New rules for Fraternities announced just before the start of Thon

[PSU Soupy]

Hearing that new rules for Fraternities have been announced in the past hour and some/many of the fraternity members are going to limit participation or even boycott Thon this weekend.

From a family member so there could be some errors:
1) All spring pledging is discontinued...no one to become a brother in spring semester
2) Any parties must be registered with IFC (Professional Bartenders must be the servers of drinks)
IFC to be on site at parties
3) Beta to not be recognized for at least 5 years......
4) Not so much greek related, but a Beta member has been charged with distribution of weed and has been held on a $250 K bail.
5) Hard Alcohol Banned / If there is alcohol on site, must be poured by registered bartender.
6) Parents weekend to be cancelled


I am sure that I am missing other aspects of the changes enacted due to the death at Beta last week. Sure to put a damper on the excitement level at Thon.

It does appear that the timing of this was scheduled to occur just before Thon to get washed out by the positive press of the Dance Marathon.

I am sure that there are details that I have gotten wrong, or have left out of the email......I have a sophomore daughter reporting this to me as she is setting up the Bryce Jordan Center for the Thon.

More news to come.

 

[LionDeNittany]

Why not just ban Alcohol, nationally?

LdN

 

[ClarkstonMark]

No way in hell will fraternities be boycotting thon ..... get real

 

[Zenophile]

1) All spring pledging is discontinued...no one to become a brother in spring semester.

Ridiculous if true.

2) Any parties must be registered with IFC (Professional Bartenders must be the servers of drinks)
IFC to be on site at parties

I'm genuinely surprised that the certified bartender requirement wasn't initiated years ago.
To my recollection the IFC registration of all parties isn't a new rule.

 

[PSU Soupy]

No way in hell will fraternities be boycotting thon ..... get real

Just reporting what I am hearing from my child a student in the greek system at PSU who has been taking tests all this week and working at Bryce Jordan center and who is on two committees for THON.....and who will get about 5 hours sleep this weekend>

 

[84Lion]

Why not just ban Alcohol, nationally?
LdN

Believe that has been tried, and failed.

 

[BobPSU92]

Boycotting THON would obviously backfire on the frats. That would be incredibly stupid.

Why would Parents' Weekend be canceled?

 

[Pardlion]

Hearing that new rules for Fraternities have been announced in the past hour and some/many of the fraternity members are going to limit participation or even boycott Thon this weekend.

From a family member so there could be some errors:
1) All spring pledging is discontinued...no one to become a brother in spring semester
2) Any parties must be registered with IFC (Professional Bartenders must be the servers of drinks)
IFC to be on site at parties
3) Beta to not be recognized for at least 5 years......
4) Not so much greek related, but a Beta member has been charged with distribution of weed and has been held on a $250 K bail.
5) Hard Alcohol Banned / If there is alcohol on site, must be poured by registered bartender.
6) Parents weekend to be cancelled


I am sure that I am missing other aspects of the changes enacted due to the death at Beta last week. Sure to put a damper on the excitement level at Thon.

It does appear that the timing of this was scheduled to occur just before Thon to get washed out by the positive press of the Dance Marathon.

I am sure that there are details that I have gotten wrong, or have left out of the email......I have a sophomore daughter reporting this to me as she is setting up the Bryce Jordan Center for the Thon.

More news to come.

I believe that all fraternity events involving alcohol are banned for the rest of the semester. Spring break should be fun, though.

 

[Nitt1300]

I get banning Beta, but what did anybody else have to do with it?

 

[Pardlion]

4) Not so much greek related, but a Beta member has been charged with distribution of weed and has been held on a $250 K bail.

This is untimely. With alcohol now being verboten, the kids are going to need more drugs.

 

[psualum10]

http://www.collegian.psu.edu/news/crime_courts/article_6f0d78a4-f529-11e6-a4ec-5b6b8e3e96a2.html

 

[Zenophile]

I get banning Beta, but what did anybody else have to do with it?

Penn State's 'thing' is painting with broad strokes.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Hearing that new rules for Fraternities have been announced in the past hour and some/many of the fraternity members are going to limit participation or even boycott Thon this weekend.

CLICK HERE for Onward State's article about the rules

CLICK HERE for PSU's Press Release on the rule changes

PSU Admin and the IFC -- two bodies that never miss a chance to eliminate fun from the college experience.

 

[GastonLion]

This knee-jerk reaction of punishing people who had nothing to do with the Beta incident is beyond stupid.

 

[kgilbert78]

Boycotting THON would obviously backfire on the frats. That would be incredibly stupid.

Why would Parents' Weekend be canceled?

Could be because they are worried that parents coming up for that weekend possibly might be a bit perturbed with the administration, especially if they were members in their day....and might get in someone's face about it.

Note, I'm not and never was a frat member (excepting one honor frat) so I don't have any dog in this hunt.

...Edit: Is it wrong to wonder if PSU might just want to own some more fraternity properties..... [I don't think they were wrong to ban Beta, though.]

