What do you think of the new frat rules? We asked around grounds
‘I wasn’t on a list so I went home’
Guest lists, party patrols, banning jungle juice.
The new Fraternal Organization Agreement (FOA) is the talk of UVA. The agreement came into effect at the beginning of the year, adding various conditions that govern how frats operate.
Yesterday, frat member Jack Sheridan criticized the new rules in a piece for The Tab, arguing that they won’t make parties safer and saying that the FOA is chiefly about protecting the reputation of the university.
One first year Yaks that it is easier to get into bars than into a frat party: “Another night of not being on any lists as a first year guy who knows probably a total of two upperclassmen here… Guess it’s a Trinity kinda night.”
We went out to ask UVA kids what they thought.
Myles Stremick, 1st year, Engineering
“I tried to go out one night to a frat party but I wasn’t on a list so I went home. Lists seem very arbitrary and some people who are on lists don’t even know they are on them.”
Brennan Lee, 2nd year, CLAS
“I think the spirit of those rules and regulations is correct. I am interested to see how they are actually going to be enforced by people outside of the fraternities. Writing them down isn’t enough.”
Hannah Piester, 1st year, CLAS
“I haven’t really had problems [getting into parties], but I also make sure I go to ones that I’m on the lists for. In terms of safety, I think banning hard liquor at parties isn’t necessarily effective, because people are just going to show up drunk.”
Connor Robinson, 4th year, CLAS
“At first everyone kind of overreacted. I do believe that it’s not that much of an inconvenience to the people running the party and I do think it makes the whole environment a lot safer – knowing that what you’re drinking is safe and where you’re at is safe.”
Jillian Fleming, 1st year, CLAS
“I don’t think the lists are necessarily effective. I don’t think girls have problems getting into parties – but I have noticed more bouncers. [They do a] better job guarding the upstairs so it does seem safer, the rule on closed alcohol, like the cans, is a great idea to put everyone’s mind at ease. I know that I would never just take a cup.”
Heather Smith, 3rd year, CLAS
“I can imagine that [the rules] wouldn’t be that effective. I don’t know if they would follow the rules exactly, especially when alcohol is in the picture. I think the idea is good – I just picture it not working.”
Olivier Weiss, 2nd year, CLAS
“I think the way the restrictions were imposed, specifically banning all frat activities, was a little ridiculous. It was a PR stunt.”
Sal Atapoor, 2nd year, CLAS
“I absolutely think it’s effective. You can totally tell that the fraternities put in a lot more effort in preparation and risk management.”