Another Article about Duke Sororities (October 31, 2007)
http://media.www.dukechronicle.com/m...-3068457.shtml
Interesting column touches on Panhellenic cooperation / unity and issues like objectification of women, sorority women "serving" in connection with fraternity recruitment, sororities wanting housing, etc.
Brief excerpt from column:
They [the presidents of the NPC sororities at Duke]
demonstrated that sorority women can change the way fraternities treat them if they demand better treatment.
But, with this in mind, several issues remain unresolved. Some argue for further reform, citing that lip sync remains inequitable so long as the women are dancing and the men are judging (note: Sigma Chi participated this year with its own dance). Also, next semester's fraternity rush brings a slew of more objectifying events-events where sorority women staff rooms, serve shots and give lap dances. It is my hope that sorority presidents and Panhel will exercise the same leadership when they encounter these events in the Spring.
Even so, right now I am excited to be writing a column that labels sorority women not as "sorostitutes" but rather as leaders who finally stood up and changed a Duke tradition for the better.
Edited to add: As a side note to the columnist's mention of Duke sorority women serving shots and giving lap dances, it's worth noting that U.S. News and World Report ranks Duke as #8 on the list of best national universities. The same source lists Duke's tuition and fees as approximately $35,700 plus of course room and board at about $9,500. Seems kind of a pricey way to get to be a cocktail waitress or lap dancer for an evening or so. And don't even get me started on the time spent on SATs, essays, interviews, and application fees just to get admitted. But hey.
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandre...2920_brief.php
Edited to add article on sororities' lack of campus space
Problems at Duke with renting / reserving space for meetings, events, recruitment, etc.:
http://media.www.dukechronicle.com/m...-3081376.shtml