[valkyrie]

Originally posted by KellyB369
I can see where you are coming from as far as why does the house have to be such a focus, but I strongly disagree with your comparison. No where in our by-laws does it say, "You must allow yourself to be hazed" or "You must do whatever it takes to win Greek Week." What it does say though, in explicit terms, is that you must fulfill your housing obligation (which is now 2 years for my chapter). Maybe not having houses, especially huge expensive ones would help some things, like people who don't want to live there, chapter finances, etc. But having a house does a lot for a chapter and I think it can really boost the sisterhood because you really get to know each other. Just ask the people who don't have houses, some of them may say they are glad not to have the hassle, but a lot of them would die to have a place to live, eat, meet, have events, store things (especially ritual things), etc.

I said what I did about hazing in response to what was said earlier about how you're not an individual any more once you join a sorority -- I just think that can be a dangerous thing to say to a young woman who could possibly be taken advantage of if she gives up too much of herself for the "greater good" of an organization. I agree with what you're saying about bylaws -- if it says you have to do it, you have to do it, period -- but I can understand why it would upset people.