All dried up

Phi Delta Theta fraternity gives up alcohol

Why ask why? Phi Delta Theta is going dry.

The national council of Phi Delta Theta mandated that alcoholic beverages be prohibited in chapter houses beginning in July 2000 -- a decision which will affect 180 fraternities around the world, including Penn State's chapter.

The decision will affect chapters positively, said Brian Gillespie, president of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, 240 N. Burrowes Road. Because many organizations have strayed from the principles on which the international fraternity was founded, recruitment numbers have been decreasing, he said.

"We hope we will get a new breed of guys," Gillespie said, adding that he hopes the measure will help recruit students who possess qualities such as high academic performance and leadership -- qualities the organization intended to attract at its inception.

"If someone is looking to join a fraternity for the parties and alcohol, then that's not what we're about," fraternity member Rick McKissock (senior-earth sciences and secondary education) said.

In addition to helping attract a diverse membership, Treasurer Scott Engle said, the move will help lessen insurance costs for the fraternity's national organization.

"Right now, it's easier to insure a toxic waste dump than a fraternity," Engle said.

The policy has also received attention and support from University President Graham Spanier.

"I think this is a move that is being contemplated by many fraternities across the country and I am very supportive of those actions," Spanier said.

In addition to Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Nu fraternity, 340 N. Burrowes Road, will adopt a similar policy, said Gordon Savage, Interfraternity Council president.

Still, Gillespie said, Phi Delta Theta's national council made the decision with relatively little input from its chapter members.

"I don't know how much input we had in this decision," he said.

Representatives from chapters around the country were not invited to give feedback prior to the adoption of the regulation, Gillespie said, although they were aware the measure was being considered.

Chapters may receive incentives in order to encourage compliance with the regulation at an even earlier date. These could include funding to improve educational programs and chapter houses, but Gillespie said it is still too soon to predict whether the University's chapter will take part in this incentive program.