Student groups are scrambling for new ideas on where and how to hold social events now that the Inter-Fraternity Council will not rent its members' houses to non-Greek organizations.
That decision was made at an IFC meeting two weeks ago, and already Student Council President Abby Fifer has developed a plan for the University to pay for security at parties and other events for Contracted Independent Organization.
Fifer also said the University is looking into providing houses specifically for CIOs' events in the near future.
"If you're not a member of the IFC, you need to pay to hold your parties," Fifer said. "We want to provide these groups opportunities to have these parties without extravagant expenses.
"This is really a question of how the University can better provide opportunities for late-night and weekend programming activities."
One measure Fifer may bring up to Student Council is having the University provide security for CIOs' parties.
"What we're trying to do is make sure that student events can be safe," said Pat Lampkin, vice president for student affairs, who is working with Fifer on the propsal. Fifer said they have not developed any formal plans.
Lampkin said she is hopeful that the specifics of the funding proposal can be decided by the end of the week. They need to decide whether funds will come from the University or from Council and how groups will qualify for funding.
The Black Fraternal Council, which is not barred from renting IFC houses under its recent resolution, would benefit from funding.
BFC Co-Chairman Kevin Stokes said the group would not use the money for social reason, only to support its philanthropic events.
Fifer and Lampkin both said the proposal could alleviate concerns among some students that Charlottesville police treat predominantly black parties differently than IFC parties. They hope that if police already are present at parties, they will be more confident in the security of the party and less likely to intervene.
Charlottesville Police shut down a party sponsored by black sorority Delta Sigma Theta Sept. 29. Some students accused the police of racial profiling.
However, Lampkin noted that an off-duty police officer was present at the party.
Stokes said the new security proposal only will help prevent perceived racial profiling if Charlottesville Police are willing to work BFC parties.
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