Contrary to an above comment, Tufts Students for Justice in Palestine and the SJP network does NOT issue a formal stance one state versus two state. I wish Hillel would reconsider its stance and then perhaps this ever-so-desired "dialogue" between the two groups could actually occur.
One state is also NOT the dissolution of Israel--the dissolution of a state built upon privilege based on religious-ethnic identity and a state perpetuating institutionalized racism, yes, that is an accurate depiction of a one-state solution. The land between the river and the sea can still be a homeland for the Jewish people without the current injustices against the Palestinian people. If naysayers of one-state are happy with the situation as is and believe this system of apartheid, oppression, and colonialism to be the ideal Jewish State, than that is a separate issue altogether.

Great show. Definitely don't know what your talking about. ABC renews for a season two

1996 Wildlife Protection Act ended body traps for fur-bearing animals - wtf does this have to do with free range meat? your rambling diatribe is incoherent, your ideas convoluted, and your opinion is clearly irrational, based solely on the adjectives you incessantly use. you indeed mised class, Dan Mac Gilvray.

The elite students at Tufts University, who took away many of Massachusetts missing class family's free range meat and forced them to eat mass-produced meat that is filled with E. coli are at it again.

How much are the poor going to pay after Students who are enrolled in the "Environmental Justice and U.S. Literature class" taught by English Professor Elizabeth Ammons pass the word about their version of free range meat? It may be cool for some elite Tufts students to try and change the system; however, the last time Elite Tufts students change the system it cost poor families free range food to feed the family and income to heat their homes.

Just as now, elite Tufts student and a faculty member help organized The Massachusetts Wildlife protection Act of 1996 using another non-scientific lens and a million dollar deceptive advertising practices that forced poor in rural Massachusetts into begging at food pantries to feed their families while the elite Tufts students return home wallowing in victory.

mr parker - you probably should have had a bro proofread your comment. you perpetuate the stereotype quite nicely on your own.

@Big Elephant
As someone who joined greek life, originally with negative view of fraternities, I am proud to say that I was made the man I am today based on the ideals I was taught. For starters I would never insult a group of men, that I have had very limited interactions with, as "morally depraved group of boys, who contribute to society in the most superficial way, and represent humanity at its worst." If you had a bad experience with greek life, I am truly sorry things did not work out, but that gave you no right to call me "morally deprived."
From my experience, people who make these judgements are usually doing so based of the stereotypical "frat party" synonymous with binge drinking and chaos. Something I have always found funny about this is that most of those "morally deprived" individuals you see are non-greeks who paid money to get into a party. As unfortunate as it is that some frats have to resort to throwing these parties; I personally do not agree with them, but it is a way to pay for all the supplies needed for charity fund raisers. The people who you are judging and insulting are your fellow classmates that were so desperate to party they resorted to going to a frat house and paying money. I always get a kick out of it because the people that hate going to them are usually the ones funding the fraternity's projects the most. Irony, but don't worry like I said the money you give to us is actually reinvested in these $800 dollar charity events your so disappointed with. Who knows though, you might have just watch animal house and now can be a self proclaimed expert on greek life at tufts.
If you want to congratulate yourself for flossing your teeth in the morning go for it. Or if you want to congratulate yourself for posting a comment that perpetuates a stereotype that greeks are moral scum go for it. I personally do not care anymore because I know I have done nothing wrong and have lived my life to a very high standard. I consider myself a gentleman and am always willing to help anyone in need, regardless of their opinion of me. As someone that does not drink and is also greek (i know jaw dropping but we exist) I was never forced to drink during any pledging events or even as a brother. Maybe its because I had morals along with the fraternity I joined.
Also I heard that the soccer teams haze their freshman by making them run a mile naked. I also heard Tufts football does drugs and hooker parties after every big win. Stop spreading rumors and acting so self righteous in subjects you have no experience with.

