USC Sorority Council kicked off National Hazing Prevention Week in memorable fashion Monday evening, unanimously passing new safety guidelines for Greek functions.
By a 15-0 margin, sorority chapter leaders elected to ratify last week’s proposal, which was circulated to individual chapters for consideration throughout the week of Sept. 11. The new rules include a ban on the serving of hard liquor and a half-hour sober period prior to transportation of chapter members and their dates to Council-sanctioned social events. Two amendments to the original proposal were approved as well.
The first amendment permits sororities to hold events in Five Points as long as extra security is provided. The original proposal strictly prohibits events in Five Points.
The second amendment clarifies the original sober period clause. Chapters can serve food at their house prior to functions or at the event venue before alcohol is served, rather than having to do both.
Update:
Sorority Council members quickly approved the amendments after chapter presidents expressed concern that budgetary constraints could cause them to hold fewer functions in 2016-17 if venue changes became mandatory. Five Points venues, they noted, are cheaper to rent than those in the Vista and all but eliminate the price of transportation - chapters do not need to provide a bus for members and their dates to make the mile-and-a-half trek from Greek Village.
Sorority Council members added that extra security is not required for events held in Five Points that do not involve alcohol consumption.
Despite initial revulsion to last week’s proposal - including the hosting of a Change.org petition - the seven days seemed to make a profound difference on the tone of Monday’s meeting. All attending chapter presidents showed eagerness to vote and openly rejoiced when the motion was unanimously passed.
A source close to The Daily Gamecock, originally an ardent opponent of last week’s proposal, seemed to join in SoCo’s sentiment. The new rules, she said, are certainly an improvement over administrative action from university officials.
“I think it’s calmed down a lot more,” she stated after being informed of the result of Monday’s vote. “They’re [the rules] stricter but there was a lot of miscommunication to begin with… I kinda understand [S]orority [C]ouncil’s reasoning.”
To read the proposal and more coverage on the Sorority Council, click here.