Students weigh pros and cons of Greek life
Sorority and fraternity recruitment on campus underway this week
William C. Winter and William K. Winter
Updated: Wednesday, January 28, 2009
greekrush
Meredith Klein / Tufts Daily
Tufts fraternities offer house-specific rushing events, whereas sororities have a general rush for all prospective members.
Whoever devised the old proverb “You may pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family,” has clearly never experienced Greek life at Tufts.
Accustomed to small classes and individual attention, many Tufts students are unsatisfied with living in large residence halls. While some of these Jumbos decide to live with friends in off-campus houses, others choose to join close-knit communities that are laced with tradition and guided by philanthropic values. These fraternities and sororities seek not only to improve the social lives of all Jumbos but also to provide a family for their respective members.
The more grueling process of actually joining one, however, may be a different story. Recruitment for fraternities and sororities began Sunday. Not only do many prospective brothers and sisters say that they have a difficult time deciding which house is right for them, but they also need to gain the approval of current house members — a task which may be easier for some than others.
According to sophomore Kimberly Reisman, a member of the Chi Omega sorority, the recruitment process is very similar among sororities at Tufts. Prospective sisters attend three informal socials at a house that they are interested in joining. During these socials, prospective sisters are strongly encouraged to mingle with current house members to learn about the values and history of the sorority. In this way, the prospective sisters are able to determine if the house is an appropriate fit.
Likewise, current sisters carefully evaluate each potential sister to determine if she would contribute personality and new ideas to the group. Even though the selection process is quite rigorous, Reisman sees value in it.
“There are certain things that a sister in Chi Omega represents,” she said.
Fraternity recruitment is, similarly, a two-way street, according to Sigma Phi Epsilon (Sig Ep) president Mark Simons.
“Rushing Tufts Sig Ep is a way for guys on campus to get to know who the brothers are and what the house is like,” said Simons, a sophomore. “It’s a great opportunity for students to see that these alleged ‘rowdy frat brothers’ are really just the students that sit next to them in class, are involved in clubs all over campus and are studying with them until the early morning hours in the library. It’s a casual atmosphere where members can share their memorable experiences as a brother in Sig Ep and talk to interested students about all the opportunities that come with being a brother.”
Sophomore Alisa Brennan, the president of the Chi Omega sorority, is pleased with her experience as a sister. “I decided to join a sorority because I wanted to be part of an organization that would provide a great group of long-lasting friends that I can rely on and that support me,” she said.
Brennan said that many of her greatest memories at Tufts come from her sorority’s philanthropic work, such as their support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the house’s organization of several community events.
Simons is also proud of his decision to join Sig Ep. “I wanted to join a house that was active on campus and was proud of its record in philanthropy and academics, yet was also able to strike an important balance and was able to provide a great time for not only brothers, but also students all over campus,” he said.
But not all universities see the value of Greek life. Brigham Young University, a private university associated with the Church of Latter-day Saints, is completely devoid of Greek life. Similarly, the University of Notre Dame, a private Catholic university, has long been known for its exclusion of fraternity and sorority houses. According to the Notre Dame Observer, some students at Notre Dame believe that fraternities create unnecessary divisions among students. Additionally, some Notre Dame administrators fear that the conception of Greek life could spark the occurrence of hazing incidents.
Unfortunately, the seemingly ubiquitous fear of hazing among university administrators is not always unfounded. According to the Los Angeles Times, 21-year old Matthew Carrington, a pledge of the Chi Tau fraternity at California State University, Chico, died after allegedly consuming a lethal quantity of water as part of a pledging ceremony. Similar tragedies involving the death of prospective fraternity or sorority members have recently occurred at the University of California, Irvine and Utah State University.
Tufts has several stringent anti-hazing policies in place to prevent such behavior on campus. According to the Pachyderm, “some offenses may result in serious disciplinary action, even for the first offense.” Alpha Phi, one of the sororities on campus, allegedly violated one of these provisions. As part of its punishment, the house is unable to resume recruitment until the Fall 2009 semester.
According to Simons, Greek life is often unfairly shown in a negative light. “What people need to know is that students are continuing to change and improve the reputation of fraternities,” he said.
Despite the incident with Alpha Phi and rumors floating around campus about secret illicit camaraderie-building activities, freshman Delphine Thierry said that she does not see Tufts as having a serious hazing problem, but her limited time on campus makes it difficult to tell. “I haven’t really heard any stories about it,” Thiery said. “At other schools, they have pretty ridiculous rituals. I really don’t know what to expect.”
Still, Thiery doesn’t see herself joining a sorority any time soon. “[It’s] not really my scene,” she said.
Despite the skepticism that many have about the redeeming qualities of Greek life, many Jumbos are highly interested in getting involved. At an event held at Hotung Café, dozens of prospective members attended to learn more about life in one of Tufts’ fraternity chapters. One freshman at the event, Benjamin K., who requested that his last name be withheld, is interested in the social aspect of Greek life. “[The brothers of a fraternity have] the camaraderie of a sports team without the athletic ability,” Benjamin said.
Sophomore Brendan Blaney, the Theta Chi president, believes that most people rush fraternities or sororities in order to build lasting friendships.
“A lot of people [rush to] look for a family,” he said. “[A fraternity is] a group of friends that’s always there for you.”
Posted on January 28, 2009 4:59 AM
Hazing claim probed
University, IFC investigate Acacia
By Kelsey Ginck Email
Collegian Staff Writer
The university is investigating allegations of hazing against Acacia fraternity, which has been suspended from all activities until further notice, Penn State spokeswoman Annemarie Mountz said.
