Picnic Day basics: Make it fun for everyone

By Julia Ann Easley

Fraternity and sorority leaders are pledging again — this time "to promote a healthy and safe environment" on Picnic Day, which takes place Saturday (April 21).

As of midweek, the presidents of 51 of the 75 Greek organizations represented at UC Davis had signed the covenant in an effort to ensure a successful 98th Picnic Day.

Alcohol-related problems, mostly in the city's downtown and after the daytime event ends, have marred the event in recent years.

The new covenant builds on the Greeks' actions last year that earned the praise of the city and university police departments and campus administration for reducing problem behavior. And it follows the 2011 introduction of a covenant under which Davis businesses that serve or sell alcohol pledged to follow responsible hospitality practices.

No alcohol is served or permitted on campus on Picnic Day.

Chernin

"There are a lot of negative stereotypes associated with the Greek system and Picnic Day," said Matt Chernin, president of the Interfraternity Council, the governing body of 22 fraternities at UC Davis. "The covenant demonstrates that we're doing our part to make it a fun and safe day for everyone," said the senior from Lafayette, who is majoring in animal science and history.

The new covenant calls on Greeks to be responsible party hosts through such actions as providing food and alcohol-free beverages (in the event the hosts are also serving alcohol), not serving alcohol before noon, and refraining from drinking games.

The practices are in keeping with the Safe Party Initiative, a collaboration of the city of Davis and UC Davis to reduce problems associated with alcohol use by college students at parties in Davis. The initiative focuses on creating safer party environments, building a sense of community among students and neighbors, and increasing enforcement of alcohol-related laws and policies.

Those who signed the Greek covenant have agreed to:

• Comply with all legal obligations, including not permitting alcohol consumption by people under 21 or those who are intoxicated.
• Refrain from serving or providing alcohol before noon.
• Refrain from activities or drinking games that encourage overconsumption and intoxication.
• Provide food if alcohol is served.
• Provide alcohol-free beverages if alcohol is served.
• Refrain from using alcohol-themed materials that promote Picnic Day as a “drinking” or “partying” event.
• Provide adequate supervision and security.
• Encourage departing guests to travel safely by using designated drivers or taking taxis.
• Encourage an atmosphere that facilitates positive interactions and provides activities other than drinking.
• Ensure music or live entertainment complies with the Davis noise ordinance.
• Encourage responsible drinking along with awareness of the risks associated with alcohol consumption, including activities and situations that might result in harm, injury or death.

"The fraternities and sororities are really taking to heart the idea of being a strong example to the rest of the student population," said Joaquin Feliciano, Greek life coordinator at UC Davis.

Last year, Feliciano said, more Greek organizations chose not to host parties, and many of those that did kept them in their back yards or inside. The Davis Police Department and the UC Davis Police Department praised Chernin's fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon, for seeking police aid when the TKE event threatened to get out of hand.

Greeks are also planning to chip in after Picnic Day. Kevyn Lewis, president of the campus chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, is spearheading a Greek cleanup effort on campus and in downtown Davis the morning after Picnic Day. Last year, more than 100 Greeks helped collect trash; as of Monday, more than 340 students from 28 fraternities and sororities had signed up for this year.

About 1,130 men and 1,570 women, or 11 percent of undergraduates, belong to UC Davis fraternities and sororities.

Communitywide efforts

Last year, more than 60 of about 100 Davis establishments that serve or sell alcohol signed a public pledge to follow 13 "responsible hospitality practices," and all Davis establishments are being asked make the pledge this year as well.

In addition, the city of Davis has expanded its special safety enhancement zone where fines are doubled for specific violations on Picnic Day weekend. Targeted activities include violations of noise and open container ordinances, urinating in public and smoking where banned.

The expansion took in the neighborhoods just north of the campus, between Anderson Road and A Street, and Eighth Street and Russell Boulevard. The zone already included downtown: an area bounded by A Street on the west and the railroad tracks on the east, Eighth Street on the north and First Street on the south.