The Issue: After years of inconsistent enforcement concerning drinking during fraternity recruitment, the Interfraternity Council took action against fraternities this year for drinking violations. After some fraternities complained about unequal representation under the Executive Board’s oversight on recruitment control, the IFC decided to revise recruitment bylaws making Greek relations stronger and equal.

Our Stance: Consistency is key when enforcing rules. The Herald applauds the IFC for acknowledging flaws in their rule enforcement in years past. Making revisions to its bylaws in attempts to patrol fraternities and provide enough sufficient evidence for any actions taken against a fraternity is a step in the right direction.

The revision states that complaints will be handled as per IFC constitutional procedures. In order to find a fraternity guilty, two IFC council members must witness the infraction, or there must be “sufficient” evidence to prove the infraction to be true, according to IFC bylaws.

In September, Pi Kappa Alpha and Delta Tau Delta fraternities had Homecoming pairings revoked in a ruling by the IFC judicial board after being found guilty of throwing recruitment parties where alcohol was present.

Only some fraternities have positions on the executive board, whereas every chapter has representation on the judicial board. IFC bylaws call the presence of alcohol at recruitment parties a “major offense,” and after a third violation, the issue will be sent to the university Judicial Office.

“Some fraternities thought we were picking on them,” said Blake Lambert, the vice president of IFC judicial affairs.

Although implementing the revisions looks good on paper, will it really change anything with the relationship between the IFC and fraternities?

Alissa Mansfield, the coordinator of student activities for Greek affairs, said the revision won’t substantially change the implementation of patrolling and it’s primarily meant to make sure the process is fair.

IFC President John Hughes said the focus of the IFC is not to patrol the fraternities, but rather to help them in their goals. 

“I feel like that’s been lost over the years,” he said.

Even if the revision doesn’t improve Greek relations or stop fraternities from blaming infractions on other fraternities, at least the IFC has put forth an effort to make recruitment for potential new members fair.

This editorial represents the majority opinion of the Herald’s 10-member editorial board.