[DeltAlum]

Enough!

This is bullshit.

I'm tired of the pontification. Hazing does not equate to tradition.

Tradition is those ideals you talk about that your fraternity was founded upon. Tradition is what your chapter has done for your campus and national organization. Tradition is your alumni.

Hazing is something that is done behind closed doors and/or swept under the carpet to be hidden from the world.

Brotherhood comes from friendship and common experiences. Those experiences do not have to be negative in nature. They don't have to be force fed.

I've been around the Greek System for over nearly thirty-five years. I was hazed. I adise chapters that don't haze. Their brotherhood is as good as any I've seen over all of those years.

All things change. Hazing should be a thing of the past.

It sickens me to read Fraternal News and see the number of chapters being closed because of old line intransigence and blatant stupidity.

It scares me that a chapter and it's nationals and advisors can have their lives and organizations ruined when things get out of hand.

Has it occurred to any of you that the real reason universities are "out to get" the Greek System is because of our very own stupidity? The reason for obtrusive regulations, laws and unfair treatment is we aren't smart enough to know when enough is enough. We break the rules and kill people.

I can't tell you how many times in past few years I've considered giving up my alumni acitivities because some of our chapters just don't get it. Why should I put my and my family's future at risk because of some idiots. Why should I keep on fighting what appears to be a losing battle?

Why? Because I believe in those traditions and that brotherhood that hazing mocks.

Because I love what Delta Tau Delta was founded on and for. Because I think that the fraternal experience can be a good one and valuable over the course of time.

The first sentence of the Delt Creed is, "I believe in Delta Tau Delta for the education of youth and the inspiration of MATURITY so that I can better learn and live the truth."

The last is, "I believe in Delta Tau Delta as an abiding influence to help me do my work, fullfill my obligations, maintain my SELF RESPECT, and bring about that happy life wherein I may more truly love my fellow men, serve my country and obey my God."

The capitalization is mine. Nowhere does it say anything about hazing or harsh treatment.

I don't want to be around to see the end of the system. There are too many good reasons for it's continuance.

Let's all grow up.