How to improve inter-fraternity relations?
 

I kinda already posted a thread related to this, but this is more specific. Im writing an article in our paper about WHY fraternity relations are pretty poor and how they can be improved. They're all gonna be pretty generic, but i'd like to get some imput. Ill also use Greekchat as a reference ;). Basically, I want my argument to be something like

"blah blah...there are problems and issues between frats, but in the end they all need eachother to survive...cause we are the minority on campus, etc."


any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

thanks
eric

You could mention that we are all GREEK first, and then the organization second. If it wasn't for being a Greek, none of us would be a part of our specific organizations.

I'm sorry....I am an ALPHA first. I didn't pledge the NIC/NPHC/NPC.....being a Fraternity Man is an associated benefit to being an Alpha.

I'm with you on that one (sort of). I'm a Kappa Sigma first and foremost.

As far as how to improve them - some ideas could be doing events together (philanthropies, sports tournaments, etc.). If you're the minority on campus, it's especially important to stick together; divisions in the Greek system weaken the system as a whole.

i agree with you 100%


I just found on the IU website that the Greek community here makes up 17% of the student population. Thats about 5,780 people in the Greek system.

Incidentally, if you're writing this for the school paper, I'd reconsider unless it is an opinion piece...conflict of interest, you know.

That being said, what PROOF do you have that relations are poor? Specific incidents...loss of a chapter, fights, judicial infractions, uneven recruitment results,long advertised rivalries etc. One person with a problem with one member of one chapter does not a fraternal relations problem make.

The problem we have with our writers on our campus paper is often quotes. You've got to talk to people (administrators (and not just Greek Advisor! Deans, discipline admin, etc), other fraternity members (not just your brothers), and then the general unaffiliated public). Getting people to talk on the record about this stuff can be touchy. You may want to talk to Chapter pres. or PR people, as they may be the only ones allowed to talk to press.

elephant lines

phoenix Azul, im not gonna be referring to specific incidents or even use the names of our GLO's in the article. Just gonna state the usual frat vs frat bullshit that goes on (fights in bars, front yards, etc) Stuff that happens everywhere at every school. Say why most of it is unnecessary and just leads to risking your house...then point out why each fraternity needs eachother to survive as a community.

A question: do "fights in bars, front yards, etc." really happen everywhere and at every school? Are there, in fact, colleges and universities with some similarity to your school where events like that are truly rare? If so, what is it about interfraternity relations at those schools that at least maintains the peace, and maybe creates a sense of inter-Greek brotherhood?

As you can probably tell, I'm a little concerned that there may be an assumption that the kind of behavior you've mentioned is universal. I'm not completely convinced that's true. though I do think there's too much of it. Maybe your campus Greek Life office or some fraternity advisors could suggest some schools where things are different, and the story might benefit from some comparisons / quotes from other schools?

well i dont know how things work at your school, but i happens alot more often here that it sounds like there. I have lots of friends in other fraternities that tell me stories. And i see it almost on a weekly basis.

Great Idea!
 

Obviously fights at bars, fights at front yards at EVERY school was an exaggeration that he was making. But don't be naive. It happens. Rivalries will always occur. Boys will be boys.

Hoosier, I'm really not sure how you can improve fraternity relations. It really depends on the type of guys these fraternities are rushing. But no matter what, it will always have to start at the top. Each chapters leaders must take a stand and make a change. Man, I sound like a Michael jackson song.


Good luck with your article man. PM me if you want more of my input. I don't want to offend the rest of GC with my views :)

I think you're missing the point of my article though. Im not writing about the greek system nationwide. Just at Indiana University. Actually, I agree with what you're saying.

and actually, i was assigned this topic by the newspaper. Apparently, others here see it as a problem.

Oh, okay, I see. Thanks for the explanation, and sorry I was off track. Hope you get some good suggestions. Best wishes on the story.