A report on Tufts' fraternity and sorority system issued last semester calls for a fundamental shift in values in the Greek system, precipitated internally by the Greek community itself.
The report, only recently distributed to members of the Greek system, was based on a visit that consultant Tom Jelke made to campus in September 2005. Jelke's firm, t.jelke solutions, specializes in fraternities and sororities.
On Mar. 3, Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman sent the report to all members of the Committee on Fraternities and Sororities (CFS) along with a letter asking them "to define the scope and priority of the issues that should be addressed."
Ultimately, the report upheld the presence of the Greek system at Tufts and expressed confidence that significant reforms in focus could be made.
"[W]hile there are some significant problems with the fraternity and sorority system at Tufts, the situation is definitely reparable, but it will take a very strong commitment from the chapters, alumni, headquarters and administration," the report read.
At the same time, the report offered an unflinching assessment of the problems that have plagued the Greek system at Tufts.
Though it touted the positive foundational Greek principles, the report said that "a majority of the members of these [Greek] groups are neither aware of nor in tune with the core values of their organizations. For some, alcohol and partying have replaced those values."
The report added that this situation was exacerbated by "a perceived lack of alternative programming on campus."
Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Todd Sullivan is currently the only full-time staff member dealing with the Greek system. The report called for the hiring of an additional full-time staff member in Fraternity and Sorority Affairs to "separate some of the advocacy and enforcement responsibilities."
Reitman acknowledged that mixing the responsibilities of enforcement and advocacy is a difficult job, but said that Tufts lacks the resources to create a second position.
The goal then, Reitman said, is to "work with Todd so that we can have both elements be effective."
Accordingly, Sullivan's role in the Greek judicial process will expand. "Currently I advise the Inter-Greek Judiciary and we are looking for ways to increase [the role]," Sullivan said.
He said the increased participation in Judicial Affairs will "balance advocacy and accountability."
Within the letter to members of the Committee on Fraternities and Sororities, Reitman asked the CFS to "charge the presidents of the fraternity and sorority chapters to propose remedies" to the system.
"Chapter officers and rank and file members will need to lead and be accountable for the process of change and development," he wrote.
According to Reitman, the leaders of certain Greek organizations were willing to acknowledge problems with the system and make changes, but they have had trouble finding "an objective way to reach the rank and file [of fraternities and sororities.]"
It is yet to be seen whether Jelke's assessment and prescriptions have reached the "rank and file" of the Greek community.
CFS forwarded the report on to all fraternity and sorority presidents in mid-March, asking that they discuss issues with their respective organizations. According to Reitman, on Apr. 5 all chapter presidents met to discuss their reactions to the report.
"[It's the] responsibility of CFS to listen to chapters and make decisions," Reitman said. "So far it's been very collegial."
"We are using the presidents as spokespersons for the chapters," Sullivan said. "It is incumbent upon the presidents to ensure that their chapter members are engaged in the discussion. It was our expectation that they would be working with their chapter members and alumni."
Reitman said that it was evident "there had been consideration of the report at [Greek] houses."
According to Sigma Phi Epsilon member Mike Landsberger, a junior, the entire SigEp fraternity has discussed the report.
"We went over it at a meeting," he said.
But Sigma Nu brother Lucas Walker reported that although members of his fraternity had discussed the report in passing, no formal discussion of the matter had taken place.
Walker questioned the need for a serious overhaul to the Greek system.
"I don't think we need overarching, fundamental reforms to be a more effective institution," Walker said. "As with any organization it requires self examination ... within the group from time to time, but I think that individual groups are perfectly capable of doing that on their own."
"Personally, my frat meets my needs and, from what I can tell, the needs of the community," he said.
While the Jelke report suggests improvements to the Greek system, Reitman said the report "is meant to be an internal reflective piece."
"We're taking all the suggestions, but the blueprint is different than [what] someone from the outside thinks," he said. Members of the system are expected to figure out "how to get from here to there."
Fraternities and sororities will be involved in the system-changing process, but the report acknowledges that some chapters may refuse to change and, accordingly, will "not survive."
"I think it would be surprising if everyone successfully [fit into the new system]" Reitman said.
While acknowledging the measures taken, some Greek members have been hesitant to accept an analysis that lumps all of the organizations together.
"We appreciate the effort that the administration puts in," Landsberger said. "But all the houses are different; we don't see ourselves as conforming to one big stereotype."
According to Reitman, implementing the Jelke report will be a process of "evolution as opposed to revolution."
Reitman is helpful that the evaluation can begin to improve the situation. "I'm hopeful," he said. "According to Jelke, this sort of systemic change has been successful on other campuses."
CFS and Greek presidents will continue discussions this semester and throughout the summer. A summer retreat is a possibility.
As for the consultant, Reitman said "we've talked about Jelke about leading some efforts once parts of the system are put in place."
According to Reitman, the idea of hiring an outside consultant came from within the Greek system in a discussion between members of the CFS, which includes both students and administrators.