@Big Elephant
As someone who joined greek life, originally with negative view of fraternities, I am proud to say that I was made the man I am today based on the ideals I was taught. For starters I would never insult a group of men, that I have had very limited interactions with, as "morally depraved group of boys, who contribute to society in the most superficial way, and represent humanity at its worst." If you had a bad experience with greek life, I am truly sorry things did not work out, but that gave you no right to call me "morally deprived."
From my experience, people who make these judgements are usually doing so based of the stereotypical "frat party" synonymous with binge drinking and chaos. Something I have always found funny about this is that most of those "morally deprived" individuals you see are non-greeks who paid money to get into a party. As unfortunate as it is that some frats have to resort to throwing these parties; I personally do not agree with them, but it is a way to pay for all the supplies needed for charity fund raisers. The people who you are judging and insulting are your fellow classmates that were so desperate to party they resorted to going to a frat house and paying money. I always get a kick out of it because the people that hate going to them are usually the ones funding the fraternity's projects the most. Irony, but don't worry like I said the money you give to us is actually reinvested in these $800 dollar charity events your so disappointed with. Who knows though, you might have just watch animal house and now can be a self proclaimed expert on greek life at tufts.
If you want to congratulate yourself for flossing your teeth in the morning go for it. Or if you want to congratulate yourself for posting a comment that perpetuates a stereotype that greeks are moral scum go for it. I personally do not care anymore because I know I have done nothing wrong and have lived my life to a very high standard. I consider myself a gentleman and am always willing to help anyone in need, regardless of their opinion of me. As someone that does not drink and is also greek (i know jaw dropping but we exist) I was never forced to drink during any pledging events or even as a brother. Maybe its because I had morals along with the fraternity I joined.
Also I heard that the soccer teams haze their freshman by making them run a mile naked. I also heard Tufts football does drugs and hooker parties after every big win. Stop spreading rumors and acting so self righteous in subjects you have no experience with.

@Big Elephant
As someone who joined greek life, originally with negative view of fraternities, I am proud to say that I was made the man I am today based on the ideals I was taught. For starters I would never insult a group of men, that I have had very limited interactions with, as "morally depraved group of boys, who contribute to society in the most superficial way, and represent humanity at its worst." If you had a bad experience with greek life, I am truly sorry things did not work out, but that gave you no right to call me "morally deprived."
From my experience, people who make these judgements are usually doing so based of the stereotypical "frat party" synonymous with binge drinking and chaos. Something I have always found funny about this is that most of those "morally deprived" individuals you see are non-greeks who paid money to get into a party. As unfortunate as it is that some frats have to resort to throwing these parties; I personally do not agree with them, but it is a way to pay for all the supplies needed for charity fund raisers. The people who you are judging and insulting are your fellow classmates that were so desperate to party they resorted to going to a frat house and paying money. I always get a kick out of it because the people that hate going to them are usually the ones funding the fraternity's projects the most. Irony, but don't worry like I said the money you give to us is actually reinvested in these $800 dollar charity events your so disappointed with. Who knows though, you might have just watch animal house and now can be a self proclaimed expert on greek life at tufts.
If you want to congratulate yourself for flossing your teeth in the morning go for it. Or if you want to congratulate yourself for posting a comment that perpetuates a stereotype that greeks are moral scum go for it. I personally do not care anymore because I know I have done nothing wrong and have lived my life to a very high standard. I consider myself a gentleman and am always willing to help anyone in need, regardless of their opinion of me. As someone that does not drink and is also greek (i know jaw dropping but we exist) I was never forced to drink during any pledging events or even as a brother. Maybe its because I had morals along with the fraternity I joined.
Also I heard that the soccer teams haze their freshman by making them run a mile naked. I also heard Tufts football does drugs and hooker parties after every big win. Stop spreading rumors and acting so self righteous in subjects you have no experience with.

"Like Samuel Daniel's Mar. 14 op−ed entitled "No one at this school is racist," Border's op−ed exhibits a lack of experience or interest in truly investigating the issues at hand."

Because frat boys are so similar to oppressed minorities.

