Correction appended
Greek community members said they are not the reason for Penn State's excessive drinking culture, posting their frustrations on a Facebook group that has attracted more than 1,400 members this past week.
Greeks for Equal Accountability, created by Kappa Alpha Order fraternity member Aaron Clark, wants less pressure on the greek community and more accountability for individual students on the issue of drinking.
"It's the general feeling that ever since we've been named the No. 1 party school, it's been up to greeks to take the lead on advocating for safer drinking," Clark (junior-broadcast journalism and political science) said. "We'd like to see the university address the other 76 percent of the student body when they look to us to help lower the risky drinking behavior."
Damon Sims, vice president for student affairs, said the university doesn't monitor or supervise the activities of fraternity chapters on a regular basis but works in partnership with the IFC to make sure they receive proper guidance and support from alumni and national organizations.
"The university has very little actual control or even influence over the behavior of its fraternity chapters," Sims said in an e-mail.
Interfraternity Council President Max Wendkos said while the IFC is not the driving force behind the group, he supports some of its ideas.
"I agree that Penn State students should be held equally accountable for their drinking behaviors," Wendkos (senior-marketing and psychology) said.
One major source contributing to the excessive alcohol consumption at Penn State is apartment parties, said Bradley Hershon (sophomore-broadcast journalism), recruitment director for Zeta Beta Tau fraternity.
Geoffrey Rolstone, a member of the Facebook group, said greeks are easy to target because they are already known for having parties.
"Students partaking in apartment parties are not linked to any organization, so they're hard to pinpoint," Rolstone (sophomore-energy business finance) said.
Hershon thinks fraternity parties are more responsible than most because of the regulations the IFC has put into place. His fraternity always displays Penn State's Security Escort Service number at socials and is looking into having designated fraternity members make sure guests get home safely, Hershon said.
"We'd like a designated brother system for State Patty's Day," said Hershon. "Right now, it's kind of a volunteer basis."
Sims said he is glad IFC is taking initiatives to control Penn State's excessive drinking culture. The university also supports and welcomes the opportunity to partner with IFC to curb the drinking problem, he said.
"I am very supportive of their efforts to rationally respond to issues that are largely theirs to manage with our support and encouragement," Sims said in an e-mail.
This article incorrectly states the fraternity of which Aaron Clark is a member. Clark is a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity.
