Some fraternity alumni said there should be an exception to the alcohol policy for alumni who want to drink in their fraternity houses before home football games.



"Essentially what we would like to see is a refinement of the alcohol policy," said Zach Allen, president of the housing corporation for Beta Theta Pi fraternity.



Before the implementation of the new alcohol policy last January, many fraternities provided alcohol to their alumni at functions held in the fraternity houses on home football game days. The functions are not allowed under the new alcohol policy.



This is the first football season since the alcohol policy was created, said Eddie Edwards, chairman of the board of trustees of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. It has become an issue this year, because alumni traditionally congregate and drink at the fraternity houses on game days.



"They like to get together and have a cocktail with their old friends," he said.



This year, the number of alumni attending the events has dropped significantly, primarily because alumni can no longer drink, Allen said.



Traditionally, 400 to 500 alumni came by the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house before each game, Edwards said. This year, that number has dropped by 30 to 40 percent, he said.



The number of Beta Theta Pi alumni coming to the house on game days has dropped by about 50 percent, from about 200, Allen said.



The lower attendance can affect fraternities financially, Edwards said. Fraternities raise funds for their houses through alumni donations. He said fundraising events need to serve alcohol in order to be successful.



Last summer, some alumni sent a letter to Boren protesting the part of the alcohol policy that affected fraternity alumni, said Clarke Stroud, vice president for Student Affairs.



Alumni from 10 of the 18 Interfraternity Council fraternities signed the letter, Edwards said.



The administration's response was very clear, Stroud said.



"The houses are dry, no matter who is drinking," he said.



Boren suggested alternative times for alumni events, such as during Christmas break, Edwards said. This is not desirable to alumni because they want to come back to the house when the active members are there, he said.


Some fraternities never served alcohol at their events, so the policy does not affect them.
Delta Upsilon fraternity alumni functions were dry before the new alcohol policy, said Rodine Richard, member of the Delta Upsilon corporate board.



"Generally, we're very fine with the dry policy," he said. "It's not a problem for our alumni. For alumni events, we're willing to support the university."



Most fraternity alumni agree with all aspects of the alcohol policy, said Jeremy Black, Interfraternity Council adviser. The fraternity alumni who oppose the alumni aspect are a small, isolated group, he said.



He said he has spoken to several fraternity alumni who are pleased with the policy.



"For us, it's been a good thing. We can see the benefits of no alcohol in the (Sigma Phi Epsilon) house," said Tim Lewis, Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter counselor.



Alumni from both Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Beta Theta Pi said they agree with the policy as it regards active members, but they disagree with the administration's treatment of alumni.



"The purpose of the alcohol policy is not to eliminate drinking altogether," Allen said. "The purpose is to curb irresponsible and underage drinking. Our alumni are all of legal age."



There are no plans for any future changes to the alcohol policy, Stroud said.



Some fraternity alumni are still working for change by discussing the policy with OU officials, Edwards said.



"Our intention is to continue to keep (OU) informed of how the policy is being implemented and developed as it applies to us," Allen said.
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