In a document submitted to the Office of Residential Life last Friday, the Greek Leaders Council officially proposed that the recently-mandated Safety and Security walk-throughs be conducted only twice per week and within a scheduled six-hour time window.
Additionally, the GLC suggested that walk-throughs not occur on Wednesday evenings after 9:30 p.m., and that College officers be escorted through the physical plant by a resident.
According to President of Chi Heorot fraternity John Campbell '03, although the GLC is "very hopeful" that the proposal will be accepted, its members are cognizant that "there are going to be future proposals and negotiations down the road."
Neither Deans of Residential Life Cassie Barnhardt nor Deborah Carney could be reached for comment.
At present, the policy implementation remains in limbo. Since declaring that the walk-throughs would be effective immediately after their announcement on July 3rd, the deans of residential life have already postponed their actual start date twice, and currently that date has yet to be reset.
President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity John Kartt '03 stressed that this "compromise proposal" should in no way be interpreted as an acceptance of the administration's new policy.
"We're making this compromise under duress," Kartt explained, adding that this final acquiescence comes only after a long line of administrational back and forth with ORL.
The proposal further suggests that any health and safety violations involving drugs or alcohol found during the walk-throughs be dealt with individually as per the rules set forth in the 2000-2001 Student Handbook.
According to the proposal, if a Safety and Security officer cites violations by a house member inside his or her own house, that member would be both reprimanded by the College and internally adjudicated by his or her organization. The organization, however, would not be held responsible for the violations.
"You don't want to have everybody in the house held accountable for one person acting out of line," Campbell said.
The proposal suggests that the walk-through dates rotate so houses will not be visited on the same days on consecutive weeks.
Furthermore, under the new proposal, Safety and Security officers would not be allowed to enter physical plants during previously scheduled house traditions or rituals, including Wednesday evening meetings.
According to Kartt, most Greek organizations engage in rituals that are meant to be kept secret from non-members.
"We need to have a time when we can close our doors ... and not have the threat of an outsider walking in," he said.
