As part of the Interfraternity Council’s new alcohol policy, MU’s fraternity houses will now be subject to audits by a third-party security firm.
Signal 88 has been hired to carry out the audits. The company has been working with several fraternities for the past three years, which Signal 88 President Matt Nichols said lead to a deal with IFC.
Audits will occur randomly three times per month and can happen on any day of the week.
“Every day is completely random,” Nichols said. “We’re in communication with the IFC (Executive) Board and have guidelines, but no house has any idea when we’re coming.”
Junior Drew Smith, a member of Beta Sigma Psi, said he believes the element of surprise will lead to responsible alcohol management within fraternity houses.
“I think (the new policy) will be effective because it’s random and no one will know,” Smith said. “People will be more cautious.”
Seven houses have been approved to have alcohol: Acacia, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Gamma Rho, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, Lambda Chi and Phi Kappa Theta. In order to become approved, a chapter must meet an annual accreditation and be proficient in four categories: academics, risk management, member development and conduct.
According to the IFC website, all chapter houses will be searched regardless of their alcohol-approved status.
Once an auditor arrives, he or she will make contact with someone from the chapter contact list, who will then escort the auditor around the property. The auditor will search for alcohol compliance, as well as any safety risks, Nichols said.
The auditors may only enter closed rooms if he or she has reason to believe someone is in danger and in need of help, or if given permission by the room’s resident or the chapter’s president, according to the IFC website.
Smith said he believes the new rules will lead to a difference in parties at fraternity houses.
“I don’t think there will be a lot of people on the main floors and in the common area,” Smith said. “It’s just going to be confined to private rooms since they’re not allowed to go in there.”
Auditors also reserve the right to check IDs of any guest or current member of the fraternity being audited.
The new policy mirrors the law and only allows guests and members who are over the age of 21 to drink in approved houses. Additionally, communal sources of alcohol, grain alcohol and drinking games will not be allowed in any house.
Any violations discovered by an auditor will be documented and sent to the IFC exec board.
After the first violation in a semester, the chapter will be required to submit a report to the IFC president and vice president of risk management outlining what internal actions will be taken in response to the violation, according to the IFC website.
Any subsequent violations will be forwarded to Greek Student Conduct.
