Greek life has been in the media nonstop lately for sexual assaults, hazing scandals, and essentially anything negative that can happen on a college campus. I have a message out there for all of the alumnae, parents, independents, prospective Greeks, and anyone who has read anything negative about Greek life ever – and I want you to remember this as you read about collegians and illegal shenanigans that take place on campuses.
These are adults. Every single person who has played a hand in a sexual assault or hazing of new members is an adult who has made a terrible choice. They made the choice to bring shame to their organization as well as to their chapter. Not a single nationally-governed sorority or fraternity publically supports hazing. Not a single nationally-governed Greek organization would ever publically endorse date rape, and none of these organizations would ever support a member who does not follow the expectations set forth by whatever their creed is. Most of the creeds involve loyalty and class and honor, as well as brotherhood or sisterhood, and scholarship and philanthropy. Frat boys and sorority girls everywhere aspire to reach the ideal that their creed demonstrates. An adult student participating in these illegal activities is not putting forth their best effort to emulate their creed.
When one joins a Greek organization, they join as an adult. As an adult they make the choice to enter into a sort of contract with the organization, agreeing to do all they can to better the organization as the organization continues to better them. If said adult cannot hold up their end of this obligation, then they are not where they belong and they will not continue to represent the Greek system. Campuses are getting stricter about what is and is not allowed, just as the national organizations are tightening their reigns on individual chapters. If something goes downhill, then those involved will be held responsible. However – terrible things happen, and the Greek system cannot be blamed for this. These aren’t crazy kids making mistakes, these are adults making bad choices. Please remember this the next time you see a chapter suspended, or a charter revoked. Think of this when your nephew joins a fraternity, or when your daughter wants to rush.
As an adult – this is their choice. It doesn’t mean they are going to drink, or haze, or be hazed. It doesn’t mean they will start mixing jungle juice with a little something slipped in. This is not Animal House, or a Lifetime movie. The majority of Greek members are hardworking students, campus leaders, and honorable people. Mass media today is allowing Greek life to be shown in a purely negative light, because of a few bad apples who ruin it for everyone else. As with everything else in life, there are good people and bad people. Greek life is no different.
I’m not asking you as a writer, or even as a sorority girl – I’m asking you as an adult, who made a decision to join a Greek organization, to value those who uphold the ideals. Remember the boys with the 4.0s and the bow ties up the row. Instead of remembering a party gone wrong – remember the house that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for their philanthropy. Never remember the Greeks as the adults making the bad choices, remember us as the adults who fought to make it to the top and become more successful. It doesn’t excuse the actions of those before us, but it gives hope for a better reputation for Greek life in the future.
