Lieutenant Joe Audino of Public Safety opened the meeting with an explanation of the goals of the task force. “We are not focusing on fraternities,” he said, explaining that the first arrests at RPI were members of the men’s and women’s hockey team. “We can’t stop this only through education or enforcement,” he said. “It has to be a combination of both.”

The task force was formed last spring to counter what was seen as a growing problem in this area. At the meeting, District Attorney Patricia DeAngelis spoke about the problems that accompany alcohol abuse, including violence, sexual assault, and crime. She told the assembly that Troy is a dangerous area even when sober, and it is not wise to move about when under the influence.

One of the main objectives of the non-students at the meeting was to dismiss the idea that fraternities and sororities at RPI are being targeted by the task force. “We’re not targeting,” said Assistant District Attorney Andrew Martin. “It’s not an RPI problem, it’s not a fraternity or sorority problem. What we’re talking about is accountability of actions.”

Many of the community and RPI officials who attended the meeting thought that it was a success and were pleased with the way it unfolded. “Although at times it appeared adversarial,” Audino said, “we had some good conversations. This is a good beginning step for people to get together and brainstorm.”

Mark Smith, dean of students, had similar feelings, but also some disappointments. “I think the importance of something like this should be campus wide,” he said, referring to the lack of non-greek students. “But while it was not intended to be greek, they are visible as entities.”

Fraternity members, however, were not as enthusiastic about the meeting. “It was a good opportunity for students and greeks to hear that they aren’t targeting frats,” said Jeff Andritz, president of the Interfraternity Council. “But they weren’t as receptive as they could have been. Students don’t follow the law to the letter, but they were looking for a step in the right direction.”

Andritz said his plan for the next few weeks is to tour the fraternities on campus with members of public safety and try to address the concerns of every member, rather than just what the president hears and relays to the board. The issue was also brought up at the meeting of the Alumni Inter-Greek Council this past weekend. Andritz said that the alumni were very interested in helping develop plans of action, including limiting how alcohol is distributed and coordinating dry parties.