BYOB, BACCHUS, IFC, SOP, SPO, granger

Of the many things colleges do quite well, using acronyms in everyday vernacular certainly tops the list. Ask for directions from any friendly college student on any welcoming campus in America, and they may make you feel like the victim of a bad inside joke. A single conversation may contain several abbreviations for organizations and policies apparently important enough for a student to mention them. The only problem is, you have no idea what they are talking about. On our own campus, a co-ed could easily leave his IFC meeting and walk past the SOP on the way to the SPO to SPO (yes, also a verb) invitations to a BYOB event where BACCHUS will be providing sober-rides home. Of course, the same co-ed could attend an event held by the AAA or SPECE instead. And of course, after parties, Sewanee kids love to head to the Pub (not a typo, just a three-letter word) for a Granger, a sandwich so well known that its name describes its creator and not its contents. We're just as guilty of excessive acronym use as our peers and that's probably alright. However, this shabby rundown of the most important acronyms related to Greek life on the Mountain might prove helpful.

BYO: Bring Your Own--A party designated as BYO is closed to the public because hard liquor will be served. ID checkers, police officers and bartenders must be present and the event cannot last longer than two hours. These parties are typically formals or dinners. Food and non-alcoholic beverages must be available. Each student brings his own bottle (fifth of liquor, bottle of wine or 6-pack) and places it in the care of the bartender who then serves the individual from his bottle.

BYOB: Bring Your Own Beverage--BYOB events can be open to the public and are typically band parties or simply large gatherings of people. Those of age may bring a 6-pack of beer cans. BYOB parties must still be registered with the school and have police on the premises. 

Dry: Just like it sounds. No alcohol allowed.

IFC: Interfraternity Council--governing organization for fraternities consisting of IFC officers and fraternity presidents
ISC: Intersorority Council--governing organization for sororities consisting of ISC officers and sorority presidents.

BACCHUS: Boost Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students--Sewanee's sober ride system that runs on Friday and Saturday nights.

Granger: I know, it's not an acronym, but a sandwich named after a man named Granger doesn't really tell you what's in it. Although I've actually never had one, I think it's a plain bagel, cream cheese, bacon and some kind of white cheese wrapped in plastic and then microwaved. A few people swear by them, but the microwave and plastic combination always got to me.