 

[nits74]

Penn State's 'thing' is painting with broad strokes.

And optics, of course. I've never seen any institution, organization, or other entity more afraid of everything, including its own shadow.

 

[Zenophile]

This knee-jerk reaction of punishing people who had nothing to do with the Beta incident is beyond stupid.

While I (like you) do not subscribe to 'their' way of thinking here, I suspect you'll hear them refer to these measures as "preventative."

And look for them to be every bit as effective at targeted prevention as the Freeh recommendations. It's purely window dressing.

 

[psuro]

Is it true that the head of each Frat was delivered a hand written note with a number to call?

 

[Zenophile]

Is it true that the head of each Frat was delivered a hand written note with a number to call?

They were all given Fraternity Member Emeritus status.

 

[PSU_Nut]

Could be because they are worried that parents coming up for that weekend possibly might be a bit perturbed with the administration, especially if they were members in their day....and might get in someone's face about it.

Note, I'm not and never was a frat member (excepting one honor frat) so I don't have any dog in this hunt.

...Edit: Is it wrong to wonder if PSU might just want to own some more fraternity properties..... [I don't think they were wrong to ban Beta, though.]

It pretty simple. They don't want the liability of having a university sanctioned organization killing more members. This is not the first Greek member to die. Greek organizations love to tell us how it not about drinking and parties. If that true then these new regulations should not be an issue.

 

[BobPSU92]

I get banning Beta, but what did anybody else have to do with it?

We are all guilty. You are banned from drinking alcohol, too.

 

[Zenophile]

It pretty simple. They don't want the liability of having a university sanctioned organization killing more members. This is not the first Greek member to die. Greek organizations love to tell us how it not about drinking and parties. If that true then these new regulations should not be an issue.

In fairness, I think they'd tell you it's not all about those things, which, while perhaps subtly different, is clearly distinct from being "not about those things."

 

[bjf1991]

I get banning Beta, but what did anybody else have to do with it?

I've been "pontificating" for YEARS about the "Culture Police State" on college campuses - like Penn State - for years

The counter-productive and insidious administrative bloat of the culture police, personified by organizations run by the "Damon Sims's" of the higher education bureaucracy

Of course, I'm just some asshole blowhard with no perception . As you know

 

[Sharkies]

"Certified bartender" is a little misleading, it says anyone who will be supplying the alcohol needs to have passed RAMP. I used to work at a brewery and this standard procedure now, due to liability issues. Presumably, since this is only in relation to "registered" parties, thus, falling under the umbrella of the Frat's liability insurance, this isn't that big of news... just my two cents. Lawyers here can chime in more. Also, RAMP takes about an 1 hr to complete, and anyone can easily do it online if I recall correctly.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

"Certified bartender" is a little misleading, it says anyone who will be supplying the alcohol needs to have passed RAMP. I used to work at a brewery and this standard procedure now, due to liability issues. Presumably, since this is only in relation to "registered" parties, thus, falling under the umbrella of the Frat's liability insurance, this isn't that big of news... just my two cents. Lawyers here can chime in more. Also, RAMP takes about an 1 hr to complete, and anyone can easily do it online if I recall correctly.

You're correct. However, keep in mind that they are banning hard liquor at social events, and that only beer and wine may be served. As such, it's almost as if bartenders are not needed. Anyone that thinks RAMP certified bartenders will impact an inebriated person's ability to get a beer at a frat party is either deluded, or has never attended a frat party.

 

[GastonLion]

While I (like you) do not subscribe to 'their' way of thinking here, I suspect you'll hear them refer to these measures as "preventative."

And look for them to be every bit as effective at targeted prevention as the Freeh recommendations. It's purely window dressing.

I get that something had to be done to Beta, but that should have be a separate punishment that has nothing to do with other fraternities. I would have thought the PS Admin would have announced a review of IFC practices in an effort to curb similar occurrences. That would have been the professional way to handle this. Clearly, our mission is the knee-jerk reaction.

 

[PSU_Nut]

You're correct. However, keep in mind that they are banning hard liquor at social events, and that only beer and wine may be served. As such, it's almost as if bartenders are not needed. Anyone that thinks RAMP certified bartenders will impact an inebriated person's ability to get a beer at a frat party is either deluded, or has never attended a frat party.

That is not the point. It to shield the university from liability. The bartenders are now the fall guys the university can not point to. If a family tries to sue them they can point to the fact that they required certified bartender who is liable for over serving and serving underage kids. They know it not going to stop every case.

 

[Nitt1300]

I've been "pontificating" for YEARS about the "Culture Police State" on college campuses - like Penn State - for years

The counter-productive and insidious administrative bloat of the culture police, personified by organizations run by the "Damon Sims's" of the higher education bureaucracy

Of course, I'm just some asshole blowhard with no perception . As you know

I know, but that doesn't mean you're wrong all the time, or on every subject. On this one we can march in lockstep.