I wonder what she would think about families who cannot have children biologically and thus adopt two girls and no boys. Or families that have three biological sons but do not adopt a daughter to ensure co-edness... Is that inherently anti-feminist? Also what about women's colleges, such as Wellesley, Smith, Simmons, Bard, Radcliffe, Mout Holyoke, etc...? Are they anti-feminist? It sucks that Lauren was restricted by a word-limit but to imply that any type of gender-specific group is a negative thing is naive and not well-thought-out.

to big elephant: how are men and women who choose to join a brotherhood or sisterhood proving to you that they aren't good people. And how dare you knock the philanthropic work of 13% of YOUR campus. What have you done that is better? I'm sure the organizations that receive the money raised by these student leaders are incredibly grateful for it. If you don't like or agree with Greek Life, then do so quietly, because you'll have 13% of your own campus against you. That being said, great article brother Ballentine. L&R

To the comment below, unless the Greek system has stopped separating men from women within the last year, she is still justified in commenting upon the system, and her arguments hold. I also think it wasn't her fault a lot of people didn't get what she was saying. She was restricted to a word-limit and people were so quick to defend their organizations they didn't slow down and read the important qualifying words she used or think about her arguments all that logically. I think it's time for the system to stop hating on one person who wrote about an opinion that isn't even original.

Lauren,
You are currently not an active student on this campus, and have not been for a year. The Greek community at Tufts has made great strides over this past year with our new, fantastic Greek Director, to try to leave behind the negative stereotypes and to show Tufts what a positive institution our Greek system really is. So before you go throwing stones and then defending your right to throw those stones, please make the effort to at least return to campus for a little while and learn about the Greek system. You haven't seen us for a year. Things change.

I'm glad that you clarified your previous op-ed. I hope that the comments that you have made will spark a conversation throughout the Greek community and provide a wake-up call to many of our chapters who do need to change their "traditions".

As a feminist, I still don't think you understand the purpose of separating genders. Most of the 22 NPC sororities were founded upon feminist ideals and to support women at universities when simply educating women was considered controversial. The founders of my women's fraternity were very active in the women's suffrage movement, labor rights, and many other social issues. Women's fraternities were developed at a time when there was total and complete separation of men and women at universities and each provided support to their respective genders. I understand that holding on to this tradition may seem archaic, however, having an all-female or all-male group can be beneficial and meet the needs for many members of our university. It all depends on the person. Some members of the community find support in a capella groups, while others find support on sports teams, and some find support in a religious group. When I joined the Greek community, I wanted a support system from a group of women who could understand my struggles that I was experiencing in college. There are some things that I just don't want to share with my close guy friends because they will never understand what it is like being a woman in a male-dominated society, just as I will never understand what it's like to be a male. Until we get to a point in society in which there is no more discrimination based on gender, then all-male and all-female fraternities have a place on college campuses.

I don't think the problem is the separation of the genders, but rather, we need more options for Greek life. While we do have one co-ed fraternity on our campus, it doesn't exactly meet all the needs that other fraternities and sororities provide. I can imagine that some students want the national network that NPC and IFC member chapters provide and ATO of Massachusetts doesn't quite provide that. There are many national co-ed fraternities out there that do have national networks that many students are looking for. I think it would be wonderful to bring some of these organizations to campus, but the process of bringing one to campus needs to start from students. Members of the Tufts community who want this type of organization need to start it.

This diversifying of the Greek community doesn't stop with providing co-ed fraternities, but we also need to give more support to multicultural Greek organizations. While Tufts is one of the schools in the charter for many of these Boston-regional organizations, it has become difficult for them to recruit members because of lack of funds and lack of support from Tufts.

I hope that one day, the Tufts Greek community will be able to meet the need for all the students who currently want what Greek organizations can provide, but they just haven't found it in the current Greek community.

@Ter, his name is Blake Michael- commenting isn't as anonymous as people think, the name associated with your account shows up next to your comment on the sidebar.

@Big Elephant. If you have this supposedly scandalous information, why not divulge it? Too cowardly to post under your own name, you prattle on about supposedly salacious events taking place at the author's fraternity during the pledging process. Why not say it here in the Daily, and let in some fresh air? If the pledging process is so dreadful, wouldn't you be doing a service to prospective pledges, warning them before they get in too deep? All of this anecdotal evidence. Why not enlighten us?

"you are still part of a morally depraved group of boys, who contribute to society in the most superficial way, and represent humanity at its worst."

