A University of Arizona fraternity accused of drugging a film starโs drink has decided to ban booze at frat-house parties.
The move to a โdry houseโ is one of several changes made by Sigma Alpha Epsilon after โJackassโ star Johnny Knoxville claimed someone slipped Ecstasy into his beer when he shot a promotional video there last fall.
University officials said they found no evidence to support Knoxvilleโs claim, which he made in media interviews but not to the UA, shortly before the Oct. 25 release of his latest movie, โBad Grandpa.โ
Even so, the fraternity had to answer for the fact that booze was present at an event that was supposed to be alcohol-free since the house was on probation for past misconduct.
The chapter has faced a string of corrective actions since 2009 for drunkenness, hazing, endangerment and other violations.
UA officials said a number of new measures are aimed at preventing future problems.
Outside visitors can no longer show up on short notice, as Knoxville did.
And events with alcohol will be held only off-campus at locations such as restaurants, not at the frat house.
Nearly 40 members of the fraternity took training aimed at preventing alcohol abuse and received a presentation from UA police.
Members also must refrain from conduct that casts the university or the chapter โin a โnegative lightโ with the media,โ according to a UA website that tracks disciplinary actions against sororities and fraternities.
โThey are on a short leash,โ Chrissy Lieberman, a UA associate dean of students, said of the fraternity.
โThey want to be here and they want to toe the line,โ she said.
Chapter members suggested many of the changes on their own, she added.
The UA has a recent history of tough action against troubled fraternities that donโt mend their ways.
Since early 2012, four fraternity chapters have been shut down for chronic misconduct.
