The most accessible drink at fraternity parties, without a doubt, is beer. However, there is currently a push to mandate the presence water coolers alongside the beer line at these parties. This initiative, led by ADAPT (Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team), would provide fraternities with a water cooler. In order for this to be made mandatory, it would have to be approved by the IFC Presidents' Council. Inter-Fraternity Council President Ryan Ewalt has indicated his support for this initiative, and he presented the idea to both the Presidents' Council and the Executive Board of the IFC.
This initiative is an opportunity to promote responsible drinking and dispel the perception that a fraternity party atmosphere isn't conducive to non-drinkers -- all with a relatively low cost to the fraternities themselves. The Presidents' Council should get behind this -- this is good policy, and approving this would show a willingness to address issues of alcohol abuse in the fraternity system.
Drinking for fun is one thing -- certainly, not many people would argue that there's a low demand for beer at fraternity parties. However, if partygoers are getting dehydrated, having beer as the most readily available drink isn't exactly a healthy situation.
Without water coolers, and with only beer readily available, asking for water is a social faux pas. Asking a fraternity brother -- who is being inundated with requests for alcohol from all sides -- to go to the nearest bathroom or kitchen sink will most likely draw dirty looks. And in a social setting where drinking is the norm, making it easier to ask for water would go a long way to encourage responsibility when drinking.
It's hard to imagine that the idea of putting water coolers in fraternity parties would draw much opposition. The only real concern with this initiative is whether it should be made mandatory, and by extention, a punishable offense. If the initiative goes through as proposed, a failure to make water accessible and visible, if coupled with another offense, could be sanctionable.
The arguments for making this mandatory are compelling. Alcohol abuse is a major issue at the University, and it's the responsibility of fraternities to create an atmosphere that promotes responsible drinking. Also, because it would be a decision by the Presidents' Council, it would essentially be an issue of self-policing.
The cost of this program wouldn't fall on fraternities, either. The water coolers would be provided by Social Norms, who have tentatively agreed to fund this project. The effort needed would be minimal by fraternities -- they would just need to make sure that the cooler doesn't run out of water.
There will always be students who drink too much at fraternity parties, and scoff at the thought of drinking water when there's perfectly good beer on hand. However, this mindset shouldn't define Greek activities and parties, and the IFC Presidents' Council can take one step toward ensuring it doesn't by giving its steadfast support to this initiative.
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