Strong spring rush gives Greeks hope

This semester's successful rush has given Greeks a much needed shot in the arm at a critical juncture in the system's future. The boost comes at a time when many fraternities and sororities are at a crossroads, struggling to adapt while preserving the character of their houses. Finding a way to accomplish both is vital if the Greek system is to secure its place at Tufts while not slipping into viewbook-friendly dullness.

A dangerous legal environment, coupled with increasingly vocal neighbors, and overall higher University standards have forced many houses to make difficult and fundamental changes.

The steady crackdown on large-scale fraternity events has changed the character of the system's social activities. Faced with the prospect of -- at best -- an early end to parties, most houses have cut back the number of large-scale events they host. Social functions are smaller and less open to people with no direct connection to the fraternity. Once places where students of all social circles mingled on weekends, the fraternities are increasingly becoming closed societies.

The University has also handed down high-profile hazing punishments in response to the threat presented by a litigious society. Some houses have faced additional pressure from their national offices to purge the pledge programs of more traditional activities in favor of "hazing alternatives." Theta Delta Chi, better known as 123, switched recently to a Zeta Beta Tau-style program that discourages hazing. ZBT does not have a pledge program; new members become brothers almost immediately upon joining.

Other houses have faced suspensions or probation, severely impacting the number of members. Dwindling numbers have put a financial strain on houses, and in turn reduced their ability to fund activities.

Ironically, these changes -- which threaten the very future of the system -- so far have served to improve and energize it. Many members of troubled houses report that the challenges have forced them to organize better and take more responsibility for their actions. Along with Greek Affairs Director Todd Sullivan, the system is increasingly making good-faith efforts to clean up its act and improve its relationship with neighbors and the University.

But these changes have come at a cost. Many Greek upperclassmen and alumni lament a system that is so different than the one they experienced just a few years ago. And one has only to walk down an eerily quiet Professor's Row on a Friday night to know that the social scene has been altered drastically. Just as the magic of the Naked Quad Run was robbed by this year's changes, the Greek system has suffered a similar sterilization.

The dangers presented by the old Greek system or the Naked Quad Run are undeniable. But however necessary the changes are, they are viewed with great sadness by many who know things used to be better. Regardless, the reality of the situation is that Greek houses have no choice. Evolve or become extinct. It is a lesson Zeta Psi, Delta Upsilon, and Delta Tau Delta learned the hard way. In the end, the challenge facing the Greek system is to reinvent itself in a way that avoids the University's ire, yet reclaims much of the mystique of the old system. If Greeks can accomplish that, the system will emerge from this trial by fire stronger.

But should they fail, fraternities and sororities will likely lose what made them special to so many people and become little more than specialty houses.