ROHAN ARORA, Editor-in-Chief—
Much of the buzz on campus has been about changes to social policies, specifically regarding how Greek organizations are expected to operate on campus. Several administrators have been having numerous conversations with Fraternity presidents, social chairs, risk managers etc. in an effort to redefine the rules in place for their organizations.
Last school year, Interfraternity Council (IFC) Fraternities were permitted to host social events on their outdoor patios, which are all located behind dorms on North Loop. At the beginning of this school year, they were told they can no longer hold events, but that has also been changed.
Now, IFC organizations are permitted to host events on their outdoor patios on Saturdays only if they are registered through “WhattoDU.”
Last year, IFC organizations were permitted to socialize outside to help offer COVID safe options for social life. In return, the school received an increased number of complaints from North Loop residents.
The decision to allow fraternities to register on Saturdays only is intended to minimize the disruption to residents, according to CLIC associate director Ashley Metzger. Many North Loop residence halls are either substance free or have expanded quiet hours.
In past years, administration has been involved in Denion’s greek scene. Many of the changes made by administration are done so, generally to protect the safety of a ority of those on campus.
In the Early 2000’s fraternities were banned from living in houses, a move which was done as a result of several flagrant safety concerns on Fraternity row.
As part of the conversation around social life changes, Denison administration hired consultant, speaker, and life coach Dan Faill.
Faill’s overall mandate at Denison is to analyze Fraternity life and also broader social life on campus, and consolidate his findings into a report which can then be used by administration to make more informed decisions on how to handle Greek life in the longer term.
Faill met with members of IFC fraternities and administrators among other parties to gather input into social life at Denison as it pertains to Greek life.
IFC organizations have had the advantage of having their own spaces, which many other organizations do not, including Multicultural Council and National Panhellenic Council Greek organizations.
James Whitney ‘22, president of Delta Chi fraternity, said that many of the discussions were regarding topics like “Hosting of Social Events” and “Equity in Greek life.”
In regards to social life, many people have been somewhat confused with what the policies are. Initially, the policy seemed to be discouraging gathering at fraternity spaces in favor of public social spaces like Lamson and the Moonies..
Whitney also mentioned some of these conversations dealt with equity in Greek life. Whitney explained that “not all Greek organizations are the same. Some on campus own their houses, and collect rent from The University, while others rent out their house and have to pay rent to Denison in order to use the space.”
Whitney mentioned that these discussions were greatly emphasized, but the main goal of the conversations is to help “Denison bring greek life out of the grey area we were in last year due to COVID restrictions”
During COVID, Fraternities and sororities were somewhat limited in the activities they could and could not do. Rushing, or looking at various fraternities to figure out if one wishes to join any, occurre virtually and Administration-sanctioned parties were more limited than they had been in previous years.
Many who had seen social life before COVID did not particularly care for the social changes which the pandemic forced students to adopt. This year, however, things seem to be changing, not only in terms of a greater acceptance for socializing in public spaces, but also in terms of Student organizations’ willingness to provide a safe and welcoming environment for Denisonians to party.