With a new semester and new Greek members come new problems, says the Office of Greek Life.

Despite several rules governing new-member activities, chapters are encountering troubles with the Office of Greek Life, whose responsibility is to work with chapters in properly and appropriately implementing their new member programs.

According to an e-mail sent on Tuesday to new member educators in Panhellenic Council sororities by Assistant Director of Greek Life Tanner Marcantel, "We have had some new members go to the emergency room already for the over-consumption of alcohol."

Kristin Torrey, director of Greek Life, refused to divulge details on the incident or confirm the existence of the incident itself for "privacy reasons," though she did provide information on the rules governing Greek organizations and problems they have previously encountered.

"Historically, we have had challenges regarding new-member activities, especially during the beginning of the new-member education period," said Torrey. "(In the past), chapters have been sanctioned for hosting informal events with alcohol where new members have become intoxicated. Chapters have also been sanctioned for violating the hazing policy."

According to Torrey, sanctions have ranged from educational and social probations to suspension from the university.

Marcantel confirmed the former in the e-mail, saying, "Last time we had our new members involved in alcohol-related incidents, we canceled all sorority social events for the rest of the semester."

According to the Office of Greek Life and governing bodies for each chapter — the Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Panhellenic Council — alcohol is not permitted at any new-member activity such as Bid Day or big brother/big sister revealing.

Chapters are not allowed to formally or informally celebrate new members with alcohol — this includes activities that involve the entire chapter as well as smaller gatherings that could be considered a chapter event because of the number of members present.

"All chapters are required to sign an anti-hazing statement and submit their new-member program for review prior to the beginning of the new-member education process," Torrey said.

Neither Torrey nor Marcantel answered inquiries asking whether the violations of the alcohol policy actually occurred, nor were they willing to confirm or deny any details about them. However, Torrey stated that issues of new-member alcohol consumption are taken very seriously by the Office of Greek Life.

"Chapters and individual students have been and will be held accountable," Torrey said.