Wesleyan University Greek Article...Interesting reading...

[LXAAlum]

Wesleyan U. greek life differs from other schools'
By Davina Harris
The Wesleyan Argus (Wesleyan U.)
02/26/2002

(U-WIRE) MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- Wesleyan University fraternities are an increasingly visible, political and controversial aspect of the University community.

There are varying personal and individual conceptions of these institutions, including the extent to which they monopolize social activities, the rate at which they may or may not impose heterosexist ideologies and whether or not they provide an inclusive social outlet for all members of the community.

However, when comparing campus institutions to fraternities at Franklin & Marshall College, Arizona State University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where 70 percent, 50 percent and 33 percent, respectively, of the student body is involved in the greek system, it is evident their fraternities play a more dominant role in shaping campus social activities, alienating members of the community and maintaining social hierarchies than do fraternities at Wesleyan.

"Frats around the world, especially in the United States, are much different than at Wesleyan," said Dave Whiting '04, a DKE member. "At Wes, they're a lot less intense, especially initiation-wise. If you want to join a frat here, you can. At other schools it's a popularity contest -- you have to be a certain type of person just to join. I don't think I would join a frat at another university."

In cases where the majority of the student body is involved in the greek system, there are limited social outlets for those who reject or are excluded from the frat atmosphere.

At Franklin & Marshall, where 70 percent of the student body belongs to a fraternity or sorority, trying to enter a party without chapter recognition can be nearly impossible.

At ASU, where 50 percent of the student body is a member of a greek organization, many fraternities practice 100 percent bidding (if any brother opposes a particular pledge, he is automatically excluded from joining the fraternity). The result is an exclusive paradox that only allows men to gain access to the mainstream social scene by joining a fraternity while also forcing them to succumb to impossible standards for inclusion.

When asked whether or not his fraternity, Phi Kappa Phi, ever has had a gay member, ASU student Michael Robertson '03 responded, "Hell no. It wouldn't be tolerated."

Similarly, while Wesleyan transfer student Andy Zelmanowitz '04 explained fraternities do not discriminate directly against homosexuals, the frat atmosphere is not at all supportive of homosexuality.

"Second semester, frosh pledge. You go through four months of hazing, and the entire time they're calling you gay. It's pretty humiliating to go through that process, and there's no room for homosexuality. They're weeded out," Zelmanowitz said.

Of the three schools, RPI appears to have the most inclusive social atmosphere. There are a number of bars around campus, which offer an alterative to the fraternity scene.

Chad Singer '02, a member of Phi Gamma Delta at RPI, said most of the fraternities on his campus are heterogeneous and rarely selective about who can attend a party.

In contrast to many schools, Wesleyan offers diverse and unique opportunities for students who are interested in participating in greek life. Psi U, Beta and DKE are representative of more traditional fraternities, while Eclectic and Alpha Delta Phi provide a co-ed option. Chi Psi, which lost its house this year but will regain it in the fall, is an all-male fraternity that offers a co-ed living space.

The resulting greek life is available for those who want it but also eliminates the need to join a frat to enjoy social activities.

"Eclectic prides themselves on being the house that has free space for any group. They're very concerned with incorporating the entire campus into their house. They like to think of being a place where anyone who feels excluded would feel included," said Kevin Cornish '03, a current member of Eclectic.

Hanna Ingber '03 also had a particularly positive experience living in Chi Psi last year. She described how the 15 guys and 12 girls in the house formed a cohesive bond over the year, out of which grew a family-style living space.

"I think that arrogant, ignorant, bigoted, racist, homophobic people are bad. I don't think that the Chi Psi brothers fit into any of those categories," Ingber said.

"The frat situation here is better because you don't have to join," Zelmanowitz said. "There are a number of other social outlets, including house parties, the bars, secret societies, etc. for individuals who reject the greek system."

Members of Eclectic and Chi Psi said both organizations are receptive to gay members of the community, fighting against the vilification of homosexuals by the greek system at many other universities.

"Chi Psi brothers are remarkably open about their sexuality. They definitely love each other," Ingber said.

Although Beta has clashed with Queer Alliance over chalkings in front of the house, they continually resist being categorized as homophobic.

"I don't know if any of my brothers in Beta are gay. I don't think so. But if one of them came out of the closet it wouldn't be a big deal," Kagan said.

University frats also differ from the national norm due to their less domineering social presence.

"It's just a place for people to go and have friends," Cornish said.

Similarly, when asked whether living in Beta was a positive experience, Dan Moger '03 responded, "It's great. I have friends to go to dinner with."

Many students feel the University's progressive and somewhat radical representation of the greek system is the most conducive to a healthy social atmosphere.

