As most Fresno-area residents are fully aware by now, a Highway 99 crash involving a Greyhound bus and a SUV resulted in the death of six people.

Three of those victims of the fatal accident were young women, all 18 years of age and younger, and all three were intoxicated. The other three victims were passengers of the 31-patron Greyhound bus, which overturned as it was struck by the SUV operated by the young woman. The scene has since been described as especially brutal.

What many Fresnans are unaware of, however, are the ramifications of this tragic event on July 22.

Obviously the accident was a product of underage drinking, an easily avoidable yet inevitable offense, and the Fresno Police Department has been strengthening its efforts to do something about it.

First, the Fresno PD, in the weeks and now months following the accident, has been issuing stricter permit regulations on nightspot drinking venues throughout the city. Furthermore, DUI checkpoints and a citywide crackdown on underage drinking and driving has become a major policy for our city’s police department.

These recent incidents beg the question: Which Fresno State students will be affected most by the Fresno sweep of alcohol abuse? After all, Fresno State seems to pride itself on its responsible drinking habits, as demonstrated by the numerous banners and bulletins on campus. But there’s one place associated with Fresno State that not only abridges on the legality of underage drinking, it practically encourages it.

We’re talking about the 17 social fraternities and sororities that are a part of our university.

The entire object of Greek life is to stimulate brotherhood and sisterhood among the members while serving as balanced community servers and leaders for the future.

Greek organizations often pride themselves on active community involvement and charitable services””to learn more about these efforts, read Greeks bury stereotypes. Along with so many positive endeavors, however, comes a little bit of partying here and there.

The issue at hand here is that the partying has recently turned into a subvert-Fresno-Police-Department-at-all-cost maneuver, leading to several arrests for minors and “social probation” for a large portion of the fraternities.

By rule, fraternities are the only houses permitted to carry and supply alcohol to guests and residents. Sororities are to neither have alcohol on their premises nor have male guests in a sorority member’s bedroom, unless granted special permission.

Underage drinking is no secret, especially to those of us who have experienced the freedom of college. But sorority members, who are often under aged, are incited to consume alcohol at fraternities, which often spells trouble for all involved.

Since the Greyhound bus incident nearly eight weeks ago, Fresno PD has been actively trying to put the breaks on these sorts of things from happening. Meanwhile, Greek organizations at Fresno State have been taking some initiative of their own, finding ways to dodge the crackdown.

This isn’t to say that Greek life on campus has been running amok, seeking alcohol at every turn. Fresno PD is simply taking action following a horrific and tragic circumstance, and fraternities and sororities should be doing what they can to police themselves, not just for the duration of the crackdown, but permanently.

Instead of eluding the heightened underage drinking enforcement, the organizations on campus that have been given permission to host such adult events should conduct themselves in a way befitting to adults. For all the good Greek life contributes to the community, it would be in character for them to do their part in assisting Fresno PD’s effort.