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Presidents, Risk Managers, Social Chairs, Brothers of the California State University, Northridge Greek System,

Before we start, lets clearly define what risk management is. Risk management isn’t living in a bubble, not going outside, and staying away from people because of germs. The idea of RM is to make proper, mainly common sense decisions on a regular basis to reduce unnecessary liability. For example, although an open party sounds like it could be larger and more fun than a closed party, limiting the guest list to invite only can prevent problems such as excessive intoxication by randoms, guests with minimal respect for your fraternity and your policies, and conflicts between brothers and outside guys.

The following are cliff notes for the 19 specifications mandated by our national insurance carrier as how to manage risk.

1. Any fraternity event involving alcohol is to follow the law and either use BYOB or Third Party Vendor.
2. No alcohol is to be purchased with chapter funds or for the chapter. Kegs and cases that can distribute mass amounts of alcohol are not permitted.
3. Open parties where anybody has access where there is alcohol is not permitted.
4. No members, collectively or individually, shall purchase for, serve to, or sell alcoholic beverages to any minor.
5. Possession, sale, distribution, and use of drugs at fraternity events are not permitted.
6. No chapter may co-sponsor an event with an alcohol distributor or tavern (tavern defined as an establishment generating more than half of annual gross sales from alcohol) at which alcohol is given away, sold or otherwise provided to those present. This includes any event held in, at or on the property of a tavern as defined above for purposes of fundraising. However, a chapter may rent or use a room or area in a tavern as defined above for a closed event held within the provisions of this policy, including the use of a third party vendor and guest list. An event at which alcohol is present may be conducted or co-sponsored with a charitable organization if the event is held within the provisions of this policy.
7. No chapter may co-sponsor, co-finance or attend or participate in a function at which alcohol is purchased by any of the host chapters, groups or organizations.
8. Rush is dry.
9. Nobody at any fraternity function can participate in drinking games as defined as consuming alcohol under duress or through encouragement.
10. Alcohol is not to be present during a pledge program.
11. No chapter is to participate in hazing defined as, any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.
12. The fraternity will not tolerate or condone any form of sexist or sexually abusive behavior on the part of its members, whether physical, mental or emotional, anytime, anywhere.
13. The employment or use of strippers, exotic dancers or similar, whether professional or amateur, at a fraternity event as defined in this policy is prohibited.
14. All chapter houses should meet all local fire and health codes and standards.
15. All chapters should post by common phones and in other locations emergency numbers for fire, police and ambulance and should have posted evacuation routes on the back of the door of each sleeping room.
16. All chapters should comply with engineering recommendations as reported by the insurance company or municipal authorities.
17. The possession and/or use of firearms or explosive or incendiary devices of any kind within the confines and premises of the chapter house is prohibited.
18. Candles should not be used in chapter houses or individual rooms except under controlled circumstances such as initiation.
19. The chapter must be instructed in risk management policy annually.

Source: http://www.fipg.org/FIPG/FIPG.nsf/835fe7d91217664d8525723c007a7545/9c0d3c4d4ca5614e8525734b007b08a4/$FILE/FIPG Policy July 2008.pdf

I’d like to make a clear distinction between the policy and what actually happens and how we can work together minimize risk. The reality is: chapters decide which policies to follow, which to take into consideration, and which to ignore. Being the CSUN IFC GAMMA Chair, a professional security consultant, and having attended many Greek events, I’ve had the privilege of meeting, comparing, and discussing various chapter policies from schools around the United States regarding many of the guidelines outlined above. There are several policies that are nearly universally ignored including the purchasing and consumption of alcohol for parties, pledging and drinking games, drug use, and overtly haze. Occasionally, I come across chapters that cosponsor events with bars, taverns, or nightclubs, use exotic dancers, and ignore ongoing instruction on risk management. Rarely do chapters intentionally or unintentionally sexually harass women, and not meet various codes.

The reason I make a clear distinction between policy and reality is because RM is about making good and relevant choices. More potentially hazardous activities need to be managed to a greater extent than more basic risks, particularly if the first stage in management is a warning. The purpose of this post is to share the different ways you and your chapter have dealt with RM issues such as alcohol, hazing, drinking games, drug use, harassment, etc. Please post positive solutions to share in the hopes we will all make the CSUN Greek environment a safer one.

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Jeffrey Zisner
CSUN IFC GAMMA 2009
AEGIS Consultants™
Security, Investigation, Training and Policy Solutions
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www.aegisconsultants.net

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