Troy

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is going dry, at least to a greater extent than before. The school has adopted an alcohol-free policy for dormitories as well as fraternities and sororities, which comes amid an almost year-long crackdown on Greek life.

The school's new policy was noted in a recent newsletter. “As the large majority of our undergraduate students are not of legal age to purchase, possess, or consume alcohol, the updated policy prohibits the possession of alcoholic beverages at Institute-owned, controlled, or affiliated residential facilities that house undergraduate students, including Greek organizations with housing,” stated the letter.

“Student organizations, including Greeks, may continue to host events at which alcoholic beverages are served, with Institute approval. Approved, licensed third-party vendors must serve the alcoholic beverages and the event must be held at a location away from chapter houses and residential facilities either on campus, or at the location of the approved third-party vendor.”

The note also said organizations and individuals who violate the new policy will be subject to disciplinary actions. Organizations like Greek houses can face two years' worth of sanctions.

“The updated policy does not mean that alcohol is not allowed anywhere on campus,” RPI spokesman Reeve Hamilton noted in an email. “It is now prohibited in ‘Institute-owned, controlled, or affiliated residential facilities that house undergraduate students.’ ”

Graduate students who are 21 or older can still have alcohol in their rooms, according to the school’s policy.

RPI isn’t the only school with restrictions. Colleges and universities generally have policies that, at a minimum, note that they should adhere to state and local laws.

At the University at Albany, for instance, there is no alcohol allowed in freshman dorms. And alcohol served at events must be done so under the license and supervision of a designated caterer and it’s limited to the event location.

Siena College's policy also stresses the illegality of underage drinking and there are bans on items such as beer kegs “rapid consumption” devices like funnels or beer bongs.

The RPI policy is being viewed as the latest move on what has been a nearly year-long tightening of rules for Greek houses after reports of alcohol and sex abuse emerged from some of the residences.

The crackdown also led to other changes such as the delaying until second semester the time at which freshman can join fraternities or sororities.

Members of Greek houses had been planning a march and demonstration to protest that policy on April 12 but it was canceled.

Members of fraternities and sororities say the delay makes it more difficult to recruit members and could cost them more than $1 million a year. Greek houses also are opposing a ban on students residing in fraternities or sororities during the new summer Arch program. Under that, students remain on campus during the summer after sophomore year and take courses.

They then take a semester off the next year for internships or similar projects.

While keeping the dorms full year-round, the Greek houses say the plan deprives them of summer income and they note that they could provide lower cost housing.

It wasn’t immediately clear why the April 12 demonstration was cancelled.

RPI’s new alcohol policy begins on May 19, according to campus documents.

rkarlin@timesunion.com • 518-454-5758 • @RickKarlinTU