As part of an ongoing program to educate MIT undergraduates about the dangers of alcohol abuse, former Pennsylvania judge Mitch Crane and other experts will speak to fraternity members and other students at Kresge Auditorium on Saturday, March 14 from 12:30-4pm. The theme of the program will be "Alcohol--Its Impact on the Living Group and Its Residents."
By attending the event, MIT students may fulfill two requirements of the Interfraternity Council (IFC) certification policy for events where alcohol is present (though no alcohol may be purchased with house funds). These requirements are: (1) two-thirds of house members must attend a program that covers alcohol physiology, emergency alcohol medical response, and safe alcohol use, and (2) the president, social chairs and risk manager from each house must attend a legal liability education program.
The IFC Alcohol Certification Policy also requires that one-third of house members learn TIPS guidelines (Training and Intervention Procedures) on how to serve alcohol responsibly and that at least two house members be certified in CPR. IFC certification must be renewed each year.
Judge Crane, an attorney and a Pennsylvania official of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, will discuss legal ramifications and strategies at 12:30 pm. Mr. Crane teaches a course on legal liability for administrators at West Chester State University in Pennsylvania and has conducted seminars at more than 100 colleges and universities.
Ron Fleming, director of the Medical Department's personal assistance program, will talk about physiological effects and social aspects at 1:45pm. The third speaker, Dr. Robert Deloian, president of the Phi Delta Theta national council, will speak at 3pm on the positive effect PDK's alcohol-free housing strategy has had on membership recruitment. PDK has declared that its chapters will be substance-free by the year 2000.
The event, open to the public, is sponsored by the Alumni Interfraternity Council (AIFC) and the Office of Residence and Campus Activities.
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on March 11, 1998.
