Lincoln (Neb.) -Sept. 30, 1999- The presidents and social chairs of 14 University of Nebraska-Lincoln sororities pledged Sept. 29 to reduce the potential for high- risk drinking on game days by refusing to "plan or participate in pre-football game functions involving alcohol unless they utilize a third-party vendor."
The agreement, signed by all 14, is a written form of what the sororities had already agreed to and enacted in their individual chpaters weeks earlier.
"This was already part of our policy, having agreed in an earlier meeting that we could have a positive impact on the Greek living environment, " said Angie Klein, President of Alpha Phi. "We've been very actively working to create a more responsible social environment for a long time."
Michelle Heyen, president of Kappa Alpha Theta, said, "By signing this agreement, we are taking a small step towards eliminating binge drinking."
The agreement that 24 sorority representatives signed reads: "We, the presidents and social chairs of all 14 Greek sororities at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, in an effort to promote alcohol-free living units within the Greek community and to provide a social climate that is welcoming to our underage members, agree not to plan or participate in pre-football game functions involving alcohol unless they utilize a third-party vendor. "
Much of the national Greek system has plans to be "substance free" by the year 2000. NU sororities and fraternities see much wisdom in gradually phasing out alcohol as the centerpoint of social events in preparation for the move.
"Sororities play a crucial role in creating a better social environment. We need to make a statement to fraternities, showing them that we encourage social events that are low risk," said Amy Horrum, president of Pi Beta Phi .
Lori Seward, president of Kappa Kappa Gamma, said, "We know that this can have a strong impact on the way parties are planned at UNL."
Sorority presidents commented at the meeting that the new policy has been heartily endorsed by members. "We've actually had better attendance at our functions now than before the policy," said Michelle Stewart, president of Delta Gamma.
"I think it's important that people realize how different things already are from just a few years ago," said Callie Crawford, president of UNL's Panhellenic Association. "Sororities and fraternities across the country are well aware of the dangers of alcohol, and are leading their campuses in taking pro-active steps to solving alcohol problems."
An agreement at the University of Florida's National Panhellenic Conference, signed by all 26 member chapters, resolved to support and encourage fraternities that have chosen to be substance free and encouraging others to change substance policies.
NU sorority presidents discussed the University of Florida agreement and said it is a step toward legitimizing what many in the Greek system are already doing.
"The public has this perception that we're resistant to these kinds of policies," said Crawford. "The problem is more often that alumni and the general public think that the 'Greek social tradition' means high-risk drinking, and that all these policies mean that Greek social life will be 'dry.' Neither are true. We're trying to show people that we can have a fulfilling social life without the threat of high risk intoxication."
Members of the Panhellenic Association and the Interfraternity Council have been actively involved in the student advisory committee, workgroups, and NU Directions, the university's campus-community coalition to reduce high risk drinking among NU students. Linda Schwartzkopf, Director of Greek Affairs, serves on the coalition's core planning team.
Editor's Note: Contact Tom Workman, NU Directions- (402) 472-
9112 for images of sorority members signing the document.
Contact Stephanie Nelson, Greek Affairs-(402) 472-2582 for
information on alcohol free events planned for this football
weekend.
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