Quote:
Originally posted by chopper816
well, there was a motion proposed at the last ga about dropping the name fraternity to brotherhood, and that failed, so stuff is proposed without the needed number of votes to pass, no one at regionals liked that one. i dont think the make up of the active chapters now would pass any motion about going dry. all the brothers from other chapters get sick of talk about us going dry. im not trying to glorify alcohol, but im facing reality, its apart of the college experience, the fraternal experience, and people will go down in a blaze of glory to keep this fraternity non-dry. if any of you have been at a conclave or any conference, it shows that guys like their beer. also, ive been told by alumni that measures like this have been proposed before, and failed, itll do so now. we either lose a few chapters by them being stupid, or lose even more chapters by going dry, thats the choice.
im not trying to to get into some big argument about alcohol, im just strongly opposed to going dry, and i know itll do more harm then good.
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The name change was not a "paradigm shift" as going dry would be - I think that John is talking about those radical changes to the fraternity that don't make it to the GA floor unless the votes are locked. For example, the switch from pledging to associate members - THAT was a BIG shift in the way we operate.
What I see coming is a shift BACK to where fraternities were policy wise - alcohol has not always been a part of the fraternal existence. LXA was dry until sometime in the late 60's, I believe.
I'm not an advocate of going totally dry, but, the more ASU's that happen, the more it will become clear that we simply can't AFFORD not to be dry - that is where the pressure is coming from with several fraternities - and yes, many, like Phi Delts will have major problems getting the initiatives completely implemented - it will take time. Look at LXA and NIU - they still had the pledge philosophy, and I would suspect there are still chapters out there secretly engaged in that practice, not the AM experience we are supposed to do. But, it will make it easier to weed out those chapters that choose not to adopt new measures - it will make internal control more efficient.
It's a part of human nature to be not open to change. But, look where the fraternal world has come from when faced with "life-threatening" challenges: hazing - we've made tremendous progress, all GLO's. There are isolated incidents, but, it's not the widespread "accepted" practice that it once was. The 1960's - Vietnam - everyone kept saying fraternities would phase out with the culture changes the nation was enduring: we're still here. In loco parentis: we survived eliminating that practice. WWI, WWII, when greeks were for the most part shut down: we came back. The most dynamic and exciting thing about brotherhood is that it is adaptable, and overcomes obstacles- even our Ritual teaches that, among other things. I think LXA changing, and allowing alcohol onto chapter property and at events is something that will eventually have to change. Alcohol unfortunately a part of the college experience, but it doesn't necessarily have to be part of the Greek experience - we don't have the monopoly on beer bashes, nor should we: we should be adopting the practice of positive social experiences, not something inherently self-destructive. The ASU case will probably resonate as much as the Rutgers and Iowa State incidents of decades past. We must be willing to admit our mistakes, and sincerely try to mend our ways.
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