For as long as the Greek community has been vibrant on university campuses, sororities have been banned from allowing alcohol into their chapter houses. The banning ranges from alcohol in members’ rooms, to no hosting of parties, ever. The more recent proposal posted in a New York Times article titled "Sorority Anti-Rape Idea: Drinking on Own Turf", has sparked opposing viewpoints.
While it may seem like “ drinking on ones own turf” would give women the upper hand advantage when avoiding sexual assault, there are multiple reasons why this would give a harmful image to sororities. Coming from an initiated sorority chapter member, I believe that the idea of hosting parties at sorority homes would provide more harm than good, and here’s why.
Initially, women in sororities are held at high standards and often expected to represent their chapters with the upmost honor and respect. Needless to say, these standards are often given leeway, or completely thrown out the window, when it comes to having a night out at a bar or attending a fraternity party. Sorority girls already struggle with the backlash of stereotypes that come with being a part of the organization. Allowing parties to be thrown in a place that is supposed to be a sacred and well-respected sorority chapter house would eliminate the image that the Greek community has worked hard to improve for women.
While on the subject of the sacredness of a sorority chapter house, the familiarity of sticky floors, broken objects, and smell of last night’s vomit is all too much for anyone who has ever stepped foot into a fraternity house. Not that we don’t all love a place where we can have a good time without the constant worries of breaking a vase or destroying new hard wooden floors, but this proposed change just adds another risk that sororities would be taking if the parties were moved to their own homes. There would be assumed damages that someone; likely the members by being included in increased dues, would have to pay for. Dues would also likely increase as a chapter’s liability insurance would skyrocket if the ban on alcohol was lifted.
Fraternities for years have upheld the traditions of being kind enough to allow everyone into their homes and to assume the liabilities that come with doing so. It’s hard to believe that sororities will be able to get over the broken chair or glass vase as easily as a fraternity member. The ideology to maintain a well-respected home when in full party girl mode is controversial in itself.
One can logically contend that sororities hosting parties at their houses would provide a few home-field advantages. It would allow sisters to control the alcohol being provided to further ensure the punch hasn’t been spiked with date rape drugs. Girls would also likely find confidence in knowing the layout of the venue. Additionally, the change in tradition would, at least initially, further spread awareness of an issue that is present on all college campuses nationwide.
The real issue lingering around, although, is that sororities hosting parties would not necessarily eliminate sexual assault. The reality of the situation is, if a male, or anyone, wants to spike some punch or slip a pill into someone’s drink, they are going to do it whether it is at a bar, their fraternity house, or on a sorority’s home court. This isn’t to say that males should be the prime targets when it comes to awareness of sexual assault. More than often, college campuses are seen by co-eds as a home away from home. It’s a safe haven to break the rules and do as you please without mom and dad hovering over you. This frequently results in carelessness and forgetting the values that parents spent eighteen years drilling into all of our heads.
The prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses is a very serious problem. The solution is the continuance of sexual assault education and every individual, male or female, being aware of their surroundings and what they are consuming. Not to say I am not one to enjoy an occasional, “ I got way too drunk for my own good last night,” but it is often in these situations that people find himself or herself incoherent and unable to make smart and rational decisions.
The responsibility of spreading awareness and expanding educational opportunities should not only fall into the hands of the Greek community, but also the campus community as a whole. Drinking on a familiar turf would offer a security blanket to the women of sororities. One must reason, although, that by allowing drinking in sorority chapter houses, we wouldn’t be addressing the real problems and instead begin a long list of new risks for women and men on college campuses.
