Can you imagine hamburgers without ketchup, Batman without Robin, Phoenix without heat or fraternities without alcohol?
As of now, ASU doesn't want that last pairing to be mixed, and that just seems unnatural.
On Feb. 1, Greek Life coordinators met with leaders from the ASU chapters of seven fraternities, and notified them that alcohol was prohibited in their houses indefinitely.
Apparently the ban would be lifted once each fraternity submits something called an "alcohol risk-management plan." In the meantime, no one in the frat houses can consume any liquor even if the consumers are of legal age.
Ridiculous.
No matter the traditions they hold, connections their members make or good deeds they may perform, the main focus of nearly every fraternity in America is to have fun. Hosting parties is one of the chief ways to have a good time. And drinking, whether you think it's right or not, is what people do at parties. Taking this right away from frat houses should be seen as nothing less than a slap in the face.
Think banning alcohol at fraternity houses is unfair? Apparently, so do the fraternities.
According to the ASU Department of Public Safety, there has been no decrease in alcohol-related incidents on Alpha Drive, where the fraternities are located, since the ban went into effect. DPS Officer Mark Aston told The State Press that fraternities are simply making a greater effort not to get caught rather than observing the ban.
One fraternity member, business junior Emmanuel Ramos, even said the ban has caused other members to hit the bars more, therefore increasing the likelihood of drunk driving.
Apparently, ASU has never heard of the prohibition. Try to suddenly take away something people -- or frats -- have been used to for years (such as alcohol) and they will find a way to get it anyway, even if it's illegal. Realizing prohibition was a stupid law, our country had the sense to fix its mistake, and now it's time for ASU to do the same.
Alcohol-related hazing, binge drinking and drunk driving can all be unfortunate side effects of partying. But banning alcohol altogether in fraternities will not reduce these problems, as ASU DPS has already reported. There are already laws in place against these bad deeds, so how does taking away alcohol from all fraternity members, even the responsible ones, help the situation?
In case you're wondering, I'm not in, nor have I ever been in a frat. But what is being done to them is an injustice.
If ASU really sees fraternities' activities as a threat to the University, then it should have the guts to shut them down altogether. Although that would mean a national story, a public relations nightmare for the school and thousands of potential Greek students seeking another campus to attend.
As long as fraternities are following the law, ASU should just let them do their thing rather than trying to water them down and tame them into being something they're not.
Christopher Drexel is a journalism senior. Reach him at christopher.drexel@asu.edu.
