The Orion
California State University, Chico
May 24, 2006
Cal State-Chico greeks comply with university rules, improve image
By Jennifer Scholtes, The Orion
One year ago, the Greek Life Task Force presented a report to President
Paul Zingg that gave Cal State-Chico fraternities and sororities an
ultimatum: Get better or get out.
Although the Greeks still have a long way to go, they have improved their
system, university officials said.
"Compared to last year at this time, we've made tremendous progress," Vice
President for Student Affairs Jim Moon told the Academic Senate on May 2.
"I wouldn't have predicted that a year ago."
The Greek system was asked to revamp May 16, 2005 after events that
included the near death of a pledge because of alcohol poisoning in January
2005, the death of a pledge during a hazing ritual in February 2005 and the
April 2005 discovery that a fraternity had filmed a pornographic video in
its chapter house.
To improve themselves, the Greeks were asked to limit alcohol consumption,
focus on academics, develop leaders, increase community service and
philanthropy, and stop hazing.
In response, the Greeks voted this semester to not recruit first-semester
freshmen and not have alcohol at socials held at chapter houses. In
addition, the Academic Senate made a rule that all university-recognized
Greek organizations must have average chapter GPAs of 2.5 or higher.
The Greeks have achieved their community service and philanthropy goals by
supporting causes such as the Boys & Girls Club and Hurricane Katrina
relief. And Greek adviser Larry Bassow said he thinks hazing has
drastically decreased.
Bassow looks at this semester as phase one of ongoing improvement, he said.
"We're still in business, which is good," Bassow said. "And we've been able
to lay the groundwork for a new Greek system. But I think you will see more
next year."
Bassow wants to see underage drinking in Greek organizations continue to
decrease. He wants a successful fall recruitment even though first-semester
freshman won't be involved. And he wants to see all fraternity and sorority
members embrace the improvements rather than just the Greek leadership, he
said.
Some members are upset about the changes, but now that there are two Greek
advisers, Greeks are able to get more assistance in making changes and
understanding the importance of the Greek system's goals, Bassow said.
"Them coming to us is a sign that they're hearing us," he said. "I tell
them, 'If you want to play fraternity, it's going to be different.'"
Greek adviser Connie Huyck said she thinks Greeks are starting to
understand why things need to improve.
"It's been a long year since last spring," she said. "But we are finding
ways to have fun within the rules."
Although Bassow and Huyck think the Greek system has improved, but it will
take longer for the community to recognize the changes, they said.
But Zingg has already started to see a response to the system's
improvement, he said.
"From a lot of community feedback, I believe that the larger community has
seen positive changes with the Greeks and is confident that we're headed in
the right direction," he said in an e-mail.
But like Huyck and Bassow, Zingg realizes Greek improvement is an ongoing
process, he said.
"A lot of good can be undone with a little bad," Zingg said. "And the
Greeks here have had more than their fair share of the latter."
Despite recognizing the chance of failure, Zingg is optimistic the Greek
system is making progress and will add to a positive image of Chico State,
he said.
"We're building on the best of the Greek tradition here, and we're taking
steps to lessen the chances of the bad being our only story."
(C) 2006 The Orion
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