Baker University fraternities are reinforcing an issue that was not previously enforced among the chapters. The fraternities will no longer be hosting open parties due to recent encounters with the police.
“We’re hoping to contain some issues we’ve had in the past couple weeks, and quite frankly, the past couple years with this, by actually enforcing these rules,” Interfraternity Council President Bryce Bowers said.
Bowers and other members of IFC hosted a meeting Monday with representatives from Kappa Sigma, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Delta Tau Delta and Zeta Chi fraternities.
Aside from the weekend of Sept. 16, Bowers said police have been called every weekend since the start of school.
Police were called to deal with issues that included fighting, excessive drinking, broken items and noise complaints.
As a solution to this problem, the IFC Executive Board is asking all fraternity members to host “invitation only” parties and to require a guest list. Rather than the guest list being a sign-in sheet at the door of the fraternity-hosted parties, guests are now required to be signed up to attend the party ahead of time.
“A lot of the problems we’re having is students from other colleges, students from other towns, students who don’t go to Baker and some even who are in high school. That’s where we get into a lot of issues with the police, and then when they come in and want names, people say, ‘I don’t know, it was some guy,’” Jennifer Letner, fraternity and sorority life coordinator, said. “That’s where we run into trouble, so obviously less negative things are likely to happen if you feel like you can write them on the (guest) list.”
The number of guests present must never exceed three times the total membership of the house. Therefore, Letner saidSigma Phi Epsilon will be allowed 153 guests, Delta Tau Delta is allowed 165, Kappa Sigma cannot exceed 93 guests and Zeta Chi’s guest list can include no more than 78. In addition, only one entrance to the party will be allowed, while all other doors will be locked.
According to the by-laws of the Interfraternity Council of Baker University, fraternities are not allowed to host open parties, meaning parties without limitation on guests who are non-members of the fraternity. However, the university feels fraternity houses have not been abiding by the guidelines previously agreed upon.
“Technically we’ve all been violating the IFC by-laws in the past. Even the old by-laws before this one stated the same thing,” Kappa Sigma member Derek Phillips said. “There’s technically no open parties. So no one can just come up and walk in, even if they sign in.”
In addition to requiring a guest list, members from each fraternity at the meeting committed to checking ID’s of party guests to ensure those underage are not allowed to consume alcohol. Guests of age will be identified by either a wristband or marking on his or her hand per the Interfraternity Council Constitution.
If the fraternity men do not abide by these rules, the consequences will be sanctions from IFC, which could include social probations and fines, and they will be reported to their nationals or board of trustees.
“The fraternity men of Baker University are committed to keeping our parties safe and enjoyable within the standards set down by IFC,” Bowers said.
