Dry Rush

The Fraternity Executives Association
Statement of Position

on Dry Rush

While the moderate and legal consumption of alcohol, in and of itself, does not constitute a problem, the illegal use and abuse of alcoholic beverages are widely recognized as major problems in our society. As members of society, particularly the higher education community, college fraternities are highly concerned about alcohol abuse. The Fraternity Executives Association, therefore, encourages the development of educational programs, which stress the potential dangers of alcohol abuse and the advantage of responsible, legal use of alcoholic beverages.

Since the period of member recruitment is the first substantive contact a prospective member has with fraternities, it is an important and appropriate point at which to begin to address fraternities' educational and brotherhood /sisterhood responsibilities among their members, as well as to speak to any adverse public opinion as to alcohol use and abuse among fraternities.

Based on the premise that the excessive and/or illegal use of alcohol to attract students to fraternity membership are counterproductive to introducing and developing true fraternity spirit, the Fraternity Executives Association believes that DRY RUSH:

• will attract a greater number of high quality rushees, and improve the retention ratio of new members;
  
• will enhance the fraternity movement on the campus and in the community;
  
• will enhance parental support of the fraternity membership;
  
• will foster creative competition among fraternity chapters;
  
• will develop more fully the recruitment and interpersonal skills of fraternity members;
  
• will diminish the risk of potential legal liability, property damage and violation of liquor laws;
  
• will save substantial sums of money.

The Fraternity Executives Association, therefore, states its support of Dry Rush for all college and university fraternity systems, and encourages interfraternity councils, college panhellenics, and member fraternities to move immediately toward the complete elimination of alcohol in recruitment programs.