Some sororities to go substance-free

By CARRIE DZWIL
Collegian Staff Writer

The trend toward substance-free living in fraternities has extended to the women's greek system at Penn State. Some national sororities are proposing dry social functions by the year 2000.

Stephen Rupprecht, assistant director of greek and community life, said the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), which governs all Panhellenic Councils, attempted to pass a resolution requiring sororities to hold only dry functions at fraternities. The decision was denied, Rupprecht said, so NPC chose to allow the national chapters of each sorority to adopt a substance-free policy.

NPC has not yet taken any steps to meet with individual chapters, Rupprecht said. NPC eventually will meet with volunteers and representatives from the national and local chapters to discuss steps needed to succeed in this resolution, he said.

Jami Totten, Panhellenic president, said all sororities are technically substance-free because they live in dorms -- the recent decision was made to show support for fraternities that are implementing substance-free policies.

"I think it's a positive move for the chapters," Totten said. "We will be able to concentrate on sisterhood and strengthening within the sororities."

Although the proposal is an important step for sororities, Totten said, not all organizations at Penn State officially have announced plans to adopt the policy.

Chi Omega sorority is one of the organizations that has adopted the plan.

Francesca Ifantiedes (sophomore-labor and industrial relations), president of Chi Omega, said the policy is fully supported by the community and everyone involved.

"(The new policy) is going to be a big change at Penn State," Ifantiedes said. "I think it will affect the entire greek system."

Totten said the new policy also could sway other national fraternities that plan to keep alcohol in their houses.

"The change will help bring more fraternities to the decision to become substance-free," Totten said. "As (Rupprecht) says, where the women lead, the men will follow."