A perpetual source of debate, the Greek system is a popular topic of discussion among students, administrators, and participants at Tufts and around the nation. Recently proposed reforms to the system have raised questions about the relationship between Greeks and the larger Tufts community.
A Daily campus opinion poll revealed that a majority of students from within and without the Greek system say it is appealing, but not without its shortcomings.
The compromised endorsement of the system does not bother Inter Greek Council (IGC) President Adam Biacchi, who said it is here to stay, at least from an administrative perspective.
"The only real threat to the Greek system [would come from] the Greek system," Biacchi said.
In accordance with Biacchi, 80 percent of the 97 students polled, including both Greek and non-Greek, said that the system has a future at Tufts. And while only 15 percent of University students belong to a fraternity or sorority, many find the Greek system worthwhile.
When asked if they "feel the current Greek system appeals to students, both current and prospective," 69.6 percent said yes or "at least somewhat." Just over 63 percent of the non-Greek females polled and 83.3 percent of the non-Greek males polled share this opinion.
Still, the poll showed that even Greek students do not believe the system to be flawless. Of Greeks, both male and female, 38.9 percent feel the system needs reform. "The Greek system is not united," one survey participant said. "There needs to be a stronger unification within the IGC."
Other students mentioned the need for stronger relations with the administration, more funding, clearer Greek system guidelines, and more unity with the larger campus.
Sophomore Joe Coletti, a brother at Zeta Psi and chairman of the TCU Elections Board (ELBO), echoed the sentiments of surveyed students who called for improved Greek-administrative relations. "I think the biggest problem is that the Greek system and the [administration] are so detached from each other," he said. "They feel like they don't help each other." He went on to say that the administration and the Greek system lack a give-and-take relationship. "We both have negative feelings towards each other because neither side does anything for the other."
Biacchi said the system does, in fact, provide services for the University. Fraternities and sororities, he said, give members a "support network and people that you can count on" within their Greek house. Biacchi added that the Greek system gives students "somewhere to go on Friday and Saturday to be in a controlled, safe environment. If the fraternity system would disappear, all hell would break loose."
Junior Daniel Kramer, a member of Delta Tau Delta, said he feels the
situation between Greeks and the administration is improving. Before spring break
members of his fraternity met with administrators, including President Larry Bacow and his wife Adele, to discuss their vision for the Greek system.
"The administration is ready to be on our side, we just have to open the door for them," Kramer said. "I don't know what the changes are, but it will be better for us to have a role in shaping them then just kind of letting them happen to us. I think [Bacow] just wants to maximize our positive impact for Tufts and for Medford and Somerville."
One poll question asked students to rate the Greek system's efficacy in adding to the campus social life on a scale from one to five, with five being the most effective. One hundred percent of Greek males ranked the current system at four or above, while 50 percent of non-Greek male students ranked it three or lower.
Of all female students polled, both Greek and non-Greek, 60 percent ranked the efficacy three or lower.
Biacchi, himself a member of Zeta Beta Tau, said that fraternities and sororities also fulfill a philanthropic purpose. "Even though there is no philanthropy requirement for the Greek system, [the Greek houses] have philanthropic events of their own volition," he said. These events have included fundraisers for individual charities and volunteer work in soup kitchens and Habitat for Humanity programs.
Students were asked to rank the Greek system in the category of community service and philanthropy. Of all students polled, 58.8 percent ranked the fraternities and sororities at one or two [five being the most philanthropic]. Within this group, 50.9 percent of non-Greek females ranked the system's efficacy in community service and philanthropy one out of a possible five.
