Responding to what she said were chronic problems with Greek culture, Karin Johnes, director of Greek Life, has banned alcohol from all Greek events for the remainder of the semester. The moratorium was triggered (but not caused) by the altercation on the Row a week and a half ago, she said. This is entirely too short a time period to make such a far-reaching decision.

Johnes made this decision in a week. Normally, any change in the University takes months of committee meetings, consultations with taskforces and solicitation of input from faculty, staff and students. Yet Johnes did not consult with Greek leaders, Student Union or the University Alcohol Committee, all of which could have had productive suggestions.

Though the ban only names Greeks, there will be repercussions throughout campus because the Row is a major part of the underclass social scene. Without parties there, residents of the South 40 will increase pre-partying in their rooms and/or party off campus. In both instances, the moratorium moves alcohol consumption from a relatively public place with some security presence underground; B&D doesn’t secure off campus parties, and WUPD can’t monitor all the residence halls as easily as it can monitor the Row.

EST has reported an increase in the number of calls related to hard alcohol in the recent past; this coincides with stricter alcohol policies University-wide, and supports the idea that increased pre-partying is a net danger to students. Now, however, EST may face fewer calls, because people may be less willing to call when someone needs help.

Although EST doesn’t report calls to Greek Life, Johnes said she finds out about the incidents via other sources, and an EST call certainly spotlights any such incident. With the punishment for violating the alcohol ban including possibly being kicked off campus, Greeks may understandably be reluctant to call attention to any alcohol-related emergencies while the ban is in effect. This is an unacceptable risk to students’ health.

Drinking in less controlled locales poses a risk to the student body in general, but Johnes said that was not the controlling factor in her decision; she was looking out for Greek Life. In effect, she’s passing the ball to her colleagues in ResLife, who will now have to deal with more alcohol emergencies on the 40. So the problem of student drinking isn’t being solved, ultimately.

The actual ban is vague in its wording. Though individuals can still drink, even unofficial events can’t have alcohol. There’s no definition given for “event,” so it’s wholly up to Johnes to determine whether a Greek organization violated the ban. Appeals to the spirit of the ban don’t help, because everyone has a different idea of that “spirit.” For example, if a few brothers are watching TV, they can drink, according to Johnes. But what about 20 brothers? With some sorority friends? Many Greeks will understandably play it safe to avoid sanctions, with the ban infringing on their liberty to engage in responsible adult social activities.

Finally, there are no criteria for determining when the Greek scene has made sufficient progress to warrant reinstating alcohol privileges. Even Vice Chancellor for Students James McLeod, who approved the ban, admitted that he doesn’t know where he wants it to go. This is patently unfair.

If the ban really is more of a catalyst to change Greek culture, and not a punishment, then Johnes has to start by outlining specific and concrete objectives for the Greek community. But before she makes more hasty decisions, she may want to consult others, many others, to ensure that those decisions are wise.

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