Monday, October 13, 1997
Greek societies impose strict alcohol awareness
DRINKING: Frats get bad rap, while unregulated apartment parties
don’t
By Chrissy Carney
UCLA fraternity and sorority life entails many different facets.
Community service, academic advancement and scholarship,
philanthropy and service, and social life are only some of the
amazing things Greeks at UCLA are involved in.
One aspect of the Greek system that UCLA students seem to be
drawn to the most are Greek social events. UCLA Panhellenic and
Interfraternity Councils do not overlook the importance of risk
management and alcohol awareness. Risk management is a vital
portion of Panhellenic and the Interfraternity Council – concerned
primarily with the safety and well being of UCLA fraternity men,
sorority women and all UCLA students.
The Risk Management Program implements strict regulations and
policies with alcohol and drugs, in adherence to UCLA and national
chapter regulations. One of the strongest portions of this program
is an educational group of men and women known as GAMMA (Greeks
Advocating the Mature Management of Alcohol).
GAMMA works closely with the university police department
(UCPD), seeing that all fraternity parties are reported to the UCPD
in advance. The UCPD is aware of each event and contacts people
designated to work with them, in the event that a problem should
arise. Most students are not aware that the UCPD regularly attends
social chair trainings, along with the Alcoholic Beverage Control,
making an effective educational presentation. With this knowledge,
GAMMA patrol groups regulate the security of UCLA’s campus by
monitoring social events to make sure that students are safe and
following the rules of the law and UCLA.
Whether evident or not, the Greek community probably stands as
the most regulated community on this campus. As a UCLA student, I
would be hard-pressed to find a party where a student has more
protection.
Think about apartment parties and how they compare: you will not
find security, someone checking identification, the control of
underage drinking, or any familiarity with the UCPD, should a
problem arise. You may be surprised, yet now you are aware that
UCLA Greeks are working as hard as they can to make this campus a
safe environment for all.