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LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Hard liquor will not be allowed at University of Kansas fraternity houses beginning this fall, according to a council that oversees the organizations.
The school's Interfraternity Council on Tuesday night voted to ban the presence or consumption of hard alcohol by fraternity or guests on fraternity property, the Lawrence Journal-World (http://bit.ly/1F7sSxD) reported.
The ban doesn't include beer or wine. It has an amnesty clause that encourages chapters to help anyone who needs medical assistance.
IFC president Chris Pyle said the council has been discussing ways to change the drinking culture within the fraternity community and to create healthier and safer environments.
"I am very proud of our fraternity presidents for having the courage to pass this policy in an effort to make fraternity houses a safer place for all KU students," Pyle said.
A few of the university's 23 fraternity chapters already are dry, while others have specific rules about when alcohol can be consumed.
Alumni of KU fraternities and sororities began discussing the hard alcohol issue last fall and suggested a ban earlier this spring, said David Steen, Housing Corporation president for the KU chapter of Kappa Sigma fraternity. The idea was strongly supported by sorority members and met with mixed reviews by fraternity men during a meeting between alumni and current students in March, Steen said.
He and other fraternity alumni congratulated current members for approving the hard alcohol ban.
The council, which has meetings not open to the public, also announced on Wednesday the creation of a peer education program to address sexual violence within the Greek community
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Information from: Lawrence (Kan.) Journal-World, http://www.ljworld.com
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