Despite the recent crackdown on underage drinking by the University administration, some first-year students still participated in the annual pilgrimage to Rugby Road during their first full weekend at the University.
While accounts of the frequency of underage drinking differed, many first years claimed that it was relatively easy for underage students to obtain alcohol at fraternity-hosted parties.
"It's really easy" to get into fraternity parties, first-year College student Jennifer Kregar said. "They check ID, but they just glance at it and let you in."
Lissa Percopo, Inter-Sorority Council vice chairwoman for party patrol, said party patrol alcohol violation statistics from this weekend are not yet available.
Kregar said she had seen other first years at Rugby Road parties, and that many of them were served alcohol.
According to Inter-Fraternity Council regulations, fraternity members are supposed to check the IDs of all party-goers and mark their hands if they are under 21.
A first-year College student, speaking on condition of anonymity, agreed it was not difficult for first years to gain access to kegs at fraternity parties.
It was possible to present a credit card in place of a legitimate ID and still be admitted to some of the parties, she said.
Another first-year College student, also speaking on conditions of anonymity, said he was able to "just walk through the door" at a Rugby Road party.
Some underage students had their hands stamped to ensure that they were not permitted to obtain alcohol but not all fraternities exercised such preventive measures, he said.
The student said fraternity-sponsored events he attended were merely relaxed get-togethers, not wild bashes.
But alcohol was often readily available to first years at parties, he said.
It was a simply a matter of "looking for the right one," he added.
Asst. Dean of Students Aaron Laushway said fraternities have a responsibility to monitor those students who attend their parties.
"Although first years are going to party, they should not be served alcohol," Laushway said.
If caught serving alcohol to underage drinkers, fraternities or sororities may be found guilty of violating University and IFC regulations.
They are subject to sanctions designated by the IFC's Judicial Committee.
According to Mike Christopher, IFC Vice President for Judiciary, these sanctions could range from a fine to community service to "social probation," whereby the offending fraternity would be prohibited from holding parties within a given time frame.
The harshest sanction would be a revocation of the fraternity's contract with University.
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