ISC Mixing Policy

The mixing policy can be found in the ISC Standards of Conduct. It is Standard #7.

Why is the Mixing Policy important? 1.Closed parties between organizations have an increased risk of leading to very dangerous situations BECAUSE: 1.Having a closed party and limiting attendance establishes a false sense of safety and security. 2.In feeling safe, men and women begin to let their guards down and act recklessly. 3.This, in combination with unregulated alcohol, has a greatly increased risk of incidences of bodily harm, alcohol abuse, alcohol poisoning, drug use, and sexual assault.

The Mixing Policy: #7. Failing to comply with policies regarding social functions, including: There will be no alcohol at co-sponsored activities and/or mixers on fraternity property. Co-sponsored activity describes an activity in which there as been coordination of efforts between a sorority and another organization(s). This includes planning, funding, registrations, and or/the announcing of an event for the purpose of having attendance exclusive to the sponsoring groups. A mixer is a gathering of a sorority(ies) and another organization(s) where the event is co-sponsored and/or attendance is exclusive to the members of the sponsoring groups. Other organizations include, but are not limited to: fraternities, varsity sports teams, club sports teams, and other exclusively male CIOs. If a reasonable onlooker would consider the party to be a sorority mixer because of the people in attendance, then the party is considered a mixer. A mixer may include multiple sororities or multiple external organizations or a combination of both. An invite party is a non-co-sponsored gathering of individuals who have received written, tangible invitations from the sponsoring fraternity. A date function is a closed event sponsored by a sorority(ies) consisting of sisters of the sponsoring sorority(ies) and their invited guests.

So what does all that mean? Lets break it down…

A gathering of a sorority(ies) and another organization(s) where the event is co- sponsored and/or attendance is exclusive to the members of the sponsoring groups. Other organizations include, but are not limited to: fraternities, varsity sports teams, club sports teams, and other exclusively male CIOs. A mixer is defined as: This translates to: Any social event (party, pre-game, tailgate) that is EXCLUSIVE with a significant representation of one or more sororities. The presence of other women or sorority women does not negate the mixing policy. A mixer is not only with fraternities but sports (club and varsity) and clubs. For example: Lacrosse team, club swim, the Virginia Gentlemen

A mixer may include multiple sororities or multiple external organizations or a combination of both. Number of those involved: A mixer does not have to include one sorority. It can be with a specific pledge class or multiple sororities/fraternities. The key is if the event is exclusive. Mixers are still illegal if they are held at fraternity houses, club houses, satellite houses, sorority houses, etc. The only legal mixer can be held at a third party vendor (a bar or restaurant with someone to check IDs). This translates to:

And the key phrase… (so pay attention!)

If a reasonable onlooker would consider the party to be a sorority mixer because of the people in attendance, then the party is considered a mixer. if you remember anything, remember this:

Examples of illegal mixers:

Sorority Alpha and Sorority Beta have a pre-game with Fraternity ABC starting at 9pm before ABCs big holiday party at their house. The holiday party opens to the public at 11pm.

Sorority Alphas 4 th pledge class has a case race with the Virginia Gentlemen at Alphas satellite house.

A legal mixer is…

1.Social events that have absolutely NO alcohol involved. 1.(For example: BBQ and Paint-wars) 2.Closed mixers at a 3 rd party vendor (a restaurant or bar only) 3. Closed mixers at private property with paid security and that is registered with the ISC. 1. Paid security are hired bouncers and/ or licensed bartenders that are NOT current University students