With a two-week period of no social functions at fraternities having come to an end last week, some might think it's time to get right back into the swing of heavy partying.

But Interfraternity Council (IFC) President Luke Pierce hopes that isn't the case.

Pierce wrote in an e-mail that the IFC will collaborate with alumni, the borough and the university for a "critical conversation" about safe drinking education and social policies.

Pierce also wrote that IFC executives and chapter presidents "must engage in a productive dialogue with the stakeholders of the Fraternity community."

Though a commendable idea, it's not the first of its kind.

In 1999, the president of the Panhellenic Council made a similar statement; and again, in 2005, the IFC president echoed the same ideas.

It's easy to say that solutions to dangerous drinking will be discussed and looked into. But it's extremely difficult to actually employ policies by which students are forced to evaluate the dangers of drinking.

Leaders and speeches can't accomplish much alone. The entire IFC has to get behind Pierce and give its support if Pierce's stated goals actually reflect those of the IFC's fraternities. We hope that's the case because greek life is a highly visible social institution and has the opportunity right now to set an example, and they should take advantage of it.

Of course, such a responsibility can't rest solely on the shoulders of the IFC. University Park Undergraduate Association President Gavin Keirans wrote in an e-mail that it will take a joint effort to bring change, adding that "it needs to be a collective approach," so the students, administration and entire borough will be needed to successfully address drinking problems.

In addition, it will take a sustained effort to recultivate the Penn State culture, which is especially difficult to do when the leaders of our student body are seniors.

Young leaders must be groomed and prepared to take up the cause for future years. Problems of this magnitude cannot be solved in the remainder of the 2009-2010 school year; it will take years to effectively change the drinking culture at a large university.

The culture of excess drinking is apparent at Penn State, and if we really want a change, we must come together for the long haul.