Alcohol Free Housing

The alcohol-dominated culture on college campuses seems to be incubated in organizational settings such as athletic teams, fraternities, sororities and other organizations that stress "teamwork."

Washburn University is committed to be part of the solution and not part of the problem; therefore, we are committed to:

  • Providing an environment more conducive to academic achievement
  • Providing safer - and cleaner - living facilities
  • Reducing liability insurance costs

College fraternities and sororities were all founded with one goal in mind: to mentor men and women into becoming better individuals. All fraternities and sororities are based on the same principles of friendship, leadership, scholarship, community service and high standards of conduct.

Alcohol-free housing is available in the Washburn Greek system. Three fraternities and all three sororities have alcohol-free facility policies. Many also maintain smoke-free houses. Under these policies, members do not consume alcohol or smoke on chapter property.

Providing alcohol-free housing does not mean its members do not drink. Alcohol-Free Hazing chapters hold social functions at other locations where alcohol is legally available from a "third-party vendor" (e.g., bars, dance clubs, hotels, or other special event locations). Since the organization holds these types of events elsewhere, the chapter house is cleaner, nicer, and a quieter educational-living facility.

Some will argue pros and cons on both sides of this issue, and that is fine. Individual policies on this issue vary from chapter to chapter. As a result, there is a wide range of choices in living conditions available to students.

Regardless of individual alcohol-free housing policies held by each fraternity or sorority, all organizations are required to follow Kansas state laws governing distribution and consumption of alcohol. To honor these laws and reduce the risk of its members, all fraternities and sororities have comprehensive risk management policies that are dictated from each organization's insurance company. These policies are generally derived from a form of guidelines called FIPG.

Additional Hazing Related Resources

"Living with Alcohol-Free Housing: A Guide to Implementing and Maintaining an Alcohol-Free Environment" (24 pages, PDF format)

"Living Greek, Living Dry; Some Fraternities Say Banning Alcohol in Houses Can Help Them Get Back to their Core Values -- Fellowship and Leadership" (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 17, 2004)

Alcohol-Free Housing Initiative

University of Missouri's Research Initiative about Alcohol-Free Housing

Harvard's School of Public Health "College Alcohol Study"

The Century Council - Dedicated to Fighting Drunk Driving and Underage Drinking

The Bacchus/Gamma Peer Network - Dedicated to the Need for Alcohol Awareness and Abuse Prevention on College Campuses

"Substance-Free Living Reduces Heavy Drinking in College Students" (Related Article)

GET IN TOUCH WITH Student Involvement & Development

Office of Student Involvement & Development
Main Level, Memorial Union
1820 SW Jewell Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621

Office Hours
Office Hours: 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
(after 5 p.m. by appointment)
Staff Info

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