Verdict is in on UNH fraternities
By Genevieve Giambanco
ggiambanco@seacoastonline.com
DURHAM - University of New Hampshire students agreed that fraternities on campus have a general reputation of fostering inappropriate sexual behavior. On whether that reputation is deserved, their reactions were mixed.
The issue of sexual assault and harassment at UNH fraternities received attention recently after a student received a death threat after condemning fraternity members for committing sexual assault in an opinion piece she wrote in UNH�s student newspaper.
The student, Whitney Williams, is also a member of the Feminist Action League on campus. The league is not affiliated with UNH.
In an interview with the Portsmouth Herald this past week, Williams said she wrote the column on behalf of herself and "all women, specifically college women."
In Williams� opinion piece, "Rape and other amusing trifles," that appeared Sept. 24 in The New Hampshire, she wrote, "Women are raped and sexually coerced there regularly. Frat boys are not our friends. They live like they are entitled to our bodies. ... They are willing to trick us, drug us, coerce us into sexual acts, gang-rape us, rape us, otherwise prey on us."
This past week, Williams received a number of e-mails that harshly criticized her column. The pornographic death threat was among her e-mails and she has pressed charges.
Williams said the hostile reaction she received can be taken as a sign she has spoken the truth.
"It hit a nerve," she said. "I think that needs to be examined more."
Students on campus were asked this past week whether UNH fraternities have a reputation for sexist behavior, sexual assault and harassment.
"There wouldn�t be a reputation if there hadn�t been cases in the past," said junior Laurel Gaudet.
"I personally think that they don�t try very hard to negate that image," commented senior Andrew Zarbo.
Sophomore Amanda Lang said some individual fraternity houses merit this reputation, but most do not.
"There are some (fraternity houses) that support that reputation," she said.
Alpha Phi sorority member Sarah Coleman said UNH fraternities are trying to prevent sexual harassment and assault from occurring.
"I know that they�re actually trying to be responsible," she said.
Students also commented on whether they thought sexual assault and harassment were more likely to happen at a fraternity.
"I think it provides a place for it to happen, and even if it�s not a fraternity brother, it could happen there," said sophomore Meredith Holt.
Students were also asked if they thought the fraternity community fosters a sexist environment where women are objectified.
Gaudet said she and her friends do not hang out at fraternities, and therefore didn�t have enough experience to comment.
"I�ve never been that close to it, so I wouldn�t know," she said.
Zarbo said he has been to UNH fraternity parties and has known some fraternity members.
"I don�t think most of them respect women," he said about UNH fraternity brothers.
Only those with strong characters do not treat and think of women as objects, he said.
Lang said a sexist environment where harassment and assault happen more often depends on the individual fraternity.
Some fraternities are sexist, she said, "but you could go to a different one and be in a completely different environment where you do feel safe."
"At the majority of the frats, I would feel safe," Lang said.
She said her fraternity brother friends look out for their women friends.
"They will honestly tell you, �don�t go to that frat, that�s a sketchy frat,�" she said.
Junior Ashley Sperber said she has seen sexual harassment and sexist behavior within fraternities at other colleges, "but not so much on (the UNH) campus."
Asked if sexist thinking and behavior at fraternities on campus fosters more rape and sexual harassment, junior Matt Garneau said he believes sexual assault and harassment are more likely to happen at a fraternity party.
The fraternity community is a group on campus that has the biggest parties and those parties receive the most exposure; many women go to them, Garneau said.
"It�s more likely to happen as opposed to a smaller party with women and college girls," he said.
"I would say that it would be worse in a fraternity," said freshman Ben Amirault.
When three fraternities were contacted on whether the houses foster inappropriate sexual behavior, members from Alpha Tau Omega and Sigma Beta gave no comment, and Sigma Nu�s representative was unavailable for comment.
Student Body Vice President and Sigma Nu brother Charles Knuth said he disagreed that fraternities foster a culture and environment that encourage sexual assault.
"Based on my personal experience, I find that statement to be untrue," he said.
His three years at the university and his friendships with women are reasons he arrived at this conclusion, he said.
"I feel sad that this is how Whitney perceives the Greek community and the system in general," he said.
The Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Program (SHARPP) on campus took reports of sexual assault with penetration, sexual assault or attempted sexual assault from 51 accusers from July 2003 to June 2004.
"Our numbers show that of the 51 sexual assaults, only three are reported to have occurred at Greek (fraternity) houses," said SHARPP program director Mary Mayhew. "The majority of cases reported to us occurred in residence halls, off campus, at home or work, both in New Hampshire and out of state,"
Mayhew also noted many sexual assaults likely go unreported.
In response to SHARPP�s statistics, columnist Williams said although most of the cases were reportedly committed outside the Greek system, she believes the assaults were influenced by fraternities on campus being looked up to by the UNH community.
Fraternity brothers in general think they are a special group entitled to money, power, political careers and women as objects, Williams contends.
"Those are the things that they feel they are entitled to - (that they are) respected community members is a huge problem," she said.
Steve Pappajohn, coordinator for Greek affairs, said the fraternity community does have a negative reputation.
"We are a higher risk group" for sexual violence and harassment," he acknowledged.
Given that, he said, fraternity members are actively trying to combat sexual assault and harassment.
"I think we�re doing more programming, prevention and awareness training than any other large recognized group on campus," Pappajohn said.
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