The specifics have been worked out on last semester's plan to provide detail officers for on-campus parties, and fraternities and other organizations are being asked to register their events starting next Friday. Two detail officers will be provided on each weekend night in an effort to balance the student discontent with the social scene with the administration's concern with liability for what happens at fraternity parties.
Having detail officers at weekend events will add new life to the social scene because officers will be less likely to shut parties if they know they are under control, according to Dean of Students Bruce Reitman. The detail officers is to communicate with the hosts of parties throughout the evening to ensure the safety of the students in attendance and will inspect locations for violations beforehand.
"It's more of a cooperative venture," Dean of Students Bruce Reitman said. "It's not replacing the hosts' responsibilities or liabilities by having the police step in. It's the police working with the hosts to make sure there is ongoing communication and feedback so none of the small things build up to be dramatic enough for closure."
For every event registered with the Tufts University Police Department (TUPD), the host and the detail officer sign a contract which states that both parties will work with each other throughout the evening to provide a safe environment for the students, which should result in a longer duration of parties.
The detail officers will also ensure that the host has an organized plan for controlling the party through measures such as checking identification at the door. There are also plans to begin using bracelets to identify minors at parties, but these have not been finalized.
The plan was put together by numerous student groups and administrative offices, including Inter-Greek Council (IGC), the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Senate, the Committee on Fraternities and Sororities, the Department of Public Safety, and the Dean of Students office. Leaders of Greek organizations have responded positively to the idea of having detail officers.
"I really want to stress that this is not a school trying to exert an increased influence on the students," said Robert Greene, president of 123 and the Inter-Fraternity Council. "I think this is an honest effort from the administration to maintain a healthy social life on campus."
"This is totally endorsed enthusiastically by the Inter-Greek Council," Reitman said. "I think that with their enthusiasm they can sell it to the chapters."
While registering parties is optional, those behind the plan feel that the benefits of doing so will entice fraternities to comply. Police will continue to shut down parties that have not been registered if they feel they get out of control. Police will also not be allowed to enter the houses they are patrolling during their parties unless they have probable cause.
"The fact that it's optional and not forced is a good thing," TCU Senate vice-president Eric Greenberg said
Greene said that he hopes having detail officers will cause fraternities to be used more as an outlet to be with friends, dance, and listen to music, and not for drinking. "I think it's more or less a restoration to an old-school fraternity party," Greene said. "I think the reason why people go to fraternities is for the atmosphere."
However, he acknowledged that, while detail officers may help cut down on the underage drinking that occurs in fraternities, they will have little effect on what goes on in the dorms or in other places on campus.
Even though police details are not yet in effect, fraternities feel their parties have been more controlled in recent weeks, according to former IGC vice-president Louis Reines.
"It gives the Greek scene a good image as we go into rush," he said.
