New policies for Greek social events are being enforced during the first month of classes as the Office of Greek Life tries to make its events as safe as possible.
"Any time one of our fraternities open their doors, they place themselves under enormous risk both as a fraternity and by themselves," Interfraternity Council President Joel Winston said.
IFC resolutions stipulate that all fraternities must register their social events in advance with Office of Greek Life.
Fraternities receive two different colored wristbands, one for each of two guest lists allowed. A total of 300 guests - excluding freshmen- can be listed on a pre-typed list, while an additional 75 guests can be admitted at the discretion of the three door monitors.
"Once the wristbands are gone, no one can come in - they control the size of the party," Winston said.
In addition to the guests' wristbands, each fraternity must have six sober monitors wearing neon armbands. Three must be stationed at the house entrance.
While the changes were made in the interest of women's safety, it was still a "big blow to the Greek system," Winston said. Sororities can no longer co-sponsor social events at fraternity houses.
If fraternities fail to meet these requirements, they can face up to 15 weeks of social probation. Probation can also result from the presence of kegs, cups or hard alcohol.
"Our mentality is that 15 weeks of social probation is preferable to possibly 15 years in jail from trouble arising," Winston said.
After trying to fight the resolution, IFC finally passed a series of resolutions in April designed specifically for events held from Aug. 25 to Sept. 21 this year. Winston said the rules attempt to create a safe environment for Greek interactions.
Some fraternity members feel the new resolutions will affect the image of Greek life on campus.
"The new armband policy is going to end up hurting frats because of the limited number of people we let in," said Chi Phi member Kaz McNellie, an LSA sophomore.
"It prevents potential rushees from getting into our house and seeing some of the members."
For others, like Phi Kappa Alpha member Bernie Liu, the new rules are not making it harder to have a good time at a fraternity-sponsored party. Liu said the social mood at the last party his house sponsored was not different from any other parties, although stronger enforcement of rules was clear.
Winston said fraternities must obey these policies because the Social Responsibility Committee will randomly check houses during the course of the night.
"I honestly believe that on any given night, any of our fraternity parties are bound to be safer than any average house party," Winston said. "The SRC is guaranteed to come by every registered party and every house on social probation at least once a night."
McNellie said the SRC is treated with respect among the Greek community because of the power they possess.
"They definitely enforce the rules," McNellie said. "If we turn our heads, we'll be on probation."
Winston said these changes are important to prove "big parties are a small aspect" of Greek Life.
"Right now we have five dry houses," Winston said. "I predict in the next three to seven years, all national fraternity organizations will have an alcohol-free policy. It sounds like a scary thing, but houses are holding us back as a community."
Later this month, IFC hopes to announce a newer, long-term policy for social events. Winston said he hopes the policy captures the "real heart of social life" within the Greek community.