Who died and made you the Pope, anyway? Yeah, they sometimes goof off. That's college. I'm pretty sure that you don't (or didn't, if you're an alum) spend your free time singing "Jesus Loves Me, Yes I Know" in Goddard Chapel. By whose estimation are you measuring their "moral depravity?" Your passing of judgement on them for enjoying themselves is exactly what Tufts' founder, Hosea Ballou, preached against: check for planks in your own eye pointing out the motes in the eyes of others.

As for the $800, how much money have your extracurricular groups been raising lately? I'm part of a social justice organization at Tufts, and I saw $800 as a fortune when raised on this incredibly over-programmed campus. It seems that they can't win: if they just party you condemn them for that. But, when they try to do something good and raise some money, you pooh-pooh that, as well.

What a foul, smarmy, concern-trolling comment. I hope visitors to the Daily's website don't take your bad attitude to be that of the average Tufts student. Tufts is better than that.

Don't forget the INSANE increase in Presidential election voting!

Actually the resolution does not mention any ban on speech. It in fact " unequivocally affirms the right of all students to freedom of speech and freedom of expression." The resolution does not say that Tufts can ban "hate speech." There is no free speech exception for "hate speech." So, Garcia is incorrect if his comment was reported correctly.

Sometimes hateful speech is so severe that it becomes one of the real exceptions, like a true threat, but again there's no blanket exception for "hate speech." What some people call "hate speech" are exactly the kind of "unpopular opinions" that the resolution explicitly protects.

I am a '92 alum, reading the exchange of opinions with interest. I was a member of a sorority while at Tufts and, 20 years after graduation, am still in regular - frequently daily - contact with my sorority sisters, who are some of my closest friends to this day. The sisters of our chapter have maintained that bond, and I expect it to last a lifetime. In fact, nearly all of the former Tufts classmates with whom I am still in contact were my sorority sisters. To me, that has been the greatest reward of participation in the Greek system.

This all sounds good, Phil. Now, could you describe what pledging is like in your fraternity, specifically at the end of the process? I knew someone that de-pledged your fraternity after witnessing what occurred and discovering what was expected of him on one of the final nights. Perhaps today it's truly as rosy as you describe, but what's that stench in the basement?

You all can be as philanthropic as you want, but if your fraternity behaves the way many do (and the way I have anecdotal evidence to suggest yours did in the past), you are still part of a morally depraved group of boys, who contribute to society in the most superficial way, and represent humanity at its worst.

It's nice that your brothers are in positions of politics and leadership in the Tufts community, however, just the fact alone that one is active in this way doesn't mean that he is a good person, much less that the fraternity that he is coming from is doing good or has has made them a better person. Have you ever noticed how common it is in the world for "leaders" and politicians to have elements of their personal lives that raise question about their character?

As a final side note, if you are proud of the fact that a fraternity of what? 40 members raised $800 for a good cause, then I think it's time to raise the bar a little bit.... Not that little amounts don't count, but come on! I flossed my teeth this morning. Do I deserve a congratulations?

Dude. I think you should go back and re-read her article a bit more closely. I didn't read it as her stereotyping you, especially not any frat in particular. I read it as her showing how stereotypes can be unfairly pinned to members of Greek life because they happen to all be in the same organization. I can't speak for her but seeing as she is trying to get rid of hurtful stereotypes by criticizing the system altogether, I think she would support what you are saying and this article was written in vain....

Sorry Amy and Lauren,

Meant to address that to Lauren.

"To begin with, fraternities and sororities are inherently anti-feminist. They are largely based upon the principle that men and women are biologically and emotionally different"
Regardless of what you think about Tufts Greek life, men and women aren't biologically different? I'm no doctor but...

Lauren,
I would caution you to think carefully about your position that Greek life is inherently anti-feminist merely because it separates men and women. Look only to the example given by "bl"'s comment of all-female colleges, or, for an example closer to home, consider Richardson house on the Tufts campus. Is that house in its entirety antifeminist merely because it's all female? Are women who feel more comfortable living with members of their own gender group anti-feminist? To live and socialize with whom they want is their choice, and that's exactly what Greek life is at Tufts: a choice.

