Oregon: Task Force recommends stopping expansion

[DeltaBetaBaby]

I didn't read it as stopping all expansion forever; I read it as pausing for a bit while more solutions are put in place. If there truly are more rapes taking place within the Greek system, I don't think it's unreasonable to focus efforts there.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

I didn't read it as stopping all expansion forever; I read it as pausing for a bit while more solutions are put in place. If there truly are more rapes taking place within the Greek system, I don't think it's unreasonable to focus efforts there.

I'm not sure how stopping expansion would stop rapes from occurring. The two don't seem to be related at all. And if it's a question of university resources, I don't think we're talking about a zero-sum game.

[Griffins&Quills]

^ that was my thought. I just really don't see how expansion (at any time) and the rape culture are correlated.

[wsucalsigmakapp]

Originally Posted by Griffins&Quills

^ that was my thought. I just really don't see how expansion (at any time) and the rape culture are correlated.

I completely agree, and am glad to see that my thoughts are not alone.

I don't understand how halting both Sigma Kappa and Delta Zeta from expanding will help. I am pretty positive that both organizations have great educational program that put a large emphasis on educating their members on how be responsible with alcohol, and teaching and encouraging their members to watch out for their sisters. How will stopping the expansion result in fewer sex crimes?

[TweedleDee199]

This article gives a little bit of context.

http://dailyemerald.com/2014/10/20/greek-cover/

A psychology professor at the UO conducted a study recently that purports to demonstrate a connection between sexual assault and sorority membership. The methodology is ridiculous, but unfortunately it came at an opportune moment to make a splash, something I imagine said professor realized. After the rape case involving three basketball players last spring the issue of sexual assault on campus began to receive well deserved attention. To compound the issue a string of women reported having date rape drugs mixed into their drinks while attending fraternity parties during spring term. One of these led to a campus crime report sent to students that named a specific fraternity where a woman received a drugged drink. Throw that together with the number of women hospitalized after bid day last year and it isn't surprising that the Greek name at Oregon is mud to many people right now. Yet we're growing, and that apparently scares\ angers the hell out of some people. Is sexual assault an issue in the UO FSL community? Hands down. Is it more prevalent than among non-affiliated students? I'm not convinced.

http://registerguard.com/rg/news/loc...tact.html.csp#
The Dean of Students notes in this one that he doesn't want the study to overshadow positive aspects of Greek Life and hopes to keep expanding.

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by Griffins&Quills

^ that was my thought. I just really don't see how expansion (at any time) and the rape culture are correlated.

It is merely a convenient scapegoat and tool for anti-greek administrations.

[Griffins&Quills]

^THAT I can see

[DrPhil]

I think this makes sense. It is an institutional (rather than GLO-organizational) version of a moratorium.

It is no different than when businesses, schools, and so forth say "no new hires until we figure out how to handle our current employees (pay, benefits, comradere, etc...there are employees who get pissed when there are new hires before issues that impact current employees have been addressed and resolved)".

[Griffins&Quills]

Okay but expansion and sexual violence have no correlation, I think that's the point that's being made. Stopping expansion won't have any impact on the sexual violence rate because expansion has nothing to do with it. Education is what needs to happen to correct the problem.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by Griffins&Quills

Okay but expansion and sexual violence have no correlation, I think that's the point that's being made. Stopping expansion won't have any impact on the sexual violence rate because expansion has nothing to do with it. Education is what needs to happen to correct the problem.

There is a fixed amount of university resources devoted to Greek Life. Prioritizing education or whatever else may go into rape prevention means fewer resources for other things, including expansion.

Further, it sounds like there is a perception right now that the Greek system at OU has a rape problem. I don't know that I would want to be the group standing on the quad trying to attract new members under those circumstances anyway.

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

There is a fixed amount of university resources devoted to Greek Life. Prioritizing education or whatever else may go into rape prevention means fewer resources for other things, including expansion.

Yep and that's the correlation. There is no need to devote resources to expand when there are perceived issues with the existing campus entities.

[33girl]

Sorority women aren't the only ones who go to fraternity parties. If they really want to stop rape they should stop admitting women to the university!! Or maybe it would be better to not admit men...or maybe it's those dogs wearing bandannas...oh, never mind.

[WCsweet<3]

Honestly, when I saw this the other night, I was angry and just wanted to post it to see others responses. Thanks everyone. I'm right there with you. The administration is generally fairly positive towards greek life, but there are those who harbor negative feelings.

Greek life at UO does continue to rise with another record breaking year of PNMs and bids. Even if they decide to not let us expand, chapters will continue to grow. I wondered a lot about the results of the study as well. Since sexual assault is more often under reported, I wonder how many of the sorority women feel more supported to come out and talk about it? Or at least admit it? Even admitting one's assault on a piece of paper/computer is too difficult for some victims...

[AGDee]

You bring up a great point WCsweet. If you punish women's groups for rapes on campus then they will be less likely to report rapes in the future. Interesting way to handle the problem? Shut the victims up instead of dealing with the rapists.

[DrPhil]

I missed where this only applies to women's groups. I was under the impression there is no expansion at all; and this only currently applies to women's groups because the women's groups happen to be the only ones currently attempting to expand.