Okay, here's my problem with this whole thing. I completely agree that we greeks need to remain educated on the important issues surrounding hazing and alcohol abuse in fraternaties and sororities. No one on this site is going to suggest for a minute that it does not exist. But there is one major problem. If XYZ in cityland gets closed for hazing, it makes XYZ everywhere look bad.
This reminds me of a huge expose 20/20 (I think) did on a hazing incident that caused the death of one of the pledges pledging a certain fraternity. It was a horrible tragic story, and forever tainted the name of the Fraternity involved. The story would have been just as effective by telling the story as an example, but leaving out the name of the actual fraternity. Countless other threads on this site alone have discussed the differences chapter to chapter, state to state, even country to country. Yes, it is true that every chapter of every greek org should consider the ramifications of their actions on the greater organization, beyond the bounds of their chapter. But should I be embarrased to say I belong to XYZ because of what some idiots in cityland did, when I live in nowheresville, thousands of miles away? One bad seed should not destroy the name of an entire organization. Singling out chapters and schools of organizations who have idiots running the show only speaks badly of the school mentioned and the greater organization. Share the horror stories if need be. Maybe we all need a wake up call now and again to remind us of what can happen or of what does happen. I will not debate the merits of sharing these stories. But what good does it do to single out the names of the particular school and Fraternity or soritity involved? If I hear a chapter at whatsville was closed for abuse of alcohol, it won't have anymore impact for me where that school was or what org was involved.
It is for percisely this reason that my school does not recognize the greek system on my campus. Because one person, or one chapter, can forever taint the name of an entire school, or an entire organization. That is a potential that I, as a greek, and as an aluma, would hate to see happen to my organization, or to anyone else's.
[This message has been edited by gphi2k (edited June 17, 2001).]
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