Leaders of fraternities and sororities at the University of California, Davis, are pledging again — this time to ensure a successful Picnic Day, the campus’s annual open house. The student-run event, which draws upwards of 75,000 people, takes place Saturday, April 21.

The Greek leaders are signing a covenant "to promote a healthy and safe environment" for Picnic Day, which has been marred by alcohol-related problems in recent years, mostly in the city's downtown and after the daytime event ends. To date, presidents of 51 of the 75 Greek organizations represented at UC Davis have signed.

Now in its 98th year, Picnic Day will feature about 200 activities including a parade, musical performances, educational exhibits, tours, a children's fair, sporting contests and animal events.

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. It also follows the introduction for Picnic Day 2011 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.

"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's 10 points call on Greeks to be responsible party hosts through such actions as providing food and alcohol-free beverages when they serve 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 those 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; and
• 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 backyards or inside their houses. The city of Davis Police Department and UC Davis Police Department praised Chernin's fraternity, Tau Kappa Epsilon, for seeking police aid when its 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 they are being asked to do so again this year.

In other developments, the city of Davis expanded the special safety enhancement zone that doubles fines for specific violations on Picnic Day weekend. Targeted activities include violations of noise and open container ordinances, urinating in public and smoking where banned.

Bordered by Eighth Street to the north, the railroad tracks on the east, and First Street to the south, the enhancement zone’s perimeter jogs north on A Street, runs west along Russell Boulevard and heads north along Anderson Road.