The board can respond by requiring all members of the fraternity to attend alcohol awareness programs or to submit a plan on managing alcohol on premises. It can also place the fraternity on probation or close it outright.

"I'm a big fan of fraternity houses in the city of Boston. I think they make the city young, vibrant," said Daniel F. Pokaski, chair of the Licensing Board.

"But there's a line that can't be crossed," Pokaski added. "If we find that a frat is being run like an animal house or disturbing the quiet of the neighbors, the board will act accordingly."

Pokaski said he could not speculate about repercussions in this case before the hearing next Thursday.

Meanwhile, SAE was suspended by MIT on Sept. 22, which effectively bans SAE members from participating in school events as a group, Sales said.

SAE had already been put on alcohol-free probation by MIT, following a 1998 incident where a prospective student was served alcohol during 1998's campus preview week.

SAE fraternity members could not be reached for comment.