The University administration and the Greek system may be headed towards 'a clash of values and priorities" next semester, as the University attempts to refocus the community towards what it refers to as its "traditional goals."
Following a semester in which five separate houses had to face disciplinary action, the change in interaction between the administration and the Greek houses next year will have the potential to completely change the social landscape at Tufts.
The Dean of Students Office says that if its goal is to increase student safety, increased administrative involvement is inevitable. "I can't address their needs if their only way to have fun is to have a free-for-all," Dean of Students Bruce Reitman said.
Tufts announced the hiring of Greek Life Director Todd Sullivan this month, whom the administration hopes will be able to have a more personal and involved role with the Greeks.
"You heard Greek officers say that they were not getting enough support from Tufts," Reitman said. With nearly 15 percent of the student population involved in the Greek system, Reitman said it is a specialized area of student affairs that requires more attention.
Fraternity and sorority presidents expressed concern and frustration during the semester over what they saw as unclear messages from the University administration regarding what behavior was acceptable.
There are some members of the Greek system who have expressed concern, though, that the new position will simply be an extension of what they view as inflexible administrative rules.
While the exact role of the Greek Life director is still amorphous, Sullivan said that for the moment he plans to just come in and ask questions. He starts in the position June 1 and will begin speaking with student leaders and administrators.
Sullivan said that his first focus will most likely be on returning to traditional Greek values, such as community service, self-respect, and academics. "When there is more of a focus on the founding values of the organization, fewer negative things happen," Sullivan said.
Sullivan has worked previously in similar capacities at Florida International University and Indiana University.
A "liaison"-type position is what Reitman and Sullivan think will work best to allow Greek leaders to work well with the administration. Reitman envisions the position as one that would allow the Greek Life director to be able to drop by Greek houses in a casual way.
But according to Reitman, the Greek Life director would also report any infractions he saw, making the goal of friendly relations between Greeks and their new director a little more difficult. "He's going to have to confront problematic and illegal behavior," Reitman said.
When asked if this dual responsibility for the Greek Life director will make success impossible, Reitman said no, as long as people are willing to compromise. "It has to be the approach people are thinking about if they're being realistic," he said. "If the goal of a night at a social function is to just to get trashed, this isn't going to work."
Citing the reforms made to other campus events, such as Spring Fling and the Pancake Breakfast, Reitman said that the administration has a responsibility to work with students to improve organizations and events. He believes that by doing so, students are safer, and that there is only a minority of students who want fewer controls. "I have no way to meet the needs of those students," Reitman said.
Reitman's opinion contradicts the results of a poll conducted by the Daily in March, which found that almost three-quarters of the student body was opposed to increased administrative control over alcohol on campus.
Some fraternity brothers think that it is the administration that is not being realistic about expectations. "They want us around on their terms, and aren't being realistic about what Greek life is about," said junior Alpha Epsilon Pi brother Nat Sager. "You can't embrace Greek life without the parties."
According to Sager, there is a perception on campus that the administration wants to eventually shutdown social life on campus, which he thinks will just push drinking further underground. "For the most part, it's better they drink in a controlled environment," Sager said.
The need for a direction in Greek Life policy has become much more urgent to the administration this semester after five different houses faced disciplinary action for infractions ranging from minor rush violations to endangerment of other students. The biggest punishment went to Zeta Psi, which will be on probation for two years, during which no one but brothers will be allowed in the house, and no alcohol will be allowed on the premises.
But Sullivan is experienced in dealing with problems within Greek systems. His previous job was as Director of Campus Life for Greek Affairs at Florida International University for over three years. While there, he oversaw the expansion of the system from 20 chapters and 700 students to 27 chapters and over 1,100 students. He dealt with one serious hazing case, which resulted in the suspension of one fraternity until 2006.
Alcohol, which is what many of this past semester's violations were related to, is not a problem that is specific to Tufts, Sullivan said. "A lot of education in terms of alcohol abuse can help to stop that," he said. Sullivan is also trained for intervention procedures, and has organized programs on alcohol abuse.
Members of the Greek system, however, complain that the problems highlighted by campus media are an unfair representation of what they do, which they say includes campus leadership and community service. To help fight that perceived imbalance, the IGC launched The Greek Letter this semester to broadcast to campus the beneficial effects the Greek system has on campus.
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