A recent history of Greek house sanctions at WSU reveals evidence of an underage drinking problem, but houses that follow set policies show a community focused on supporting their student members.

Lyndsie Wright, Panhellenic president for the 13 residential sorority houses, said the Office of Student Standards and Accountability (OSSA) expects Greek members, like all students, to drink responsibly, follow the law, follow their resident’s policies, and understand the consequences for university, national and international policy violations.

“We discuss issues that may arise, things to make the community progressive, and ways to stay cohesive as a group,” she said. “Panhellenic helps facilitate large scale events and promote sisterhood in the community as a whole.”

At WSU, all sororities and most fraternities are dry, meaning they do not allow any alcohol or drugs on their property regardless of age.

However, incidences involving houses in the last few years show that Greeks still face challenges with alcohol and drug-related violations.

In 2008, the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity lost university recognition after an investigation confirmed the use and distribution of controlled substances, providing alcohol to minors, holding an unregistered event, and working without a live-in adviser, according to a WSU news release.

Then, Pi Beta Phi sorority lost their university recognition in February 2012 after investigations revealed evidence of hazing and underage drinking, according to an article in The Daily Evergreen.

“Underage drinking and hazing is something we absolutely cannot tolerate,” Huskey said in an interview after the Conduct Board released the 2012 decision. “Whenever there is a situation of hazing we need to act quickly because that is very harmful.”

Jami Harrison, assistant director for Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life (CFSL), said fraternities and sororities are required to follow the law when serving alcohol, just like any other group.

“If chapters wanted to have a social function with alcohol, it would need to be at a third-party location or at an individual’s house with a third-party vendor and all the proper licensing to serve alcohol in the state of Washington,” Harrison said.

The only way for alcohol to be allowed in a chapter house is in the room of someone 21 years or older, behind a closed door and only if the chapter allows alcohol on the property, she said.

Bob Cady, owner of The Coug bar in Pullman and a fraternity adviser, said people who don’t know the neighborhood may easily think everyone is partying all the time. Fraternities and sororities may throw parties, but this perception of Greek life comes from unfamiliarity with Greek culture and regulations.

Cady said in comparison to other campus communities like apartments, Greek life is close, social and supportive.

Chapters in the Greek community have guidelines to follow that fall under WSU’s policies on alcohol. Harrison said these guidelines require all social events at a chapter house be alcohol-free, and off-property functions to have a third-party vendor serving any alcohol providing security and verifying legal age.

The Office of Student Standards decides on discipline based on the behavior of the house involved. The sanction could be anything from a warning to probation. Extreme cases, such as hazing and alcohol infractions, could mean the loss of university recognition.

Madison Stumpf, the activities director for Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, said the Greek community works closely with the Pullman Police Department.

“Once a year they come in and explain the laws, informing us about what aspects we need to be aware of,”Stumpf said.

However, she said they organize more social events like ice cream socials and pumpkin carvings and invite other chapters. The community values helping members become better men and women.

“Living in the house creates a safe space for our members,” Stumpf said, “a space where they are surrounded by people that hold them to a higher standard.”