University President Dave Frohnmayer approved new standards Friday requiring all greek chapters to have alcohol-free housing by December in order to remain affiliated with the school.
Frohnmayer said voluntary alcohol-free housing initiatives haven’t been enough to stop a growing problem of reckless, unsupervised drinking in some fraternity houses.
“Voluntary standards were not only not working, they were actually being flaunted,” he said.
He added that the University has a right to impose standards of behavior for students in the greek system because they receive services other students do not.
“Greek students receive special services from the University,” he said. “In return, we want to see standards of behavior that are reflective of special privileges.”
In a statement released by the Office of Communications, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Anne Leavitt said the alcohol-free housing requirement is just one part of four changes in greek system standards.
“Members will be expected to meet reasonable academic standards, to manage their property so that alcohol and illegal drugs will not be present, to work closely with alumni and chapter advisers, and to recommit to the leadership and community service that have always been a tradition with greek organizations,” she said.
Chapters will be required to maintain a grade point average at least as high as the overall University average.
To remain affiliated with the school, each house will be required to provide the University with a written agreement by Sept. 1 that it will meet the new standards by the December deadline.
Chapters that do not meet them will lose access to University services, such as help with recruitment, the free use of intramural fields and meeting rooms, and assistance with membership development and educational programs.

— Kara Cogswell