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Davis Greeks Sign Picnic Day Safety Pledge

DAVIS (CBS13) - Around 11 percent of the UC Davis campus is involved with a Greek organization, but on picnic day, when trouble occurs, they're often the groups that are targeted as the problem. Some of the leaders of those groups are doing what they can to make sure that stops.

Junior Matt Mcullough says the sort of student-run open house on campus known as Picnic Day is really an excuse to binge drink for many students.

Sigma Nu, Mccullough's fraternity, and 50 other Greek organizations have signed a pledge to promote alcohol safety for the second straight year.

"We signed the pledge because we want to make sure our house is safe," said Mcullough.

It didn't prevent a post-Picnic Day death at a party last year. A student died in an accidental fall while horse playing.

"We don't want people we don't know coming into our house," said Mcullough.

The pledge makes 11 promises, like not serving alcohol before noon, providing food, and having proper security.

Nick Chu's fraternity is one of 24 Greek organizations that didn't sign the pledge, but he supports it.

"We aren't official yet, so when we are, of course we will sign something like that," said Chu.

For students on the UC Davis campus, Picnic Day will involve a lot more than partying. In fact 200 activities are scheduled, including educational exhibits, tours, even a children's fair.

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