(Anybody know what GLO the pres belongs to?)
No room for error among fraternities
Fraternities are in danger of being eliminated at Chico State University, figuratively taken out behind the barn and shot in the head by the university, just like Pioneer Days nearly 20 years ago.
The Greek community has been warned. But is it listening?
In the wake of one hazing death and one near-death this semester, fraternity and sorority members were summoned to the Bell Memorial Union Auditorium on Sunday night. About 850 showed up, many dressed respectfully in their Sunday best, some perhaps expecting the death penalty.
In a 10-minute speech that was the oratory equivalent of a firm spanking, university President Paul Zingg unloaded. He came across like an angry father, and the students listened attentively. It was so quiet you could hear the other shoe drop.
"I'm not here to give a lecture, or preach a sermon, or deliver a warning," said Zingg. "I'm here to tell you how it is."
He called the death of Matthew Carrington on Feb. 2 "the last straw," but stopped short of delivering perhaps a deserved but perhaps unenforceable penalty eliminating fraternities entirely.
Instead, Zingg said the university will spend the rest of the semester reviewing the Greek system. That task force may indeed decide to get rid of fraternities, though we'd bet the fraternities will get a reprieve. Three months will only dilute the pain and urgency. But we hope harsh changes are in store, because they're needed.
Zingg made it clear that fraternities and sororities can help themselves.
"You are either part of the solution, collectively and every day, or you are part of the problem. ... You are either one, or you are the other. You really don't have a choice in the matter if you expect to survive here," said Zingg.
Zingg, a former fraternity member, apologized that a few fraternity members cloud the majority. He said he realizes fraternities are beneficial. Now is the time to prove it, he said: "If you are not who you claim to be, then you are frauds."
The words were strong, but that's what is needed.
The problem with fraternities is not just the university's battle. Carrington died while pledging a fraternity that's not recognized by the university, but is kept alive by alumni. The city needs the tools to shut down such fraternities. Alumni of all fraternities need to send a message that traditions that involve hazing must stop, rather than encouraging hazing by their silence.
Police and prosecutors need to have better tools to discover hazing and tougher penalties to shut it down.
But most important, students themselves need to speak out against hazing and then live up to their words. Somebody needs to have a conscience. Somebody needs to be the voice of reason. If one person had spoken up for Carrington, instead of allowing fraternity "brothers" to humiliate him, he may be alive. The sin of silence is difficult to bear.
As Zingg said, in more eloquent words, put up or shut up. Prove that fraternities are wonderful organizations by eliminating the pain and humiliation that upperclassmen try to pass off as "traditions." Do that, or disappear.
Zingg's speech was followed by the showing of a documentary on a hazing death in New York that was remarkably similar to the Chico incident another preventable, unnecessary death. As the crowd filed out of the auditorium, the mood was somber. The students seemed to get the message. We'll see.
To read past Enterprise-Record articles on the hazing death, see
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Feb. 12:
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Feb. 10:
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Feb. 6:
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Feb. 5:
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Feb. 4:
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Feb. 3:
- Police investigating death of fraternity pledge
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