Daily Collegian - Fraternities OK with dancer ban

The definite ban on exotic dancer poles and Jell-O wrestling pits does not appear to have fraternity affiliates kiwi-strawberry red with anger.

"If a chapter feels they need to hire exotic dancers to attract men, then I feel they need to mature," Sigma Lambda Beta President Richy Echegaray said.

The clause, announced in the Jan. 17 president's council meeting, was added to deter fraternities from attempting to slink through a perceived loophole in the Constitution of the Interfraternity Council.

Originally only implied, the new revision explicitly outlaws lewd acts such as exotic dancing, stripping, prostituting and Jell-O wrestling.

Vice President of Standards Stephen Hulick said the ban is effective immediately, and he expects fraternities who have already hired exotic dancers for spring events to cancel their bookings.

"I know some guys will lose some money, but they knew well before they scheduled that we would step up enforcement," he said.

Robert Blumstein, president of Theta Chi fraternity, 523 S. Allen St., said he sided with the purpose of the ban.

"We don't want to see the girls portrayed negatively," he said. "The guys shared a pretty positive attitude."

However, Blumstein said the majority of positive reactions could be a result of presidents with differing opinions remaining mum.

Hulick said the ban will be enforced by current social monitors who check out rush functions.

"The fraternities turn in recruiting calendars [of rush events], and nights that are scheduled for 'live entertainment' " are suspicious, Hulick said, adding that the social monitors are also watchful of fraternities notorious of such activities.

Offending chapters would be immediately directed to a session with Fraternity and Sorority Life with sanctions ranging from probation to fines, Hulick said.

Alpha Chi Omega sorority member Lindsay Foster said she believes IFC is overstepping its boundaries and is increasingly restricting customary greek activities.

"This year has been really overwhelming and upsetting," Foster said. "Although strippers are kind of vulgar, they're still tradition."

Larry Nagle, president of Red Zone Enterprises Inc., which owns and operates The End Zone, said his "No. 1" priority is upholding the wishes of the university.

"We want to follow the rules, and my God, if it's in the rules, you can be assured there will not be dancers from The End Zone [at rush events]," he said.