You really only address the stereotypical man or woman who might belong to a frat, using inflammatory phrases such as "hot b----" but you must be aware that, first, people who fit into such stereotypes exist in any social group. You don't need to belong to a sorority to be a ""hot," incredibly stupid girl who is always ready to service frat guys." And second, and more importantly, not every member of fraternities and sororities fit these stereotypes. Where is your consideration of those members of the Greek community who joined to make friends, both male and female, and participate in social events and philanthropy? You only base your criticism of the Greek system on the most extreme of negative stereotypes, and give an incomplete picture.

And on the subject of hazing: by no means should anyone condone it, but it doesn't seem like you have the evidence to back up your claims about how cruel and harsh the rituals are. Indeed, from reading previous comments, these rituals do not seem to be the alcohol-tinged torture that you make them out to be. Furthermore, plenty of groups beyond fraternities and sororities haze. And you don't need to belong to the Greek system to refer to girls as ""fat," "ugly" or "worthless,"" If you want to address hazing, do so as a whole, not just as a pointed attack at one, seemingly harmless, symptom of the problem.

Again, Greek life at Tufts is a choice. Only 13% of Tufts students belong to fraternities or sororities, and you said it yourself: You will make friends if you're not in a sorority. So what's truly the problem here? If you still find Greek life so atrocious, don't join a sorority.

Hey Amy,

Just to start, you've crafted a very well written article that has clearly addressed a point of contention on campus - hence all the arguments for and against on the comments page. I certainly understand the points you've made and would be quick to say many of them have merit - I'm sure very few individuals on this campus would deny that it's unfortunate that those who don't subscribe to Greek life or athletics may feel separated at times, for example.

Unfortunately, I feel like the crux of your argument lies on very shaky ground at best. It seems absurd that, in an appeal against what you essentially call out as stereotype-perpetuation-engines (i.e. fraternities and sororities), you include an appeal to our own stereotyping (e.g., macho fraternity man, dumb sorority girl) and the shame we're meant to feel from thinking along these lines.

Take a step back - what about those of us who don't see ourselves along these absurdly narrow standards you've set out for us. I don't deny that fraternities and sororities can perpetuate terrible stereotypes and do awful things, intentional or not, but I would ask you to please not take away from the benefits they can bring to both those involved and those outside of the chapter, as well as the choice they have to not do these things. It seems disingenuous to make the appeal that these institutions are inherently bad, when all they are is groups of individuals united by some common thread, generally principles that are hardly divisive (e.g. Love, Honor, Truth, etc...). But these individuals are still their own people, and I'd ask that you respect that in future articles by lumping us all under the umbrella of "Greek Life on Campus." I know I speak for every chapter on campus when I say that the constant goal of any organization is to improve themselves and their members. Those stereotypes you mentioned in your article can be combated, and I believe most effectively combated, by their being examined and challenged by both the Greek and non-greek communities working together. I would hope at some point we don't have this apparent disdain on either end, and I'm sure many Greek leaders on campus would be happy to sit down and discuss this with you personally and to figure out a way to try to make that happen. However, presented in this way, this article comes off as excessively combative (though while that may be the intent) and a bit offensive and to all involved.

I don't know why everyone's talking about her promoting stereotypes, she clearly states at the beginning that she has nothing against the individual people in the Greek system, she just wants to criticize the system itself. As a feminist who shares most of these views about Greek life, I interpreted her reference to those stereotypes as views that society holds that she doesn't share, and rather she's talking about them because the potential (and undeserved) consequence of being involved in an organization that encourages conformity- gender and otherwise- is being unfairly stereotyped by others.

As a member of the queer community at Tufts and as a member of Alpha Phi, I can honestly say that I have never felt pressured to conform to any gender stereotypes; in fact I have never felt that my sexual orientation was as much of a non-issue as I have in the female-only groups at Tufts to which I belong (Aphi, rugby). While I can only speak to my own experience in these two groups, I think it's important to put out there. This girl certainly does not speak for me or my experience as a new member/sister/rookie.

