To be honest: the first one is rather interesting......... but not in a good way. In a "room for improvement" kind of way
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Sorority girls live up to stereotypes
By Megan Jacobs, CAS '06
I am writing in response to the commentaries from Greek leaders setting "facts straight" about their organizations ("Get facts straight about Greek Life," April 1, pg. 10). Ms. Jasmine C. Marrero wrote "if you have a problem with the Greek system here, that's your business, but next time do your homework before you go making weak arguments with no factual basis. A college senior should know better." Well I did my homework, I have some strong arguments with a factual basis, and I am only a freshman.
In the letters, the Greek leaders claimed they are unfairly stereotyped and do more then just drink and party. The main argument to support this was that the Inter Fraternity Sorority Council has held several community service events. Well, I just happened to attend one of the community service events mentioned (the Charles River cleanup) and found the people there to meet every stereotype I have ever held.
The day began with a breakfast served outside after which everyone proceeded into the Law auditorium. Apparently quite a few people forgot it was a day of cleanup because trash was left all over the place. While in the lecture hall, I listened to the entire audience giggle at the speakers (leaving me to wonder if I was in college or still stuck in high school). They then passed out lunches, took pictures and proceeded to "clean" the river. Admittedly, this was my first time doing a river clean-up; however, I went with the assumption that one should not wear her open-toed Prada shoes with matching purse to do some serious cleaning (several of the "sisters" there did not share this assumption). When we finally did get to the river cleaning, I found myself lagging quite far behind all the other girls in the group. My only guess as to why this happened is that I was the only one who seemed to make it past, or even to the rocks (where most of the trash was). Also, I believe that the event billed as "a day of service" would have been much more aptly named a few hours of service.
So you say I shouldn't base my opinions of Greek organizations on one experience? OK, well how about I use my experience of seeing, or maybe I should say hearing a sorority group in the library every week? A few weeks ago I got to hear one group of girls discussing nose jobs (I got to hear them because they were talking so loudly that I had no choice); but maybe they were all pre-med students working on a group project. (However, that doesn't explain the girl trying on her miniskirt and bending over to decide if it was too short).
In summation, it has been my experience that Greek organizations are nothing more than their stereotypes and the community service events they promote do not come from a desire to help the community, but to make it appear otherwise.
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Frats don't haze or divide campus
By Gregory Weisman, CAS '05; Secretary, Inter Fraternity Sorority Council and Secretary and Treasurer o
In response to the letter "BU Should not start funding Greek life" (April 3, pg. 11), which questioned proposed funding for the Inter Fraternity Sorority Council, I begin with the authors' first argument: he assumes all Greek organizations "participate in things like hazing." No matter how many times Greeks reaffirm their position against hazing, popular cultural stereotypes prevail. Hazing violates the policies of the IFSC, the individual fraternal organizations and the laws of Massachusetts. The members of the fraternities and sororities are aware of this from the moment they begin their associations with the group, and to assume that hazing occurs but is not publicized because of the inherently secretive nature of Greek organizations is an unfair criticism to which there can be no legitimate response. I can confidently say as both an officer of my chapter and the IFSC, hazing is not tolerated at Boston University.
The author's second argument is that funding for the IFSC would inhibit a sense of community on campus. His first reason is that Greeks "generally gravitate toward the same type of people." I am one of 16 members of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at BU, and those 16 represent 12 states, at least seven different ethnic backgrounds and at least five different religious backgrounds. I am certain that the larger fraternities and sororities can boast even greater diversity. To say that Greeks are all the same is simply a falsity. Next, the notion that funding for Greeks would cause a division between the Greek organizations is preposterous since the funds would be given to the IFSC — not the individual chapters — so any use would require the continued cooperation of all Greek organizations.
I am unclear as to the logic behind the argument made that funding would increase the division between Greeks and non-Greeks. The author states that such division is not perceivable now, but if Greek life gets bigger, it will occur. He offers no justification for this assumption, simply passing it off as fact. However, most universities have significantly larger Greek systems and a stronger sense of campus community. A larger Greek system can only serve to increase the sense of community on campus, as it serves as a common interest of more students, and as a more powerful group on campus to promote their interests.
The IFSC is the largest student group on campus, and so it would only seem fair that a portion of the Undergraduate Student Fee, which is comprised of more funds from Greeks than any other organization, go back to those students. Greek life fosters leadership and cooperation among its members, while encouraging academic success, campus activity and community service. Events like the Day of Service and the Dance Marathon are only examples of IFSC philanthropies; they do not consider the many activities done by the individual chapters. The leadership, cooperative and interpersonal skills that involvement in Greek organizations teach are invaluable tools and certainly justify their continued success on this campus.
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Note: the slate in question "Trust 2 won the student gov't election. Turnout is about the same, per capita, as for a US Presidential election.
Greeks lack funds despite eligibility
By Caroline Preis, COM '02; Former VP of Financial Affairs, Student Union and Former Recruitment Chair
Pro/anti, ill-informed, tacky and a few good points have dripped from the editorial pages of The Daily Free Press regarding funding for Boston University's Greek community. As past Vice President of Finance for the Student Union and a past Executive Board member of Panhellenic Council, I offer a clarification.
The campaign for Greek funding has lost an essential element since its presentation during a 2001-2002 Executive Board meeting. The Greek Community, specifically Panhellenic and the Inter Fraternity Sorority Council, meet the eligibility requirements for Student Union Allocations Board funding, yet aren't deemed eligible. This conundrum motivated me to subject myself to a year-long analysis, filled of tribulations, to alleviate this contradicting action. We never lobbied for "more money to the Greeks," we advocated "Greek Eligibility." While the latter isn't nearly as sexy in a campaign, I do believe deeming Greeks ineligible for SUAB funding is a flagrant violation of the by-laws. Whether one is for or against funding is completely irrelevant; being a fair and upstanding leader with Student Union funds should ensure upholding the bylaws of SUAB.
I place no blame on students for their lack of knowledge concerning the Greek community, as I know absolutely nothing about the bylaws of the BU Debate Society. However, I know they are eligible for SUAB funding. One may get hot and bothered by the audacity of an alumni for comparing a fraternity to a debate society, yet I do not feel it my place to place a "worth" on either organization and neither did the authors of the SUAB by-laws.
These by-laws determine the disbursement for approximately 65 percent of the Student Union Undergraduate Fee. Clearly stated, eligibility requirements for SUAB funding:
1) The group must be registered with the Student Activities Office.
2) The group must be open to all full-time BU undergraduate students.
3) The group must have an executive board comprised only full-time BU undergraduate students.
4) The group must operate in accordance with all university policies by SAO.
Simply put, Panhellenic and the Inter Fraternity Sorority Council are registered with SAO. Panhellenic and IFSC events, such as recruitment and the Greek BBQ, may not appeal to all, but they are open to all (big distinction). IFSC and Panhellenic E-boards are comprised only of full-time BU students. IFSC and Panhellenic are in accordance with all university Policies by SAO. If they are found in violation — hazing or boozing — obviously they would no longer be eligible. (Currently, IFC/Panhellenic are in good standing with SAO and allowed to host events.)
Having served as an elected student leader, I had the obligation to represent my constituents, and I would hope any victorious slate would leave their personal prejudices aside, thus abiding and advocating the SUAB bylaws. For those filled with passion for or against Greek Funding, take y'all's passion off the pages of The Daily Free Press and become a member of SUAB.
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Adrienne (PNAM-2003)
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