UI Council Votes To Stiffen Rules On Alcohol

There was no celebratory sound of champagne corks popping, but rather the resolute whack of a wooden gavel.

The University of Idaho Interfraternity Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to pass an alcohol policy more restrictive than state law, limiting where and when alcohol can be consumed in fraternity houses.

The sorority-organized Panhellenic Council voted to table the issue, taking it back to their houses for one more round of discussion before giving final approval.

Nationally, sororities have been pressing Greek systems to go entirely substance-free. Though Tuesday’s policy falls short of that, University of Idaho Greek adviser Chris Wuthrich said he was pleased with the action.

“I’m happy they passed a policy that goes a bit further than the law,” Wuthrich said. “They’ve obligated themselves to a higher standard.”

The policy allows fraternity members and guests over 21 to consume alcohol only in their rooms. It limits social events to no more than four Greek houses at a time, each with a guest list of 20 people. Alcohol cannot be purchased through the fraternity’s treasury or by any person acting on behalf of the fraternity.

It also requires each fraternity to sponsor at least one alcohol awareness program each year and bans kegs from fraternity property.