IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) - The University of Iowa says it’ll allow some fraternities and sororities to serve alcohol at one event following a ban on such parties after the death of a student.
University officials are testing a pilot program this weekend for 26 eligible Greek chapters to host one formal party with limits on hard liquor and serving time, the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported .
The moratorium still applies to all 36 university chapters outside this weekend’s single event for those that qualify. The ban has been in place since 19-year-old freshman Kamil Jackowski was found unresponsive while attending a formal in April. There’s no set time for when the moratorium will be lifted.
Officials said the moratorium and the pilot program are measures being taken to reduce high-risk drinking and to improve the university’s reputation.
Greek organizations participating in the pilot program can only serve beer, wine and hard cider over the span of three hours, according to the Interfraternity Council’s guidelines.
Students may only consume a certain amount of alcoholic beverages over the course of the event, which will be tracked on wristbands. Each chapter must also appoint a sober monitor for every 20 attendees.
Following the event, participants will have to provide feedback in a survey or risk university sanctions.
“We believe this is an important opportunity for chapter members and leaders to be participants in positive change regarding the alcohol culture within the fraternity and sorority community,” Greek leaders wrote in a letter to the university’s alcohol harm reduction work group.
Fraternity and sorority leaders aim to have a program report to the university’s student life vice president by the end of the fall semester.
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Information from: Iowa City Press-Citizen, http://www.press-citizen.com/
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