraternity district. Each of the six fraternities involved has a police officer who is assigned as a liaison and meets with members on a regular basis.

The fraternities involved are Delta Tau Delta; Acacia fraternity, 234 Locust Lane; Delta Upsilon fraternity, 229 Locust Lane; Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, 234 E. Beaver Ave.; and Phi Sigma Delta Sigma fraternity, 240 E. Prospect Ave.; Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity, 501 S. Allen St.

"We started it out small," said Jeff Levine, IFC community relations committee chairman. "We're looking to expand in the future years to include other fraternities."

Matt Tinti, house manager of Phi Sigma Delta Sigma, said when the police receive a noise complaint about his fraternity, its liaison officer tries to respond first.

Tinti said he thinks the "big brother" program between the police and the fraternities is a good idea.

"It lets us understand their job, and they understand us, too," Tinti said. "We've had trouble in the past with the cops with noise violations."

Although it is still early to predict the overall success of the program, both the fraternity members and the police are committed to working together.

"The feedback has been great so I can say it's a success," Donato said.