[DeltAlum]

This debate brings back to my mind a line from an old song, "But I was so much older then, I'm younger than that now." Ah, if I were only as smart as I was way back when I was in college.

Frankly, while many don't necessarily want to admit it now, age does bring at least some wisdom. However, it also allows for some gray areas and, if you are really smart, the understanding that you might not really comprehend all the ramifications of certain situations.

The truth is that age 18 isn't the magic milestone it appears to be. You can't drink legally in the US until you're 21. You can't run for President until you're 35.

"The State" enforces mandatory seat belt laws for all ages. The same for drinking and driving. Does anyone want to make the argument that driving drunk is OK once you turn 18? How about hard drugs? Sometimes we have to be protected from ourselves.

In the final analysis, though, organizations (like Sigma Chi in this case) must decide for themselves what things are good for their own organization. Risk Management, whether something like branding is a real or imaginary problem, is high on that list.

As for the father complaining, would you object if he were complaining about the university raising its tuition? Or, if they weren't providing security services? Or, if the fraternity was demanding all of its members be branded?

What would you have said if this young man's brand had gotten infected and he ended up in the hospital -- or had to have the arm amputated?

The fact is that this father has every right to speak his mind -- just as you have every right to speak yours.

Oh, and by the way, parenting doesn't end when a "child" turns eighteen. Think about that the next time you need a parent to co-sign for a loan or an apartment.

Look, I'm not implying that college students shouldn't be moving toward independence. Nor am I saying that some of you aren't bright enough to be totally independent. But some of you aren't. Nor, frankly, are many adults.

It's just that you don't magically become all knowing at midnight of your 18th birthday. Sometimes it happens a week or two earlier or later...