Considered natural enemies in the wild, frat boys and police officers have found a way to co-exist peacefully in Corvallis.

The annual migratory influx of Oregon State University students has begun, and fraternities and sororities are busy sprucing up their habitats — a phenomenon known as work week — in anticipation of another year of studying, working and socializing.

By day the Greeks are busy as Beavers, but by night a more wild side emerges and their tendency to party is notorious.

In years past, Corvallis police officers have readied for a flight or flight response to the out of control ragers, and sometimes even riots, that broke out near campus.

"Five years ago, we just dreaded work week," said Greek Liaison supervisor, Corvallis Sgt. Jim Crain. "We figured we have to start making better relationships."

And so began the evolution that has resulted in the symbiotic police-Greek relationship that can be observed today.

Police officers and Greek leadership gathered for an annual barbeque Tuesday, held to kick off the year's partnership and to make sure the house leaders get a chance to meet their liaison officers.

Through educational efforts and providing each fraternity and sorority house with a Liaison officer, the Greek Liaison Program fosters an atmosphere of safe, responsible parties and general safety in the homes.

The liaison officers meet often with Greek leaders and discuss strategies for safe and legal partying. Officers answer questions about local laws and offer advice to students on how to comply while pursuing their natural inclinations.

For example, Greek parties now tend to feature a person at the door checking IDs, said Delta Upsilon president Romney Bake.

The 21-year-old College of Business senior said he appreciates the educational sessions with liaison officers.

"They clarify what they actually look for and what their purpose of going to a party is," Bake said.

Police are not there just bust people and hand out tickets, he explained, but to ensure that students are safe and know their rights and responsibilities.

"Sometimes you think you know what the right thing is and sometimes you don't know the legality of it," said Brent Atkinson, 21, president of Phi Delta Theta.

Atkinson said his frat brothers also benefit from the question-and-answer sessions with their liaison officer.

"It's helped out, just because we're college students and we think we know everything, but some students need a reminder that officers aren't out to get you," Atkinson said. "They're there for public safety."

Atkinson believes the party behavior of his fraternity members has changed as a result of the more casual relationship with individual police officers.

"They are more responsible about it now," Atkinson said. "They have more respect for the police officers also, because they know it's not just a cop in a uniform."

Last year at a Phi Delta Theta party hosted at a "live-out" house — a rental where Greeks, usually seniors, live together outside the confines of the frat or sorority house — a man who was not on the guest list called attention to himself by being loud, obnoxious and predatory toward the females in attendance.

Because of the liaison program relationship, Atkinson felt comfortable calling his liaison officer to request help.

"The police came. They didn't disrupt the party," Atkinson said. "They just came in and got him and got him out."

Officer Nick Hurley, a driving force behind the liaison program's development, attributes the success of the program to the fact that it is completely voluntary, on all sides.

The police who serve as liaison officers have all stepped up to do it because of their own personal interest in the cause.

"They all went to college and some of them were in fraternities," Hurley said.

The fraternities and sororities participate voluntarily as well.

"It's not mandated or required," Hurley said. "The philosophy that people support what they help create really comes about."

In addition to the most basic goals of harm reduction and public safety, Hurley feels he is helping educate the Greeks in civic responsibility.

"These people are going to own a home next to me someday, and I want them to be good neighbors," Hurley said.

Hurley appreciates the chance to work with the Greeks, and not so much against them.

"We're not here to just squelch people's fun, just write tickets and call it a day," he said.

The recent party-related death of a young man in OSU's Finley Hall may have a cautionary effect on students this year, but Hurley feels the education must be ongoing.

"If I never have to give notice to another parent that their kid's not coming home ... I'll be a happy man," Hurley said.

Hurley is quick to point out that liaison officers do not coddle the Greeks. Officers do not turn a blind eye to problems or violations, he said.

"It's truly a partnership," he said. "We're here to educate and be a resource. It's not a get out of jail free card."

The story behind the story

In honor of the success of the Greek Liaison Program, the Corvallis Police Department received national recognition from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. An award entitled "Oregon Success Stories" was presented to the officers and supervisors who facilitate the Greek Liaison Program at a ceremony Tuesday. It reads, in part:

In the wake of a series of riots in 2001, university administration, campus police, and local enforcement began to work more closely together to address student-drinking issues, especially those related to fraternity and sorority life. Student alcohol-related incident reports in off-campus settings have dropped by more than half after implementation of an innovative program involving enforcement and Greek Life at Oregon State University ... Members of Greek Life embraced the program and now work closely with enforcement to ensure compliance with campus policies and local and state laws, participate in student patrols and enforcement ride-alongs, and are now better neighbors in the community.