In a continuing effort to improve risk -management techniques in the greek community, the Interfraternity Council and its Board of Standards members have revamped the levels of risk for social functions in fraternities.
The social policy was changed to include four more ways to classify fraternity social functions and how to manage risk in each.
"The IFC is responding to changes in the community," said Jonathan Sagot, IFC vice president of standards and an author of the new policy. "We realize now that what went on several years ago cannot happen anymore. That doesn't mean that social functions can't happen, they just need to be conducted responsibly."
Sagot said the new policy, presented at Monday's President's Council meeting, outlines risk management techniques for each type of function to ensure fraternity members are being safe.
"We're using this as an educational tool," Sagot said. "If you are having this type of social function, this is what you should be doing to manage your risk properly."
Last year, there were three levels to classify social functions: dry, alumni/parent, and wet functions, IFC President Andy Hackett said.
The new policy has been expanded and includes seven levels: dry, alumni, dated, social, closed, open and outdoor functions, said Eric Kelley, IFC vice president of communications.
The levels are placed in sequence from least risk to most risk, Kelley said. A dry function, which is the lowest level, has little risk, while the upper-level functions, like open and outdoor functions, have a high risk.
Each level has a different set of risk management procedures, Kelley said.
"At Level 7, you need to be very careful and very vigilant of your risk policy," Kelley said.
Hackett said there is a process for registering social functions that includes an assessment of risk level.
"By 5 p.m. Tuesday before the function you need to register with us, which means you'll fill out a form that says when and where, what level of risk, who is going to be there, that sort of stuff," Hackett said.
He said the president and social chair of each fraternity will sign the registration, and send it to the IFC for filing. The IFC will then send people to monitor the function the night it is held.
Kelley said Level 6 "open parties" at fraternity houses are not open to everyone who wants to walk in.
"In the past, an open party generally meant everyone can come," Kelley said. "That is not the case. You need to know who is coming to your house."
Sagot agreed that a walk-in policy is no longer acceptable.
"The days when anyone can walk into a fraternity party are over," Sagot said.
Jared Brown, assistant director of fraternity and sorority life, said it is important to consider liability at social functions. He said it has been a "work-in-progress" to make social policies known and understandable for all chapter members.
Brown said the main goal of all the social policy changes this semester is to promote the safety of those in the greek community while still having social functions.