Mountz had no other details regarding the hazing allegations, but said the national chapter of the fraternity has been notified of the university’s investigation.
“We’re working with the university, and they are currently under investigation,” said Darold Larson, executive director of the national chapter of Acacia.
Larson couldn’t comment on any details of the hazing allegations, or on what level the issue would be handled.
“It’s a little premature to speak of what action may or may not be taken at this time,” he said.
A Tuesday afternoon phone call to former Acacia President Anthony Feo was deferred to a later time. Multiple calls to Feo made Tuesday evening were not returned.
The university defines hazing on its Web site as any situation that “endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student” or that “removes or destroys” property for initiation or to continue membership in a student organization.
Penn State considers actions including beating; forced consumption of drugs, alcohol, food or any other substance; and “forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment,” among others, as hazing, according to its Web site.
The Web site states any student group found to be participating in any of the activities defined as hazing are “subject to disciplinary action by the appropriate registering organization.”
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) held a meeting Monday night to discuss the allegations and continue the investigation process, IFC President Luke Pierce said.
After the meeting, Pierce wrote in an e-mail he could not “confirm or comment on any of the details related to the ongoing investigation of Acacia Fraternity.”
“In order to maintain the integrity of our judicial process,
we must maintain confidentiality for all case-specific details,” he wrote.
Pierce cited the IFC conduct manual as the reason for the confidentiality.
According to the manual, everyone involved in a hearing is asked to maintain confidentiality with “case details.” Also, names of “students appearing before hearing bodies are not to be released.”
Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life Roy Baker did not immediately return multiple calls seeking comment about the hazing allegations.
The investigation may last up to a week and a half before a decision is reached, Pierce said when reached Monday.
The university is also investigating a pig roast held by the fraternity to verify the pig was euthanized appropriately, Mountz said, adding the hazing allegations and the pig roast have been determined to be “completely separate” incidents.
“At this point it looks like there was no malice from the information we have, but investigations are still continuing,” Moutz said, referring to the pig roast.
Members of Acacia purchased a pig, the sale of which “was handled according to established policy,” from the Penn State Swine Center for a weekend pig roast, Mountz said.
“It is our understanding that members of the fraternity, some of whom grew up on a farm and have experience butchering livestock, euthanized the animal,” Mountz wrote in an e-mail sent earlier this week.
“Since we do not yet know all of the details, I can’t speculate on any action that might be taken,” she wrote.
Mountz did not know whether the university would be involved in the handling of either the hazing allegations or the pig roast incident, but added, “if in either case, a university policy was violated, it will be dealt with through Judicial Affairs.”
Baker, speaking through a receptionist, declined to comment regarding the pig roast investigation.
Father of hazing victim cries for justice as 8 suspects now missing
By JOEL E. CAPUNDAN
ROXAS CITY – The father of John Angelo Dollete, who died of hazing, is now crying for justice after the eight suspects whose arrest warrants were earlier issued are now at large and believed to have gone hiding.
Philippine Coast Guard OIC Commander Jesus Dollete appealed to the public to give information on the whereabouts of the suspects who are wanted as of press time.
Dollete said that he already learned since December that the suspects have already gone in hiding upon learning that their warrants of arrest were about to come out.
Earlier, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Mambusao issued a warrant of arrest dated January 15, 2009 against the eight suspects who were involved in violating Republic Act 8049 or Anti-Hazing Act in Relation to Art 249 of Revised Penal Code or Homicide.
RTC Judge Daniel Antonio Gerardo Amular issued the warrant of arrest against the officers and members of Alpha Phi Omega (APO) Fraternity and Sorority involved in the initiation rites that resulted to the death of John Angelo Dollete last May 6, 2006 in Sapian, Capiz.
Subjects for arrest warrant are: Demo Machado of RCL Marketing, Kalibo Branch, Kalibo, Aklan; Sangguniang Bayan Member Christian Sander Mendoza of Ivisan, Capiz; Archie Durana of Salgan, Maayon, Capiz; Rhel Reff Patricio of President Roxas, Capiz; Dinkee Mandar of Punta Tabuc, Roxas City; Dexter Alvarez and Ramer Bula of Brgy. Loctugan, Roxas City; and Engr. Roque Isiderio of Consolacion, Mambusao, Capiz.
No bailbond was recommended for the accused. The said suspects are still at large as of press time.
To recall, Dollete, a fifth year engineering student at Capiz State University (CapSU) was declared dead on arrival by attending physicians at the Mambusao District Hospital when he was brought by members of the APO at dawn on May 6, 2006.
The initiation rite was held in Sapian in the evening of May 5 wherein members and officers of APO attended.
Dollete, died on the spot, when he was mauled and paddled by members of the said fraternity.
Categories
A & M students released from jail
Two Florida A&M fraternity members pleaded no contest this morning in Leon Circuit Court to felony charges of hazing another student more than two years ago.
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A no contest plea means Michael Morton and Jason Harris, members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, did not contest nor deny the charges against them.
In exchange for the plea, the men were sentenced to time served.
They were given credit for the 614 days they spent in jail, according to court records.
In early August, attorneys for Harris and Morton asked the 1st District Court of Appeal to throw out the convictions, saying there is no definition of what “serious bodily injury” means under the hazing law. They also questioned instructions Circuit Judge Kathleen Dekker gave to the jury.
Return to Tallahassee.com for more details.