National fraternity group orders ban on hard alcohol

An organization that represents thousands of fraternity chapters across the country is requiring its members to ban hard alcohol from events and facilities.

At its annual meeting last month, the North American Interfraternity Conference voted that each organization will adopt the rule by September 2019. The ban applies to drinks with an alcohol content of 15 percent or more, except when served by a licensed third party, such as a bartender or caterer. The NIC encompasses more than 6,100 chapters on 800 campuses.

“At their core, fraternities are about brotherhood, personal development and providing a community of support. Alcohol abuse and its serious consequences endanger this very purpose,” NIC President and CEO Judson Horras said in a news release. “This action shows fraternities’ clear commitment and leadership to further their focus on the safety of members and all in our communities.”

The organization adopted the rule as alcohol-related deaths, hazing and sexual assault at colleges and universities across the country have drawn growing scrutiny. Some universities, including the

University of Pittsburgh, already ban hard alcohol at fraternity events.

The NIC said the policy follows other initiatives it has pursued to try to make fraternities safer, including good Samaritan medical policies; testing measures to cut down on alcohol abuse; and stronger anti-hazing laws.

According to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s most recent biennial report on Underage and High-Risk Drinking, 82.9 percent of in-state fraternity members surveyed view drinking as a “central part” of their social lives — higher than the 71.4 percent figure nationwide.

Limits on hard alcohol will make campuses safer by setting clear rules for fraternity chapters, said Jim Piazza, whose 19-year-old son, Timothy, died last year in a hazing incident while pledging the Beta Theta Pi fraternity at Penn State University.

“I think it’s a step in the right direction,” said Mr. Piazza, who recently helped launch a national anti-hazing campaign with Greek organization leaders. “It certainly sends a message to the various chapters throughout their community that drinking hard alcohol creates a level of danger they shouldn’t be taking on.”

The Piazza family and Beta Theta Pi announced last week a settlement for an undisclosed amount, which includes changes designed to quell hazing, alcohol abuse and other pitfalls sometimes linked to Greek life. Among the 17 reforms outlined in the settlement: all Beta Theta Pi houses must be alcoholand substance-free by August 2020.