Greeks are anti-alcohol?

There is an underage drinking problem at IU. And at Purdue. And at Harvard. This problem exists at every university across the nation. If you don't believe it, stay sober for a night, go to a party, and observe. Observe the action of a student "fresh" out of high school who thinks it would be cool to bong four beers in 40 seconds after consuming three shots of Jack Daniels whiskey. Observe an intoxicated sophomore climb to the top of a bar not realizing all it takes is a fall from that bar to end up in a hospital bed. And if you care about your peers, help them realize the possible consequences of their actions.\nLast semester you couldn't drive a block without seeing an IU Police Department squad car. In September, IUPD arrested 217 people for underage drinking. They targeted fraternities and large off-campus parties. They patrolled residence halls, and kept tight security on Kirkwood Avenue. But were they successful? Did they deliver a message to students?\nThis semester the Panhellenic Association and Interfraternity Council is taking a new approach. It's called the party patrol. They may not be the IUPD, but they know how to regulate. They wear black North Face jackets and patrol fraternities Wednesday through Sunday. They are students with a mission.\nPanhellenic Association president Abbey Nimmer and Interfraternity Council President Evan Waldman shared their mission with the board of trustees last Friday. Nimmer and Waldman introduced the party patrol to Chancellor Sharon Brehm and other members from the board. \n"I felt confident about the things we were standing for and the things we were going to change," Waldman said.\nThe board of trustees embraced the idea of peer mediation. With the support of the board of trustees, Nimmer and Waldman knew it was time to move forward with their goal.\n"It is time for our members to take action by being proactive in our quest to stop illegal alcohol consumption," Nimmer said. "Now is the time to start learning from our mistakes and making new habits that promote higher standards for our community."\nFraternities and sororities are now required to register their functions. Party patrol then visits these functions to make sure the atmosphere is safe and alcohol-free. If there is alcohol, the party patrol calls for IUPD backup. If the party is free of beer and special punch, party patrol continues checking for safety and soon moves on to the next party. Failing to comply to party patrol rules will result in a large fine and possible disciplinary action. \nThe patrol is accomplishing three main things: First, they are promoting safety in the greek community. Students have died in alcohol-related incidents, and deaths will continue to occur without implementing new programs.\n Second, the party patrol is leading by example. They are sending a bold message that they care about the safety of their peers. And they are communicating with members of the greek community. \n I don't see IUPD holding conferences to discuss safety in drinking. The Student Activities Office, the IU administrative group in charge of greek life, now requires all new members to attend a training intervention program. At this workshop, students learn how to help their friends in dangerous situations involving alcohol and how to monitor their own alcohol intake. \nIt is inevitable that students will continue to drink before they reach the infamous age of 21. It's part of our modern culture. But how many more students have to die before we, as students, choose to play it safe and look out for our peers? PHA and IFC has taken a step in the right direction. It's time to follow their lead.