Local News in Brief : USC Fraternities to Restrict Alcohol

Starting next fall, fraternities at USC will not be able to use chapter funds to buy alcohol and the legal drinking age will be more strictly enforced, university officials announced. However, party guests who are 21 or older still will be allowed to bring liquor, beer and wine to parties on Fraternity Row.

Sixteen of USC’s 25 fraternities have adopted such a drinking policy and the others will have to follow by September. The change followed complaints about noisy parties and fears about liabilities connected to drunk driving.

Ken Taylor, USC’s director of Greek life, dismissed fears that the new rules will kill social life, but added that a different kind of student might join the clubs as a result. “The hard partyers won’t pledge, but many students who don’t want to rush now may with the new policy,” he said.