The article in last Wednesday's Daily entitled "Poll: students apathetic toward existing Greek system on campus" highlights Tufts' challenge in uniting our diverse, bickering community. Students do not voice their true feelings concerning social structures such as the Greek system. They simply accept false assumptions concerning the social reputations of such organizations, and the traditional, patriarchal, male-dominated society that the Greek system represents. After reading the article, I am left asking questions that our simply ignorant Tufts community has failed to answer.
While the accompanying survey reveals dissatisfaction with the social and philanthropic efficacy of the Greek system, the lack of response disallows any substantial conclusions to be made.
For example, the reporter writes that, "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 the 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 the female students polled both Greek and non-Greek, 60 percent ranked the efficacy three or lower."
While the survey reveals discrepancies between different groups, the polls' answers do not indicate why these exist. The sub-heading indicates: "More philanthropy expected out of Greeks." Nothing in the data presented, however, allows for an expectation concerning future philanthropy to be made. The survey's question clearly asks students to rate the current worth of the Greek system's philanthropy. But is a fraternity benevolent simply because to claims to be? Does this reputation fuel discontent toward the Greek system among the ethnic minorities, queer community, and white men who do not wish to be associated with fraternities?
The simple checked boxes of this survey can not provide the answers because the Tufts community could not extend beyond these boxes. But one wonders if they would have, if given the chance.
The non-response then causes campus activists to assume that the traditionally accepted social structure is also accepted on the Tufts campus, presenting a problem when students come together with the hope of breaking down social barriers. False stereotypical statements such as the recent comment made by one student, "Nobody asks why the guys in DTD live together," result in others responding in a negative, confrontational manner, as exhibited by the DTD president.
Tufts women are especially damaged by the suppression of opinion on Greeks. The majority of women are not satisfied with the Greek system, yet they fail to give any justifications as to why on the survey. Some, such as the TFA, point to the Greek system as an organization that promotes violence against women. Tufts women: Is this true? About seven years ago, the Tufts administration was grappling with this question, and today we still have not answered the seemingly simple question.
The article is loaded with unfound conclusions, but at least it begins to ask questions. The only way we, the Tufts community, will ever get answers is if we look at these social structures and create an open dialogue to discuss them.
Katie Reynolds is a sophomore majoring in international relations.
