Recently, the New York Times released an article titled "Sorority Anti-Rape Idea: Drinking on Own Turf." This article suggests that sororities have the ability to pregame, drink, and even throw parties in their houses, stating that "allowing alcohol would give women — not just sorority members — the option to attend Greek house parties that women control, from setting off-limits areas to deciding the content of the punch." If Greek women were able to have this type of control over drinking and/or the parties themselves, it could completely change our skewed party culture. This also brings into play the following question: Why do sororities and frats stray so far from one another in regards to drinking, partying, and rules in general??

On one hand, we have sororities with pristine, mansion-sized homes, perfectly cut lawns and gorgeous interiors. Our sorority houses are kept with the utmost respect so it remains clean at all times. On top of that, we have many rules so our house and sorority stay in line. The Panhellenic Council bans alcohol and drugs from anywhere in our houses, with a possible penalty of getting kicked out if they are found. 

On the other hand, there are comparably-sized frat houses where it seems as if rules do not exist. There are parties every weekend, grotesque substances all over the floors, and bathrooms that make you believe you've contracted a disease even while squatting. What happens inside frats is completely acceptable — from smoking to binge-drinking to absolutely wrecking the place. Why do these two places differ so much?

Now, I'm not implying a complete change of hand, but after reading the New York Times article, it got me thinking. WHY are sororities not allowed to do half the things that fraternities can? WHY are we "held to a higher standard" just because we are women? WHY is it inexcusable to have a single bottle of beer in our homes while frat trash cans overflow with empty bottles?

And it doesn't! Why aren't we at least able to pregame at our houses instead of risking over drinking at frats, taking over-poured shots, or getting drugged? If we are going to be drinking anyways, why not do it in a safe and comfortable environment rather than a sweaty, hot frat with zero regulations? I don't agree we should be throwing the type of friday/saturday night rangers at our nice and expensive houses, but I do think implementing some sort of exception to the alcohol policies may be in order. These are all just ideas that have surfaced, but who knows? Maybe some day we will be able to undermine the contemporary rape culture of college campuses.