[bolingbaker]

The Chronicle of Higher Education published a widely-circulated essay acknowledging that much of the conflict between GLOs and university administrations stems from the built in animosity between traditionally left-wing university types and traditionally conservative fraternity/sorority members. Of course, that doesn't excuse a moron forcing a pledge to drink, or lend suspicion to an administrator sincerely trying to prevent fights. However, in too many cases the pre-disposition of an admisitration is to bully the GLOs and act sanctimonious for the public's eye. Too many administrators impose on GLOs rules which are blantly, obviously illegal, but they get away with it because the undergraduates have no idea that they don't have to put up with it. Case in point is the latest episode at Auburn where two traditionally white fraternities held Halloween parties where photos were taken and published of costumes that were at least tasteless and at worst racist. One fraternity (maybe both, I don't know) did as you suggested. They were honest, remorseful; they kicked out members and they stood in front of the offended traditionally Black fraternity and apologized. What they did that those photos revealed was stupid, destructive of good relations, hurtful and offensive. What it was not, however, was illegal. The University knows this, and the (cowardly?) national offices know it too. Yet the university collapsed into self-righteous fenzy and expelled the students and the fraternities. No due process. Nothing. The fraternities (one or both) have now filed a $300 million civil rights suit against Auburn, and the guess here is that there will be a settlement with Auburn the loser. All of Auburn's posturing and pontificating was for public consumption. Auburn's attorneys surely know the truth. It would have been better handled if the administration had brought the fraternities together with Black groups and allowed the whole episoide to have a good ending with positive results. I live in Florida and it is interesting that the situation at Auburn would probably never happen in Florida because of the large numbers of Hispanics, Asians and Blacks who are members of traditional IFC fraternities on the state's major campusses. Auburn's fraternities would probably benefit from the same sort of diversity, but now it is unlikely that much will be done in that direction because of the confrontational, adversarial atmosphere that has been created by the administration. My point is that GLOs need to be aware of their responsibilities if we are going to survive. But also, they need to be very aware of their rights under the Constiutution so they will not be bullied out of existence by people who simply do not like their politics. Sometimes, you can do all the 'right' things, and it won't make any difference to people who consider themselves your enemies.