Marissa Lake, along with other Penn State freshmen, received an e-mail last week forbidding her from attending social activities at fraternities and sororities for the rest of the summer -- a message she mostly disregarded.

"I think it was kind of stupid," Lake (freshman-division of undergraduate studies) said. "I don't think anyone will take it seriously."

In an effort to change the incoming freshmen's mindset on fraternity life, Roy Baker, director of greek life and advancement, sent out an e-mail to most first-year students at Penn State for the summer, banning them from attending social events at fraternities and sororities until the fall. But after reading or hearing of the e-mail, many freshmen were unfazed by the decree, many saying they'd visit fraternities anyway.

"I thought it was ridiculous," Laura Winton (freshman-biobehavioral health) said. "There's too many freshmen here to control and stop from going to frats."

Baker and the Interfraternity Council (IFC) developed the policy as part of a new recruiting program that will be implemented in the fall. If freshmen continue to go to fraternities, they could lose their opportunity to join a greek organization come September.

"If you want to enjoy the benefits of sorority/fraternity membership, you will need to participate in recruitment and join a sorority/fraternity in the fall," Baker wrote in the e-mail. "I understand that some of you have arrived at Penn State with an impression of the fraternity and sorority community already formed. ... Do not rely on the fraternity houses that may be open this summer to provide your social life."

IFC President Kelsey Gingrich did not immediately return phone calls by press time yesterday.

Winton said she will not follow the policy if her friends decided to go to fraternity social functions.

Some freshmen were unaware of the new policy, which was designed to help boost fall recruitment.

"I didn't even know we weren't allowed to go," Maddie Todd (freshman-pre-medicine) said, adding she did not receive Baker's e-mail. "Most of the people that go to the frats this summer are freshmen anyway -- it's the only thing to do."

While Todd was unaware of the new policy, others felt indifferent about the e-mail.

"I thought they had good intentions," Jen Stipa (freshman-marketing) said, "but it was more idealistic than realistic."

Stipa added she would probably still go to fraternities "because it's something to do."

Katie McCardell (freshman-education) didn't think going to fraternities was a big deal.

"They are a place to party; you don't necessarily have to drink," McCardell said. "You just need to watch out and be careful. I took [the-email] as a threat."

Mandy Kepner (freshman-elementary education) took the e-mail as a warning to not return to fraternities for social functions.

"I haven't been to one since," Kepner said. "... and I don't plan on pledging [in the fall]."

While Baker doesn't want freshmen to believe drinking is the only activity a fraternity or sorority offers, Todd said she already visits fraternities for another reason -- dancing.

"It isn't always about the drinking," she said.