Another system bites the dust

[33girl]

Is ATG a fraternity on the campus? If so, why on earth did they agree to this?

The only thing I can recommend is to have unmarked houses - I'm guessing Amherst has old subdivided houses that random students rent apartments in. There's nothing to prevent members of the same fraternity from all living in apartments the same house. I know it's not the same, but it's better than nothing. Plus, it's harder for the school or community to pin something on the "fraternity" houses.

We had nothing but unmarked houses (except for one or two) when I started school 20 years ago, and I honestly think the Greek system was stronger than when everyone started getting official houses.

[GammaZeta]

Yes, ATG is actually a local fraternity based on the Stockbridge (Agriculture) School. The houses they own are part of the corporation. In this deal, I'm pretty sure ATG will survive no matter what considering that most men in the Stockbridge Program join. So a few million dollars in their bank isn't a bad idea.

Amherst is very particular, and in many cases City Hall does not abide by their own laws. There is a specific zoning for fraternity/sororit houses that I'm 100% sure that the town council will NEVER grant to any house anywhere in Amherst.

The reason the Greek community lasted at Umass for so long was the physical presence of frat row. Unmarked or scattered houses just won't be able to cut it I'm afraid.

[Tom Earp]

Sad to hear.

Have called and PMed you.

What?

[john1082]

We have to demonstrate our value every day. If administrators see greater valuve in not having a Greek system then that is what will happen.

Value comes in many forms. We must determine what constitutes value for each of our 'customers' and then present that.

Administrators may find value in orderliness and no problems. They may like the idea of having someone else in the disciplinary change. Whatever they find of value is what we have to present.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by john1082

We have to demonstrate our value every day. If administrators see greater valuve in not having a Greek system then that is what will happen.

Value comes in many forms. We must determine what constitutes value for each of our 'customers' and then present that.

Administrators may find value in orderliness and no problems. They may like the idea of having someone else in the disciplinary change. Whatever they find of value is what we have to present.

John, what many do not realize is that IHQ, Our IHQ, are looking at Zetas who do not want to deem it important enough to heed what Our National Fraterity stands for.


We have one of if not the finest Fraternity as many of us have seen that We have been leaders on many areas and in many arenas.

But, if there are a few Zetas who do not heed the warning signs then so be it.

So, whose fault is it?

The ELCs have a different agenda today than they may have before, but, they are doing a heck of a job now under new leadership.

If a Zeta does not want to agree with the Tenets of LXA, then there is no other judgement than to close them.

Beleive Me, We are not the only ones.

That is what is sad.

[GammaZeta]

Tom, are you still talking about Umass or somewhere else?

I do think that we are beginning to see a significant change in the structure and status of Greek Systems everywhere.

We may be seeing a trend in smaller, more exclusive settings, much like fraternities were in the early part of last century before they started to change. In a few decades, I can imagine fraternities being almost exclusively at more well-to-do colleges and universities and viewed more like a social club.

I think it is a cycle. Slowly we are having to go back to the origins of a social club, and then that trend will slowly evovle back into the "Animal House" type that we are more familiar with.

[john1082]

Tom, I have had administrators tell me that fraternities are good because they keep alumni coming back and giving - in other words, we were a potential cash com.

Other administrators see fraternities as something to go after to prove that they (the administrators) are truly focused on academics and not frivolities.

Yet another group sees no need for a social fraternity and would prefer to generate group 'conciousness' through ethnic and lifestyle groups, not traditional fraternities and sororities.

In each of these examples, what we believe takes a back seat, in practical terms, to what the administrations believe.

What we have to do is demonstrate value to the administrations - playing by our rules is of no value to the administration in example #2 above because they see no value in the operation of a greek system and great value in getting rid of it to prove their toughness. In example #3, our values have nothing to do with generating ethic or lifestyle identity.

For all their statements espousing leadership and the like, we must judge administrators by their actions, not their words. The committment of a university is seen through their actions, not their words. If it takes 13 months to replace a greek affairs advisor, what message does that send.

BTW, that 13 month example is from Cal State Fullerton! Universities have to keep up their end of the bargain, too. And they are, oftentimes, trying to whittle away at their side while piling more up on our side. At some point a campus simply becomes unworkable as a greek campus.