Obligations to Tell???

Ok y'all, i gotta question for ya. This is a hypothetical situation that i've been thinking about.

Let's say that Rush/Recruitment has just ended at your school. One of the rush nights, you have documented evidence that another fraternity or sorority violated the no alcohol rule. Now, your fraternity/sorority has just completed 2 semesters of probation and are finally in good standing with IFC/NPC again. Do you take the attitude of 'well, we just got screwed, so lets screw someone else?' or do you take your evidence to that chapter's president and say, "Look man(or woman), if we have access to this, we're sure someone else does, we're not going to say anything, but i'd be prepared to cover your ass"

Basically what it comes down to is this....do you follow the letter of the law, and basically narc on these fellow Greeks? or do you turn the other cheek and bring it to their attention, in the process hopefully fostering a more friendly relationship with that org in the future? I understand that sounds kind of bad, but the reasoning behind that is that we are all Greek, and if you say, 'hey guys, we don't want y'all to get into the trouble we did, so be more careful in the future.' you come out looking like the bigger people. The flip side to this coin is that the fact that your organization is constantly under the microscope due to it's recent probation, and subsequently must adhere to the rules a lot more than the other chapters on campus.

What would y'all do?

Kitso
KS 361

[sororitygirl2]

I sort of feel that rules are there for a reason and if people continue to get away with breaking them (and if others cover for them), they will keep breaking them until something really bad happens. However, I also believe that when you have a problem, you should deal with the person who you have a problem with before you go above their head and "tatlle." So, if it is a small or first-time offense... talk to the chapter. If it is a bahavioral pattern that could become dangerous... consult the higher-ups.

[33girl]

Don't narc. Just let them know, as you said, that if you have access to this info it is probably floating about. If you have already been on probation the last thing you need is for your chapter rep to go from "troublemakers" to "tattletales."

On the other hand, if they're making snuff films in the basement with 14 year olds, report their butts.

[Opie25]

Honestly, I can see where you are coming from and some of the thoughts that are actually going through your head (I think).

I don't think you should report them because, "you got screwed" I do think, however you do owe it to them, yourself, and the whole greek community to let someone know. We have to hold each other accountable for our actions, good or bad....what way we choose to do this is up to us individually or as a community...but there should be something...ya know?

Maybe the answer is simply going to them like you metioned and saying, "Look, this is what I know. It may make your cahpter look bad, I don't want you to get in trouble, but just wanted you to know that I knew about the situation, so other people might know also. "

OR

Deciding to give an "anonymous" account of the occurence to the IFC/PC president, and/or greek advisor or judicial person. Most likely if they just have your anonymous account they will simply just call the chapter or person in and let them know that they have heard of the situation, and ask them if they would want to clarify or discuss it further. Then it is out of your hands, and you have done your part...and hopefully won't feel guilty about not doing anything.

So, I guess bottom line what I am saying whatever you do...don't ignore the situation....you should definately at the very least confront the situation so that it doesn't happen again, and it will hopefully deter them from future issues of that type.

Thanks for listening, good luck!

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I really think that good inter-greek relations are important. I think that the President of your org should talk to the President of the other org. Alert them to the fact that you are aware of the violations and that others might be, etc. Don't narc. That's only a last resort response if the org continues to blantantly disregard the rules established by NPC/IFC or your campus.

[Pi Kapp 142]

If it is the first time you noticed it let them know you knwo. If it is the second or more bst 'em. We Greeks are constently under the spotlight for our behavior and constantly being warned of the dangers of alcohal. They know the risks, they are not children.

[Alphasig1514]

I would have to agree with everyone so far in that the best course of action would be to go to the chapter and let them know. That way they know that people are aware of the situation. I know I had to deal with a situation similar to it and it was a very hard decision for me to deal with. I ended up going to the head of Greek Affairs after talking to our advisor and the chapters involved were only notified that their actions were wrong, and told to be very careful of future actions. I know how hard these kind of things can be and you have my support in the very least!

A spire
S eek
A ttain

[Kevlar281]

I wouldn’t say shit to them. Imagine if another GLO turns them in for IFC violations but you’re the only fraternity to openly acknowledge the infractions. They will automatically assume it was you that told but were trying to cover by giving them the heads up.

Thanks all who responded.

Gig 'em,

Kitso
KS 361