Fraternities Cite Damage to HousesBy DIANA STANLEY The fraternity houses of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnston have suffered extensive damages in years past. Yet, Jacob Stiffler, director of Housing, has expressed optimistic feelings for the 1979- 80 school year. He believes the house managers of Lambda Sigma Rho, Delta Sigma Chi, Delta Chi and Acacia are working to alleviate the problem. A group damage report, released by the Housing Office. indicated the following estimated property damages for the 1978-79 year: Larkspur Lodge, Cottages II and Ill, $922, Heather Lodge, Cottages II and Ill, $480, Foxfire Lodge, $397 and Hawthorn, Cottage ll, $355. According to Stiffler, many damages occur during large social gatherings; "Alcohol and damages go hand in hand." Many house managers agree that open parties are a significant factor. Reginold Synder, House Manager of Delta Chi, states "Undoubtedly, damages are caused by open parties. Yet, you can not pinpoint who does it." He went on to say, "Most damages are caused by accidents. The students do not do it on purpose." House Manager for Delta Sigma Chi, Larry Kreider, also believes most of the damage is related to fraternities’ parties. Some managers believe the problem isthe result of students’ apathetic attitude toward destruction. "Students take advantage of the University's’ property. They have the attitude that it's not their property, therefore, they are not responsible for damages," quotes Vance Becker, Acacia's House Manager. The damages are located in the basements, lobbies and stairways. Among the damages are cracked tiles, holes in the walls, torn screens and broken furniture. In the past, the Housing Office used student's matriculation fee to pay for damages. Becker believes if an individual is doing damage "it should come out of his own pocket." Many managers are hoping for a successful year in regards to less property damage. Snyder comments, The damage this year will be less than in the past." Party Policies Discussed By Campus FraternitiesBy TOM WOJCIK
"Each fraternity should promote Greek activities, not parties," said lnter-Fraternity Council President Bill Murray at lFC's Sept. 17 meeting. Murray's comment was made during a discussion on the issue of fraternity parties. Some representatives feel the ‘open party system,’ presently employed by the fourfraternities (Acacia, Delta Chi, Delta Sigma Chi, Lambda Sigma Rho), removes some of the eliteness of fraternal brotherhood. Remarked one representative, "In one respect, independents are not distinguished from Greeks; that being easy admittance to parties. Some things should be exclusively for Greeks.” Motion for a ‘closed party system’ was rejected. IFC recognized the fact that 1 independent upperclassmen, who have no intention of joining a fraternity, frequent many of the parties. However, they agree it would be almost impossible to screen everyone who attends. ''I wouldn't enjoy turning away friends because they weren't Greek," said representative Mike Hacker. ‘'I don't think any fraternity would enjoy that." As an alternate solution, IFC agreed to discontinue advertising fraternity parties. Members feel that without advertising, independents who are attracted only by the easy access to beer will be less likely to attend the parties. Those who have an»interest in the social aspect of brotherhood will gain knowledge of the party through brothers or other interested individuals. Murray, along with other representatives, feels parties should not be used as ‘bait’ for prospective rushes (one who seriously considers joining a fraternity/ sorority). "We must generate more inter-Greek activity," said Murray. "Such as Greek weekends, softball games and the like. lt’s important we show independents that brotherhood, and Greek life in general, is much more than parties." 'I can definitely see a problem,” commented Student Life Dean Lowell Shaffer, on the Greek party issue "but it appears we're on our way to solving it." Shaffer agrees with the idea of promoting activities rather than parties. Shaffer continued, ’'It may help to return some of the uniqueness and mystique to fraternal brotherhood."
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