Pledging to never rush: a criticism of Greek life at Tufts

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.

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.