USC&A - Fraternity and Sorority Life Virginia Commonwealth University

 The purpose of this module is to provide fraternity and sorority members that live in off-campus residences together with information on how to be good neighbors.

 It is great to be out on your own and living in your own place.  It gives you the opportunity to set your own hours and come and go as you please.  It also lets you experience life on you

 It is important to take the time to introduce yourself to your neighbors and let them know who you are in case you need help or a problem arises.  In addition it gives you and them the opportunity to put a face with a name.  It may not always be easy to do this face to face so dropping a letter or a note off is another way that you can accomplish this as well.

 Think about your organization?  If your having a social event where is it most likely going to occur?  Who are your neighbors and who else who lives by you might be affected by your social event?

 How many of your members have private residences where social events are held?  What neighborhoods are these events occurring in?  Who lives around you?

 Talk to them  Create a positive relationship with your neighbors.  Let them know that you are planning a social event.  Provide them with a contact phone number and for who will be responsible at your event.  If you cannot talk to them in person drop-off a letter  Drop it off at least 48 hours in advance.  Let them know when it will start and end.  Provide them with a contact phone number and for who will be responsible at the event.

 Give a time frame  Let them know when your event will start and when it will end.  Let them know when the music will be turned off.  Remember no social event with alcohol can be longer than four hours in duration.

 Social events occurring during the week may bother neighbors who work.  Remember Thursday night is a weekday.  Know the rules of your building and the ones listed in your lease.

 If you are having any portion of the event outdoors make sure to start and end the event early. or  Keep it indoors with the windows closed to avoid complaints about loud music.

 If you invite them to your event they will appreciate the gesture. They may or may not come, but the gesture goes a long way.  If they do come it gives you the opportunity to show them the risk reduction measures that you are following that are different than other groups of students.

 If you make a mess clean it up.  Do not leave the outside of your house trashed.  Make sure that all waste is disposed of properly.  Make sure your trash is collected or dropped off.

 Follow-up with your neighbors after the event to see if there were problems.  Make sure to also think about how to improve your event for the future.

 Fraternity and Sorority Governing Councils VCU Risk Management Policies and Procedures   Off-Campus Student Services   Off-Campus Student Handbook   The VCU Wellness Resource Center 

For more information or support please contact: USC&A Fraternity & Sorority Life Office 907 Floyd Ave., Room 014 Richmond, VA Phone: (804) Web: 15