Fraternities nationwide plan to participate in a program aimed at preventing irresponsible alcohol consumption in social situations.

Larry Moore, master trainer for the Training for Intervention Procedures program, recently began training five fraternity members at Pennsylvania State University. His students will be certified to train about 100 other Greeks in responsible drinking.

Penn State instituted the program for each of its 51 fraternities as part of an initiative to reach out to its Panhellenic and judicial groups.

Northwestern isn’t part of the program, but some NU chapters do TIPS training through their national chapters, said Kyle Pendleton, NU’s director of fraternity and sorority life.

The two- to three-hour program includes a discussion of different types of alcohol, levels of tolerance, methods of intervention and legal responsibilities. Student-led skits and a final exam follow the training session.

Moore found that “100 percent of those who participated felt they were more confident in intervening if a situation should occur.”

Fraternities and sororities have their members participate in extensive alcohol education programs, Pendleton said. Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Association and the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life are working together to develop mandatory workshops for Greek members.

Last year, the office asked all new Greek members to attend a lecture by Mike Green, the president of Collegiate Consultants on Drugs and Alcohol. Green, a former alcoholic, spoke about responsible drinking.

“His stories were very engaging, but I don’t know how effective it was to promote responsible drinking,” said Bill Godley, a Weinberg sophomore and member of Pi Kappa Alpha. “AlcoholEdu covered most of the facts, but it’s not going to stop students from binge drinking.”

Reach Vivienne So at [email protected].