I don't know why everyone's talking about her promoting stereotypes, she clearly states at the beginning that she has nothing against the individual people in the Greek system, she just wants to criticize the system itself. As a feminist who shares most of these views about Greek life, I interpreted her reference to those stereotypes as views that society holds that she doesn't share, and rather she's talking about them because the potential (and undeserved) consequence of being involved in an organization that encourages conformity- gender and otherwise- is being unfairly stereotyped by others.

I went through most of the pledging process in a sorority and I could not agree more with every thing this article says. I was hazed and to this day I still have nightmares about girls screaming at me and calling me ugly in a dark basement. The worst was when people outside the greek system told me the mental abuse I went through was not hazing because it was too girly. I think that their are merits to greek life but over all it is a sexist old fashioned institution. I am posting this comment anonymously because I do not want to get ripped on for my opinion. Lauren was incredibly brave to write this article and I have the utmost respect for her. you may not agree with her but I think if you feel the need to defend your organizations then her article must have some truth to it.

Things I know about Greek life from my personal experience (I graduated in 2009):
My sorority's average GPA is higher than the university's all-female average and has been for the past few years. Clearly, those "stereotypes" about Greek life are inaccurate.

Hazing is not universal. I will not deny that it still exists on some campuses, in some Greek houses, but it is a sad remnant of the past. I was never made, or even encouraged, to drink. I was never hazed in any fashion: physically, emotionally, or otherwise. In fact, the opposite is true: after confirming that I shared my sorority's values, I was accepted unconditionally. Nothing has ever had a more positive impact on my own self-worth, or frankly, on my faith in my peers.

Lauren, enough is enough-the KKG joke is 2 years old now. Yes, I said "joke"...that's what it was to the rest of us. Stupid joke? Maybe, but a joke regardless. I speak for myself and for other girls who participated when I say that you were alone if you were trying to use that joke to make some overarching criticism of the Greek Life system. If you don't like frats and sororities, don't attack them with stereotypes-it's counterproductive. Just don't hang out with sorority girls and don't party at frats. It's that simple. In my mind, the shirts were not an attack whatsoever and I'd really rather not be affiliated with your opinion. It's dated anyway...you haven't spent a semester at Tufts since Spring '11 and you're discussing a Spring '10 event. After spending the upcoming fall semester here, go ahead and write another op-ed. But don't forget to mention how many days and nights you've spent in the company of "hot" "incredibly stupid" sorority sisters and "macho dude" fraternity brothers.

I am the parent of a Senior who is a sorority member and I graduated from a woman's college. Ms. Border is so wrong when she says that having separate organizations for men and women is anti-feminist. Tell that to the women of Mount Holyoke, Wellesley and Smith!!! By judging the sorority and fraternity members and using stereotypes, Ms. Border is the one who is anti-feminist. Sorority life as I know it is not about telling sisters they look fat, etc. There is a great support system which is linked from year to year. My daughter has a close "sister" who is in her early 30's and has guided her though the interviewing process this past fall. I might add that my daughter secured a wonderful job for after graduation and had numerous interviews probably because she held a leadership role in her sorority. For Ms. Border's information...her leadership role was like running a small business--budgets, people management, PR, philanthropy (yes--a very important part of her sorority) etc. She even had to interface with women in their 60's and 70's from the national organization and speak at a National conference in front of thousands of sisters. I can tell you that most people I know did not have that experience when we were in college.
I NEVER write comments to anything I've read, but this article so infuriated me!!! Please don't judge, don't throw stones!! As you clearly aren't in a sorority, you don't really know what goes on during hazing and the rest of the year and how the students treat each other. Get your facts straight before you point fingers and stereotype!!!

Also, ince I agree about adding names: my name is Liz, and I'm a member of ATO.

I agree with Brian, if you don't agree at least have enough courage to have an educated discussion by posting your name.

On another note, some of these comments, no matter how much people don't want to agree with them, seem pretty accurate to me. Compare the number of "new member events" in sororities that are physically taxing versus mentally taxing with that of a fraternity and fraternities probably have more physical based ones while sororities probably have more psychological ones. It's just how things tend to happen and it seems to be based on what guys and girls have done since they were young. Guys stereotypically fight out their problems, throw a punch and get over it, while girls tend to do more talking behind one another's backs, agreeing to deal with it after months of hurtful comments have come to pass.

