After changes, IFC faces off-campus parties

When members of the Interfraternity Council drastically altered the rules of the rush recruitment process, they knew the way people party might change too.

“We’re realistic, we know the system,” said IFC President Tucker Piner. “We tried to plan out all possible consequences of the changes.”

Piner said one of those consequences is the move of parties from fraternity houses to off-campus residences, joining the multitude of private parties thrown by UNC students every week.

“We’re so pleased the cups aren’t lining the streets in front of the houses,” he said, “but right now we’re faced with what to do about the parties going off campus.”

In an attempt to remain autonomous, the IFC moved rush to the beginning of the school year, declared it alcohol-free and barred rushees from being in fraternity houses past 11 p.m.

The changes come in response to a study being conducted by the University and Board of Trustees to examine the benefits of deferring rush to spring semester or beyond.

Piner said students who are rushing aren’t allowed to be at the off-campus house parties, and one fraternity’s attempt to skirt the new rules could have both policy and safety repercussions.

“It’s not really a good decision on the chapter’s part,” he said. “If the party gets busted by the police, that all goes to the University, and then it’s just going to be a bigger consequence for the fraternity.

“We’re not having alcohol at all,” Piner said. “If we find out about parties, we’re going to investigate them.”

Lt. Kevin Gunter, public information officer for the Chapel Hill Police Department, said police weren’t aware of the new rush rules, but the high number of alcohol violations the department sees this time of year could change as a result.

One rushee, whose name will not be disclosed so as not to impede his rush process, said although the new regulations help rushees meet members outside of a constant party setting, the changes are unnecessary.

“It’s unrealistic to think that rush will be completely free of alcohol,” he said. “The regulations push parties far from campus, and a long walk or car ride back is further complicated by alcohol.”

Piner said the council has asked fraternity presidents to have at least two designated drivers at events where rushees aren’t present, but even having those parties might be chancy given the new policies.

“You’re kind of playing Russian Roulette,” Piner said. “How many times do you want to roll the dice and risk it?”

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