 

[PSU_Nut]

I get that something had to be done to Beta, but that should have be a separate punishment that has nothing to do with other fraternities. I would have thought the PS Admin would have announced a review of IFC practices in an effort to curb similar occurrences. That would have been the professional way to handle this. Clearly, our mission is the knee-jerk reaction.

Isn't that what they did? They Beta got a separate punishment and they reviewed and changed the rules for all fraternities.

 

[lionlurker]

Why not just ban Alcohol, nationally?

LdN

They did that once.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Parents weekend to be cancelled

If I read the Press Release correctly, Parents Weekend is not canceled. However, they are continuing the "ban on all social activities involving alcohol for the remainder of the spring semester." So the frats/sororities could still stage Parents Weekends. I just wonder how many parents, and how many brothers/sisters would enjoy a dry party at a frat house.

 

[wplion]

I currently serve as a board member for the local chapter of my fraternity here in Charlotte. I think that in today's environment of political correctness, the Greek system as we know it will not survive. In the Penn State incident, a student is dead. That is tragic. I cannot imagine being part of that family. What I don't know is did the Fraternity or any member have anything to do with it? I can tell you based on the number of lawsuits being filed Nationally against fraternities and the related decisions, a judge will find that both did.
All fraternities are breaking rules. So are non fraternity members at every school. Underage kids are drinking, some kids are smoking weed, some are doing worse, both in the fraternity and outside. There is some form of hazing, no matter how minor, at most. My National Fraternity is currently involved in multiple lawsuits. The issues above are front and center in every suit. In some of these cases, I cannot find that the members did anything wrong. Yet, as soon as the media hears about any case, the above points are emphasized (hazing, drinking, drugs) and it is all over. No one really cares about the facts, that ruins a good case. The costs are mounting and National Fraternities will soon not be able to afford or even get insurance.
I know very little about what happened at Beta, and feel horrible for that young man's family, friends, etc.

 

[PSU Soupy]

If I read the Press Release correctly, Parents Weekend is not canceled. However, they are continuing the "ban on all social activities involving alcohol for the remainder of the spring semester." So the frats/sororities could still stage Parents Weekends. I just wonder how many parents, and how many brothers/sisters would enjoy a dry party at a frat house.

Tom, this is probably correct. I received the news from my daughter who notified me 1 hour ago that parents weekend is cancelled........it may still be on the table if a dry weekend.

Incidentally, my daughters sorority had parents weekend at Beta last year, it was a very nice weekend.....

 

[Nitt1300]

If I read the Press Release correctly, Parents Weekend is not canceled. However, they are continuing the "ban on all social activities involving alcohol for the remainder of the spring semester." So the frats/sororities could still stage Parents Weekends. I just wonder how many parents, and how many brothers/sisters would enjoy a dry party at a frat house.

I also wonder just who the hell at the university actually thinks they have a right to dictate anything to parents

 

[Pardlion]

Seems to me that closing down pledging this semester, together with no real parties next fall, is going to severely distress the membership rolls of some of the frats. Maybe that's the plan.

 

[PSU_Nut]

I also wonder just who the hell at the university actually thinks they have a right to dictate anything to parents

They aren't. They are telling frats they can not serve alcohol. It not a difficult concept. Parents are free to drink. The fraternity just can't serve it to them.

 

[Victor E. Bell]

I also wonder just who the hell at the university actually thinks they have a right to dictate anything to parents

They dictate things to adults all the time. They dictate to me that I can't walk into Beaver Stadium with a bottle of vodka, for example. They dictate the cost of tuition, which parking spaces I am allowed to use, that I can't play racquetball at Rec Hall anymore, etc. I can abide by these rules or pay some fine or cost if I don't. If parents don't agree with some rule, they can leave the event or find somewhere else to send their kid to college. I get all that, it's not unreasonable. If there was some parent's event that had rules I found objectionable, I wouldn't go.

 

[Nitt1300]

They dictate things to adults all the time. They dictate to me that I can't walk into Beaver Stadium with a bottle of vodka, for example. They dictate the cost of tuition, which parking spaces I am allowed to use, that I can't play racquetball at Rec Hall anymore, etc. I can abide by these rules or pay some fine or cost if I don't. If parents don't agree with some rule, they can leave the event or find somewhere else to send their kid to college. I get all that, it's not unreasonable. If there was some parent's event that had rules I found objectionable, I wouldn't go.

They can do that on campus, of course.

 

[Royal_Coaster]

It pretty simple. They don't want the liability of having a university sanctioned organization killing more members. This is not the first Greek member to die. Greek organizations love to tell us how it not about drinking and parties. If that true then these new regulations should not be an issue.

Because as we all know, if you live in the dorms or apartments, not even a single drop of alcohol ever passes your lips, and you all graduate with your virginity intact.

 

[psuro]

We are all guilty. You are banned from drinking alcohol, too.

Oops. Too late for me then today.