From their first meal in Food Court to their first time on blitzmail, the Fall term provides a time for freshman to engage in countless new activities every day. But one activity which members of the Class of 1999 will not experience this fall, if college administrators have their way, is attending parties at Dartmouth's sixteen Greek organizations.
The Coed, Fraternity, Sorority Executive Council has enacted a self-enforced visitation policy barring freshmen from every house during registered social events in the fall.
The CFS's policy emphasizes that members of the Class of 1999 are permitted and encouraged to attend any non-alcoholic, social or educational event held at any fraternity or sorority.
According to the policy, every reasonable effort must be made to ensure that freshmen do not enter fraternities and sororities illegally. Checking College identification cards at the main entrance and keeping all other doors locked from the outside are recommended by the CFS.
"We do our best to keep freshmen out by checking IDs at the door. But somehow there are a few freshmen that always manage to sneak in," Pankaj Gupta '98, a pledge at Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity, said.
If a freshman is found in violation of the visitation policy, the organization is subject to action by the CFS Judiciary Committee.
A fine of $100 per freshmen may be levied against the house, with the money being deducted from the social fund of the organization in question.
Many freshmen said they are aware of the fines that their presence incurs on fraternities and sororities.
Ryan Calo '99 said, "I would not want to be the freshmen who got caught in a fraternity, and have that fraternity get punished because of me."
According to a random survey of twenty-five College students conducted by the Dartmouth, all questioned freshmen opposed the visitation policy.
Many freshmen refuse to let the CFS's policy prohibit them from attending fraternity and sorority parties.
They employ a variety of tactics, such as sneaking into the back door or using fake IDs, to gain access to the illusive parties.
"When you go to a frat party, there are always certain risks you take," Brad Bingham '99 said. "I choose to take those risks."
Various College organizations are sponsoring activities which serve as alternatives to fraternity parties.
Two of these include the Fall Fling, an a cappella concert which will take place tonight at the Hopkins center for the Performing Arts, and the Homecoming Formal, a dance which will take place tomorrow night at the Collis Common Ground.
