New members of the Greek system filed into the Ackerman Grand
Ballroom Wednesday, expecting a presentation introducing them to
fraternity and sorority life.
But in addition to the usual presentation, attendees got a crash
course in legal disputes from a man who knows those issues
well.
Larry Webster, the Pacific branch supervisor in the Los Angeles
City Attorney’s Office, discussed the possible ramifications
of misdemeanors and felonies, ranging from possession of fake IDs
to hazing, during the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic
Council’s New Member Forum.
Consequences could include court appearances, community service,
fines and jail time, Webster said. He addressed the issues by
staging a series of scenarios in which students could find
themselves involved, including stealing, sexual harassment and
alcohol possession by a minor.
He said most students do not think of their actions’
consequences except in retrospect.
“Young adults everywhere, very often, they feel
invulnerable because they’re young … (and that is) enhanced
by being in an environment like a university,” Webster said.
“Keep in mind, you’re not in a safe zone.”
Typically the forum, which takes place during the fall and
spring quarters, does not include a guest legal representative,
said IFC president Chris Hatfield.
But both the IFC and Panhellenic Council felt the presentation
would be more effective when told from an attorney’s
perspective, Hatfield said.
Theta Chi Vice President Eric Weinstein and Theta Chi alumnus
James Sun invited Webster to speak in an effort to be proactive,
Sun said.
UCLA falls within the jurisdiction of Webster’s
branch.
“UCLA unfortunately generates a lot of cases that I have
to deal with at my branch, and I want to see less,” Webster
said.
The purpose of the forum was to educate new members on legal
issues, Hatfield said.
But such a meeting is not required by UCLA, said Scott Carter,
Greek adviser in the UCLA Office of Fraternity and Sorority
Relations.
Students also heard speeches from several Greek-affiliated
groups, including an overview of the dangers of binge drinking,
alcohol poisoning and other activities commonly associated with
Greek life.
All new members were required to attend, but many students were
anxious to get back to studying for midterms.
Third-year psychology student and Sigma Chi pledge Jeff Bonnaud
said the forum might have been redundant for older students who
have heard similar presentations before, but the meeting was useful
for new members because often “being freshmen, they
aren’t really experienced.”
“Overall, it taught a lot of people about the consequences
of what could happen,” Bonnaud said, adding that, to some
extent, there were several people who were not aware of the
risks.