"I don't really find the frats here that threatening," said Ross Middleton '04. "Fraternities as an institution definitely need reform. You think about fraternities, you think about hostility towards women. When I go to DKE I don't feel uncomfortable, even though I'm gay, but I'd never go to a fraternity at another school."

Even though many students agree greek life on campus is a large improvement from that at other universities, some argued for further alterations. Some students are not necessarily opposed to fraternities' presence on campus but feel frats become controversial when they impose negative ideologies on other members of the community or openly discriminate against a particular group of people.

"I believe that they have a right to exist, but if they have a reputation for being exclusive or offending members of the community, they need to fix that because that's not what they're there for," said Betsy Narvaez '04

"I think that fraternities are kind of misogynistic. Frats have a history of subjugating women, and you can't really escape that," said Liz Rowland '02 of the Womanist House. "On one hand, you have groups like FemNet, who are people trying to gain back power. Fraternities are kind of celebrating power."

At the same time, however, Rowland acknowledged negativity toward frats does not stem from their existence as an institution but more often from their disregard toward their influence in the community. She described a particularly effective program between Psi U and Womanist House, which was one effort to bridge the gap between the fraternities and other campus groups.

"A lot of frat brothers don't really understand the implications of what they're doing. If you live in a frat you're not necessarily a bad person, but you should consider how your actions may effect other members of the community," Rowland said.

The groups on campus that are resentful of the fraternities continue to debate the necessity of the institutions. F.R.E.E. (Feminist Radicals Engendering Equity) was formed with the express intent to disband fraternities at the University. As a result, a number of fraternity members continue to combat the frequency with which they are condemned.

"At other schools frats are important. The only things we (Beta) do are host parties and spend our own money to let people drink, and we don't ever stop anyone from coming in here. Oddly enough, people are resentful of us," said Eli Kagan '03, a member of Beta.

[Kevlar281]

Is it just me or was that article poorly written? Its just one long page of random quotes jammed in next to each other.

[AlphaGam1019]

lol.

[GammaPhiBabe]

I have a hard time believing that all those quotes are accurate. Do guys really refer to their fraternities as "frats"? I've always heard otherwise.

[dzrose93]

Originally posted by GammaPhiBabe
I have a hard time believing that all those quotes are accurate. Do guys really refer to their fraternities as "frats"? I've always heard otherwise.

I was thinking the exact same thing, GammaPhi.

[lovelyivy84]

I know for a fact that there are a number of BGLO's on the yard at Wesleyan yet they are completely excluded from the article.

Poorly written indeed.

[dekeguy]

Yes, the article struck me as being an odd collection of vaguely related quotes some of which made very little sense. It could well be that these "quotes" were invented to illustrate the theme of the article (whatever that theme was actually supposed to be).
The use of "frats" seemed unusual at best. I was taught that frat was improper and very inappropriate. I think we all remember the comment about how "if you call your fraternity your frat, then do you call..."

[AlphaGam1019]

Originally posted by dekeguy
I think we all remember the comment about how "if you call your fraternity your frat, then do you call..."

LOL, yes I remember that saying very well.

[Optimist Prime]

Which Weslyen? Isn't there one fore every state?

[AlphaGam1019]

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
Which Weslyen? Isn't there one fore every state?

I guess the one in Connecticut

[imsohappythatiama]

This article infuriates me. Not only is it horribly written, it makes the kind of sweeping, unsubstantiated generalizations that it castigates so-called "frats" at other campuses for making. Can you spell hypocritical?

I have written a (polite) letter of complaint to the author, Davina Harris, at her email address:

dharris@wesleyan.edu

I urge you to do the same if you care, like I do, about changing the unfounded views that so many people like Davina Harris have of the Greek system.

Panhellenically,

imsohappythatiama

[amycat412]

Ugh.

"frat atmosphere" fratmosphere?

couldn't resist!

[Tom Earp]

Do the words ineptitude and moronic come to anyone elses minds!

I am a Fraternity member not a Frat Boy!

[tridelta4ever]

Originally posted by GammaPhiBabe
I have a hard time believing that all those quotes are accurate. Do guys really refer to their fraternities as "frats"? I've always heard otherwise.

Took the words right out of my mouth. I don't know ANY fraternity men who would refer to their organization as a "FRAT"...ugh. Wasn't real impressed by that article, but it was interesting nonetheless.

[AOIIBrandi]

I have to agree it was poorly written. Also, how does Beta feel nationally having a brother quoted as saying :

At other schools frats are important. The only things we (Beta) do are host parties and spend our own money to let people drink, and we don't ever stop anyone from coming in here. Oddly enough, people are resentful of us," said Eli Kagan '03, a member of Beta.