Quote:
Originally posted by Firehouse
Tom is absolutely right, but he's talking primarily about NIC fraternities, not black fraternities and sororities. I don't know the internal politics of HBCUs, but just as a newspaper reader I can tell you that I have never, ever seen a negative article about a black sorority. I've always attributed that to the unique structure of black sororities and their relationships with their alumni and civic work in their communities. Black fraternities on the other hand generate both the best press an the worst press of all fraternities. Again, I attribute the good press to their closely-held alumni organizations and their civic programs. The bad publicity is always - always - about hazing. And the bad publicity about black fraternity hazing is the worst anywhere.
What Tom is talking about is the low-level (not always low-level) assaults against NIC fraternities in the form of oppressive rules and regulations, deferred rush, "certification" programs, bullying by self-important administrators, imposition of arbitrary and unreasonably heavy-handed requirements, threats of de-recognition without any legal basis, refusal to allow expansion, artifical assessment and valuation programs, required (involuntary) community servitude, and group punishment for individual acts.
Several prominent fraternities are no longer members of NIC for this very reason: NIC's reluctance to lead the fight against oppression. I think Phi Delt and Sig Ep are no longer members. Pike and SAE had withdrawn but came back into the organization.
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I appreciate your take on this. I have read bad press about NPHC sororities regarding hazing. There is a more recent incident that has been discussed as well.
I do agree that fraternities, in general, get most of the bad press. NPHC fraternities receive bad press for hazing and non-NPHC fraternities receive bad press for hazing and for alcohol violations. Unfortunately, when many people think about the frivolousness of college life and binge drinking at frat parties, non-NPHC organizations are unfairly given "credit." People overlook the positive and that is a shame.
I see now what Tom meant and I can not think of other alternatives, especially since I am not aware of all of the regulations. It is difficult to be a supportive national body or umbrella organization when hazing and alcohol continue to be issues. I do think that organizations should be instrumental in getting the service programs, and not just the social programs, highlighted in the community
NPHC organizations in general have administrative issues on the campus, local, and national level. But, these are issues that members are constantly dealing with within organization.