Trinity University implemented the Safer Parties Initiative (SPIn) to keep its students safe. There are numerous actions Trinity students can take to compliment the policies of SPIn to preserve the health of themselves and others.
Austin Kitchens, senior business administration major with a concentration in management, is a member of the Phi Sigma Chi fraternity — one of seven fraternities at Trinity. He explained that his fraternity is known around campus for their parties and social events. With that, Phi Sigma Chi maintains safety precautions while hosting parties. Kitchens notes that the biggest safety precaution is ensuring there is no free-flowing alcohol.
“We need to control who is getting their hands on it so that we do not have alcohol poisoning,” Kitchens said. “If I am at the bar, I make sure I keep an eye on how everyone is acting when they come up to the bar, and I am staying sober as the bartender to make sure I can make that judgment call.”
In addition to the safe distribution of alcohol, Kitchens notes that Phi Sigma Chi aims to maintain the availability and readiness of sober monitors.
“We put up pictures with our phone numbers and what we look like and our names so that people can easily find us, and we will wear bright green overshirts,” Kitchens said.
Although SPIn does not mention the provision of water in the document, Kitchens clarifies that Phi Sigma Chi offers water to its partygoers anyway. The fraternity leaves the kitchen open with a sign, titled “clean sanitary water here,” pointing to the fridge.
“We have … red Solo cups that we put right next to [the fridge], and we replenish those as necessary. Typically the kitchen is not crowded, so it is easy to get access to water there,” Kitchens said.
Kitchens explains that at the door, members of the fraternity check all Trinity IDs. Further, designated fraternity members put big Xs on both hands if you are underage, and check for Xs at the bar. The Xs prevent alcohol from being served to minors.
“If we cannot readily see your hands, and you ask for a drink, we will ask you to see your hands. We do not take regular Texas IDs, you have to show us your Trinity ID because you cannot lie on that,” Kitchens said.
Liza Stickney, sophomore marketing major and member of the SPURS sorority, goes out on occasion. She believes that there can be a lot of pressure to attend parties, especially as a first-year student, but there are risks for all Trinity students to be wary of whilst attending parties.
“One of the biggest risks is getting roofied. You don’t think it happens that much but there are a lot of people that I know who have been roofied,” Stickney said.
To counter the risks of attending a frat party, Stickney believes that Trinity students should know who they are coming and leaving with ahead of time. She encourages students to have a plan and advises keeping an eye on your drink.
“You can’t even trust people to take care of your drink — only you should be able to hold on to your drink. Making sure that when you see the bartender serving the drinks, that it’s in a closed-off space and you know what you’re drinking,” Stickney said.
Stickney would appreciate full transparency on what is being served at every party she attends and increased alcohol safety precautions.
“Teers actually did this at their last party, where they had their alcohol completely separate from the party area — it was gated off so nobody could tamper with the alcohol,” Stickney said.
Evan Kola, senior economics major, is experienced in the party scene. He noted that fraternities on campus make sure they host an environment in which everyone can have fun and attempt to minimize the danger of attending parties.
“You can have fun as long as you know your limits,” Kola said. “You know that the [fraternities] throwing the party are watching and making sure you are okay so that you can have fun in a safe environment.”
While fraternities are subject to SPIn, these policies will not assure a Trinity student’s safety given the unpredictable and volatile nature of parties. Kitchens explains that accompanying trustworthy individuals to the party is the best course of action. Ultimately, the actions of an individual influences the safety of themselves and others.
