VOLUME 11, NO. 3     FEBRUARY 1998

Discussion on alcohol issues

student leaders meeting called by WPI administrators was held in early December to discuss alcohol issues and to announce new policies and clarifications. About 200 students, including representatives from the Greek community and the Greek Alumni Council attended.

President Parrish, in his opening remarks, noted that alcohol use on college campuses is a national problem.

"It's much broader than the Greek system on our campus. We hope this meeting tonight will clarify existing WPI policies, review the relationship statement on the use of alcohol, and explain our new policies."

Janet Begin Richardson, assistant vice president for student affairs and dean of student life, reviewed benefits of the Greek system on campus that included leadership training as a laboratory for teamwork, philanthropy work as a housing alternative, social life and community service. "We have a commitment to the WPI Greek system," Richardson said. "There's been an investment in wiring chapter houses and providing chapter loans. There's been assistance in locating and purchasing land and facilities as well as use of WPI property for Greek housing. And there's been staff support for Greek life and availability of campus facilities and resources for the Greek program."

The WPI/Greek Relationship Statement, written in 1986 and updated in 1988 and 1991, includes the following tenets: support the academic mission, respect the rights of the campus community, comply with campus code and local, state, and federal laws, and avoid hazards and liability exposure.

The main discussion issues:

• Under state and federal law, minors may not be served or bring alcohol to chapter or other campus activities; size of functions is limited by existing codes.

• Under existing policies, closed functions (by invitation only) are allowed when alcohol is present; weeknight functions involving alcohol are not allowed. Chapters must effectively control access to premises when alcohol is served. Violation of policies will result in administrative action of probation, social probation, or suspension of recognition.

• Under new policies and clarifications, a closed function is defined as allowing two guests per member. University officials, including campus police, are allowed entry into chapter houses when there are health or safety concerns. To support academic success, Greek Rush participation will be moved from fall to spring in the 1998-99 academic year.

Also making prepared statements to the students were Mike Stark, Student Government Association president, and John Marczewski '95, president of the Greek Alumni Council. Marczewski noted that the council is concerned about the tragedies that have taken place at other colleges involving alcohol. "The council has prepared an issue statement that will be posted on our Web page," he said. "We consider this not only a Greek issue, but one affecting the entire campus. We're all in this together and want to keep the dialog open."

Future work presented by the WPI cabinet includes the development of a campus coalition involving students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni and the community. WPI wants to implement a total effort focusing on education, enforcement, early intervention and environmental change and to support social and recreational activities as healthy alternatives for students. As part of that effort there will be funding for social programming, facilities available for programming, bus trips to Boston (something already initiated on Saturdays), and better access to Worcester community programming.

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