One violent night at University of Alabama fraternity houseslast month prompted school officials there to change their securitypolicies.
Three unrelated incidents were reported at three different Greekresidences the night of Sept. 11, one a stab in the head that leftits victim in a coma, according to a Sept. 20 article in theBirmingham News. The other two resulted in second-degree assaultcharges.
University of Alabama officials responded by requiring securitydetail at all on-campus parties. said Alabama Assistant Dean ofStudents Todd Borst.
“Right now we are in the process of revamping social eventregulations,” Borst said. “All groups are required to have auniformed private or off-duty policeman at their events. They arealso required to have a 21-year-old person not affiliated with thechapter to serve as door person.
Borst said all three incidents occurred after events at thehouses were over.
Requiring security is a measure already in place at LSU,according to Victor Felts, LSU assistant dean of students and GreekAffairs director.
Felts said all student organizations sponsoring late-nightparties are required to provide security guards at theirevents.
“According to our policy, you have to go through LSUPD,” Feltssaid. “If it’s a game day and all the officers are committedelsewhere, LSUPD can allow you to use [a private service].”
Loftin Security Service is the alternative to LSUPD security,but some say their service is less than satisfactory.
Garrett Chasee, vice-president of administration for theInterfraternity Council and member of Theta Xi fraternity, said hischapter was pleased with the security provided by LSUPD, but hadbad experiences with Loftin. He said one guard “bent the rules” andmay have let some of his own friends enter a party he attended.
“LSUPD seems to have more of a vested interest in what’shappening,” he said.
Scott Caire, president of Pi Kappa Alpha, said LSUPD referredhim to Loftin “nine out of 10 times.”
Chasee said uniformed security guards usually check foridentification and hand out bracelets at the door during parties.In addition, active members of the fraternity stand at the door tosee that all guests have been invited.
“I don’t think the security is too effective,” Caire said. “Theyjust stand outside and all they carry is Mace.”
But, Caire said they had never had any violent incidents as aresult of poor security.
“We monitor ourselves as well,” he said. “We have one of our ownmembers at the door to make sure we let the right people in.”