The recent creation of a Greek Working Group on campus has been hailed by some in both the administration and within the Greek system as a big step forward for Greeks on campus. Program proponents claim that the new group will serve as an open forum for those both within and outside of the Greek system to talk about various issues affecting fraternity and sorority houses. While such an idea is certainly commendable on its face, in practice the new working group seems like another layer in a largely impotent Greek bureaucracy.
If the administration is serious about keeping Greeks on campus and in good shape, it is time for them to take concrete action in that direction. While Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Todd Sullivan's arrival at the beginning of the 2003-2004 academic year was supposed to be the start of a new era for Greek relations, the story on the ground has been decidedly mixed.
While fraternities and sororities were able to increase spring recruitment last year, Sullivan's office was unable to prevent what may be the beginning of a system-wide meltdown that started on Professor's Row this semester.
While it is certainly not Sullivan's responsibility to ensure that Greek men and women are on their best behavior at all times, it is his responsibility to create an environment where sound decision making prevails. To fulfill this obligation the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs has instituted a number of programs, including mandatory new member training, mandatory speakers for all Greeks, and new dialogue initiatives like that of the Greek Working Group.
Unfortunately, these measures seem to be much more bark than bite: talking in multiple ways with many different people about problems endemic to the Greek system does not magically make them disappear. Forcing fraternity brothers and sorority sisters to see similar powerpoints about the pitfalls of hazing and the dangers of alcohol will not suddenly transform them into responsible actors. Similarly, the Working Group's goal, while commendable, will not be achieved without a real transformation in the way Greeks are treated on campus.
The perception by many Greeks and non-Greeks that the administration is not interested in helping them is real problem on the Hill. Talk is cheap on campus, but real actions taken to assure Greeks of their continued existence at Tufts have not been forthcoming. So long as fraternity brothers and sorority sisters are unsure of what tomorrow holds they will party like there is no tomorrow, with predictably destructive consequences.
The bottom line is that most Greeks are unhappy with liberally applied stereotypes that paint them as sexual harassers and problem drinkers. Greeks need to work harder within their ranks to help the loud minorities that do live these roles, but in order to do so they need meaningful support from the administration. So long as Dowling and Ballou continue to treat all Greeks as stereotypes, they are condemning fraternity and sorority members to the dust bin.
