Drunk Female Guests Are The Gravest Threat To Fraternities

Cache of Forbes.com ^ | 9/23/2014 | Bill Frezza

[iowamark]

I realize this headline is click-bait, but I believe it to be true. Let me explain.

I am the president of the alumni house corporation of my MIT fraternity. One of my responsibilities is working with our young brothers to identify and manage risks that could lead to a tragic loss of life, the bankruptcy or loss of our chapter house as a result of a legal judgment, or forced dissolution after serving MIT students for over 125 years.

A recent incident at MIT’s Lambda Chi Alpha chapter in which a drunk female student apparently danced her way out of a window has, once again, resulted in a clamp-down on all fraternity parties. Thankfully, she seems to be recovering. And while this may appear to be a freak accident, something like this could happen on any campus, at any dorm or fraternity party, wet or dry. Unless and until we address how student drinking culture has evolved in response to the very regulations designed to control it, incidents like this are not going to go away. As recriminations against fraternities mount and panicked college administrators search for an easy out, one factor doesn’t seem to be getting sufficient analysis: drunk female guests...

Here is what I recommend to my young charges:

Identify drunks at the door. I don’t care how pretty or flirtatious a young lady is; if she’s visibly intoxicated, don’t let her in. Although we were once reprimanded for turning away a drunk female student who ultimately required an ambulance when she passed out on our sidewalk, it would have gone a lot worse for us had she collapsed inside.

In addition to the usual bouncers, assign several brothers to monitor female party guests. If any appear out of control, walk them to the door and put them in a cab heading back to their dorm. You can send me the bill. If they refuse to leave, call for an escort from campus police.

Never, ever take a drunk female guest to your bedroom – even if you have a signed contract indicating sexual consent...

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Gosh! The same when I was at Alabama.

[warsaw44]

I had the misfortune to live in a building flanked by MIT frats in Boston. Not Cambridge where MIT is located - Boston.

Out of control parties, complete disregard to neighbors - a nightmare. Endless amounts of noise just about every night of the week.

[ansel12]

I don’t care how pretty or flirtatious a young lady is; if she’s visibly intoxicated, don’t let her in.

I can't even think of a comment, I'm just stunned.

[shove_it]

On the other hand ...

Wesleyan University orders fraternities to become coed:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3207147/posts

[tumblindice]

Maybe they were just, uh, artistic.

[Paulie]

When you think of something, be sure to let us know.

[ansel12]

Since the beginning of time when males throw a party, we wouldn't run off the girls trying to get in, because we smell alcohol on them.

[Nifster]

Forget the female part....fraternities are notorious for the amount alcohol consumed. Most are under aged. All are engaged in binge drinking. There is no rational reason to engage in drunk ness....male or female

[Amagi]

Bill Frezza has an excellent radio program available for listening over the internet.
Interviews two guests each program on a wide range of interesting topics.
Saturdays 10:05-11:00 AM Eastern.
Live Show Link: The Real Clear Radio Hour with Bill Frezza
Archives: Real Clear Radio Hour Previous Interviews

[Gay State Conservative]

When people,especially kids...male *and* female...are drunk very bad things can,and all too often *do*,happen.parents and others have a serious responsibility to tell kids that.