Now whether or not you agree with this article doesn't matter but at least have the decency to post under your name. With topics like this it is difficult to find definitive answer to what is right and what is wrong but an educated discussion will get a lot further than rude comments.

While this piece brings up some good points, I think it's a little bit unfair to throw all Greek life at Tufts together. Every house is quite different, and even within houses (at least mine, speaking from experience), levels of dedication or interpretations of what it means to "go Greek" vary greatly. I agree that many members of some houses perpetuate stereotypes, especially ones that are unkind to female students. I might be off the mark, but Tufts seems to be a generally progressive place, one that is at least in support of social equality of all kinds; perhaps this is why it is incredibly frustrating, as a member of a Greek house myself, to see so many stereotypes and instances of cruelty.

That said, again, not all houses are the same. My own house, and at least one other (to my knowledge), prides itself on NOT hazing our pledges. We expect pledges to clean the house once a week during their pledge period (we don't have a cleaning service), attend events (read: movie nights, "house olympics," and dozens of other booze-free things) when possible, lend a hand during parties. That's about it. Nothing forced. Silliness, yes, so at least some ability to laugh at yourself is required. However, no hazing. That's been a point of pride for some time. Add in recent moves towards trying to be more proactive about philanthropy and having a more positive presence on campus, and I think I can safely say we don't fit into a typical "frat bro" framework.

Part of why I came to Tufts was because I pointedly did not want to be involved in Greek life, and I felt it was not integral to having a social life here. Yet, the more time I spent around my now-brothers and sisters, the more I realized that not all Greek houses fit into this "Old School"-esque stereotype. I have never once been hazed in my house, nor have I felt threatened, out of place, or like I've been doing myself or anyone I associate myself with a disservice by being a Greek house member. No house is the same as another, and even year to year, membership will change, as will attitudes about how the house should be run. Is the Greek community at Tufts overwhelmingly positive and progressive? Absolutely not. There are many conversations to be had and changes to be made, about everything from promoting gender equality to the Greek-LGBTQ relationship. However, is the Greek community at Tufts overwhelmingly stereotyped, homogenous, and negative? Again, absolutely not. There are some truly brilliant, motivated, forward-thinking people who are Greek brothers and sisters. It's unfortunate that those people don't have a real forum for discussion or an easy means to create practical change, but to lump all Greek members and houses together as one big awful fratty monster is unfair. What we really need to think about is how we can really, truly, actually make changes to problematic aspects of Greek culture (not necessarily unique to Tufts; again, sexual assault or harassment, name-calling, and hazing come to mind), on an overall level, but also on a house-by-house or even member-by-member basis.

The Greek community at Tufts is too diverse to have a blanket solution or to be labeled as one thing or another, for better or for worse. We need big changes, but it needs to come from the top down, the bottom up, and from outside the Greek community as well. Simply stereotyping and finger-pointing won't improve anything for anyone.

anyone who disagrees with this ought to post under their full name; she wrote her article under hers

"They need to agree to cosponsor events"

Whoever wrote this clearly hasn't been reading the Daily for the last year. SJP has consistently offered to cosponsor events with Friends of Israel, but FOI (and any other HIllel-affiliated organization) cannot or will not cosponsor with us. As this is an editorial, I'm surprised that the Daily staff isn't keeping up with the news that they themselves edit and publish

Somebody didn't get a bid. You promulgate the stereotypes of "the hot b---" sorority more than the Greek system does. Seeing as the sorority GPA is higher than the independents', I don't think about those stereotypes at all. Have you thought that maybe you're promoting the stereotypes you have formed from being raised in a white-male privilege society? I'm not saying it's a good thing at all, but it's a fact; admitting it is the first step towards true equality in our society. Maybe you have a stronger opinion because you're biased!

have you ventured to speak to any of the greek organizations you blasphemed? it definitely doesn't seem so.

I feel like your only resource on this article was the KKG stunt and the movie "Old School."