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The President’s Council and the legislative body of the Interfraternity Council at Michigan State University have voted to ban all alcohol above 15% ABV from fraternity houses and events. The vote was passed on Wednesday, October 10.
The MSU decision to ban hard liquor comes after the North American Interfraternity Council enacted a plan in August to eliminate hard alcohol in facilities of over 6,100 charters on 800 campuses nationwide by September 1, 2019.
However, the ban does not apply to situations when the alcohol is served by licensed third-party vendors.
Greek life organizations that do not adhere to the ban could be fined, banned from hosting social events and could face further discipline from the Interfraternity Council.
The ban was explained in full on the Michigan State University Fraternity and Sorority Life’s Facebook page.
Trevor Coval, council president, told the State Journal on Friday afternoon the ban took effect Wednesday and does not apply to sororities because they are already prohibited to have any type of alcohol in facilities.
“This departure from hard alcohol at fraternity events marks a significant change in the culture at Michigan State,” the council’s letter reads in part.
“We firmly believe this change will strengthen our community, and demonstrates our ability to self-govern and take proactive measures to enhance the health and safety or our members and guests, while helping to ensure Fraternity & Sorority Life at Michigan State thrives for years to come.
The vote to ban hard liquor at Michigan State is just the latest alcohol ban that universities are enacting to curb alcohol-related deaths.
