Quote:
Originally posted by Rudey
Our Michigan chapter was not only was taken apart and recolonized after a severe hazing incident, but there were changes to how we recruited on the campus and whom we recruited. I even heard rumors about how rushes from certain hometowns were looked at entirely in a different light to make sure we didn't take on the added risk.
Can AEPi's Michigan chapter boast? In 2003 (their webpage has that listed), they had the highest GPA on campus (3.4) and the highest new member GPA (3.688). Their chapter, since being refounded in the last few years, has also had athletes and football players as brothers.
But look again at the campus - AEPi apparently righted it's ship, but, is hazing still a problem on campus (in other words, is it still systemic)? Unfortunately the answer is yes.
A fraternity is very capable of monitoring its own chapters
I disagree - name one large (100+ chapter) national organization that has not had to close a chapter(s) in thepast two years due to hazing or risk management problems. The problem with national organizations is they are too far removed from the day-to-day goings-on of their individual chapters. That's why I believe the greek system at each campus needs to step up and do something themselves (with national organizations support). At best, most national organization chapter's have physical visits (travelling secretaries or similar functioning individuals) twice per year. That's not enough for a comprehensive day-to-day review. Things can be hidden from nationals easier than from other chapters on campus (yes, they still can be hidden, but it's not as easy - the grapevine functions very well on most campuses).
What it needs to do is really consider whether it wants to take on the risk of expanding at certain schools. If an entire campus drinks constantly, there is little reason to believe your chapter at that school will attract the "non-alcoholics". And if you do set up shop at a high risk school, then you have to really, really make sure that your brothers there are on track and educated on hazing and the collective shame we all bear when you take part in it.
Good perspective. Many national organizations are risk-aversive at certain campuses. My personal experience with LXA at recolonizing two campuses bears out your view here. Unfortunately, not all national GLO's are always so thorough in a campus review before planting a campus.
But I'm sorry - I will never, ever accept another fraternity's solution to our problems. And unless sororities really come up with brilliant non-conventional thoughts to fraternity problems, I will laugh and scoff at their recommendations to be pan-hellenic and just outright punish everyone.
-Rudey
|
I think that's part of the problem - there needs to be more of a spirit of cooperation between chapters, as in Benjamin Franklin's "we must all hang together, for we shall surely hang separately" famous quote. Like I've said, we either come up with our own collective solution, or, we will certainly be given a solution by the campus or legislation, that will see the end of greek organizations. I'm not pointing a finger directly at you, Rudey, btw, but your perspective is one I hear all to often - yes, we need to have pride in our own GLO, but, at least on our respective campuses, especially on our campuses where several IFC or Panhel orgs reside, we have to work together to survive and thrive. There is a fine line between a good rivalry and intransigence.
So again, my question remains - it looks as though AEPi (keep in mind this is just ONE chapter on a large campus) turned it around, but, what could the whole greek (or narrow it to IFC if you prefer) system do
together to fix this problem?