I am a product of the Greek system here at Tufts. I became a brother in 1954. During the past decade I have had the pleasure and privilege of serving as the chapter advisor/mentor to a fraternity that has had a presence on the Tufts campus since 1941.
For someone such as myself who is committed to supporting the Greek system at Tufts, it is most disturbing to read about the fraternity transgressions that haven taken place within the last month or so. There is absolutely no excuse for such flagrant, immature and irresponsible behavior that places people in harm's way.
The reality is that drinking is a way of life on the college campus. Social scientists can theorize until they are blue in the face, but it is not going to change. That is the way it is and I have no doubt that it will continue. Administrators can rant and rave about such behavior. It is not going to change no matter what kind of socially responsible policy the University tries to develop, implement and enforce.
I truly believe that membership in a fraternity or sorority is an important part of the undergraduate experience. Reflecting on my own time as an undergraduate, members of the Greek system were looked upon as campus leaders characterized by the achievement of academic excellence, the embodiment of Tufts spirit, conformity to socially accepted norms of behavior, and worthy of community-wide respect.
Sure they participated in their share of campus hijinks, but never in a way that placed people in harm's way. Yes, some carried paddles, but only as a sign of authority, not as instruments of torture or hazing. They were looked up to as role models whose behavior and demeanor was to be emulated. To be a member of a fraternity or sorority at that time was something to be proud of.
Yes, I know that the social mores and attitudes of that time no longer exist today. The Age of Innocence has long disappeared from this campus as well as campuses everywhere. I do not think that today's college students, as a group, are any more intelligent than we were in the 1950s.
They are, however, a more socially enlightened group with a much broader view of the geopolitical situation. Their technological erudition is beyond question and if used properly can be a source of great empowerment. It is therefore most unfortunate that the unacceptable, irresponsible behavior by a fraternity on this campus does not bode well for the Greek System at Tufts.
The criminal justice system in some states employs the "three strikes and you're out" principle which, in essence, means if you are found guilty of three felonious acts against society then you will be remanded to prison and society will "throw away the key" ... exit the offender.
I submit that incidents in the not-too-distant past involving both hazing and binge drinking would suggest that the Greek system may well have indeed struck out three times. This naturally begs the question as to why have a Greek System on the Tufts Campus. There are some within the Tufts Community who, no doubt, will say: "Enough is enough. Get rid of them. Who needs them? All they do is provide venues for binge drinking and other activities involving alcohol abuse. They serve no useful purpose."
The members of the Greek system have it within their power to control their destiny as far as continuing to remain a viable social institution on the Tufts Campus. They should not permit such behavior as we have seen on this campus in recent weeks to continue given that such repetition will ultimately bring about the demise of the Greek system at Tufts.
The current members of the Greek system owe it to the generations that have preceded them and to those that will follow them to leave intact a system that has in the past provided numerous opportunities. Greeks, through the system, can develop leadership skills and a sense of brotherhood or sisterhood whereby individuals are bound together by a sense of fraternal or sororital love and as such, are committed to each other's welfare.
They can recognize the worth of each individual, promote harmony amongst its members, and stress the rights of others and respect for property. They can respect authority and act in a law-abiding manner, and they can avoid the sanctioning of any activity that places others (brothers, sisters, or pledges) in harm's way. Finally, they can promote good citizenship and positive, effective interaction with all members of the larger, diverse community of today's college campus.
There you have it. Members of the Greek system: it is up to you. Sink or swim. It is high time for a sea change on this campus. Time passes by ever so quickly. Think about it - a few short months ago you were beginning your fall semester. Now there is less than a month until the end of the academic year.
I am constantly amazed that when I talk with seniors, they often lament at not having taken advantage of all that college life has to offer both academically and socially. It goes without saying that the primary purpose of attending college and committing oneself to an intense four year period of study is the achievement of academic excellence so as to prepare to make the most of one's potential. I submit that in addition to academic acclaim, membership and participation in a fraternity or sorority is also an important adjunct to growth, maturity, and the development of one's character.
I challenge the members of the Greek system to abandon their wanton ways of "self-destruction" and conduct themselves in a forthright, responsible manner. This can earn them the respect and admiration of all members of the Tufts Community and bring honor to both themselves and the organizations that they represent.
Benjamin Cohen, A '57, is the chapter advisor/emeritus for the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity.
