Dear Editor:
In the course of 10 months, I have been through a roller-coaster brush with social greek life. In January, I was despising social greek life and all of the things for which it stands. By the end of February, I found myself serving as the president of the new social greek fraternity chapter on campus. As October gets rolling, I am now recognizing what I believe to be the truth about the nature of greek life in America. Having been fully engaged on both sides of this proverbial coin, I feel as if I am well-qualified to make the following assertion.
Greek life began with such noble beginnings. Thomas Jefferson is rumored to have started an organization called the Flat Hat Club (a social, literary club for men) in Virginia, which then spawned our nation's first greek organization, Phi Beta Kappa. They began as literary societies, gentlemen's gatherings and organizations for intellectual stimulation between colleagues ... but no longer. The principles that our modern-day fraternities and sororities purport to stand for today - service, academics, honor, leadership, sportsmanship - have been lost. Or at least largely overshadowed and diminished in importance by the activities on which they so obviously (and rather sadly) place greater emphasis.
You know, we ALL know, those special things that are so closely tied to the essence of what it is to be greek (such as the Animal House-esque lifestyle). Today, greeks are a united force whose less-than-conscious agenda indirectly drags the otherwise enlightening and maturing experience that is college back toward the unnecessarily rebellious and callow tendencies of high school.
The collars are popped, the libations are flowing, the superfluous gossip is swirling, and the luxury vehicles that inundate our campus (principally for the transport of people and contraband to gatherings) are oh-so-graciously financed by mommy and daddy for their less-than-grateful and not-so-self-aware offspring. There is a mysteriously territorial rivalry between fraternities based on who throws the best parties, who has the best football team and who pulls the hottest women. Let us not overlook the veiled inferiority complex shared between sororities over whose clique is the most fashionable and the most desired by the greek boys, and whose gets the most GAP points.
Such regression in priorities and actions baffles me, and no doubt insults the good intentions and positive contributions of the greeks' forebearers. The Greeks have lost their way in the new century. They call for expanded housing opportunities, greater university funding and more recognition of their good deeds. Given the grave disconnect between the fa?ade of greek life and the reality, I call for the same type of greek life that students at top-tier schools such as Georgetown and Harvard experience: the nonexistent kind. I'm sure Mr. Jefferson would agree.
Paul Perry Sophomore, SPA & SIS
Dear Editor:
President Ladner showed once again how out of touch he is with life at American University in his recent "Message from the President" in the recently published American Magazine. In the opening paragraph, he states that AU "is a place where you might have to walk by a women's field hockey match" before naming other things to do at AU. Memo to Ladner: Our field hockey team, one of the best in the nation, doesn't play on campus! The construction is not yet complete on its new field, and it has been playing home games at Georgetown and Maryland. I invite Ladner and everyone else to come out to sporting events, including field hockey - especially when they can actually "walk by" the match on campus.
Stephen Tucker President, Screaming Eagles Junior, CAS
Dear Editor:
In an effort to address campus beautification, University Event Scheduling/University Center is working with Physical Plant to effectively create change around the AU posting culture. Through this process, the two offices are pulling fliers off trees, light poles or sidewalks; the exterior of buildings; on painted, wallpapered or glass surfaces; or on car windshields. 'Responsible' individuals are then sent a notice when a flyer is found in violation of the university's posting policy.
Currently, there is no penalty for the violation, just a gentle reminder that the campus looks better if we all post our advertisements on bulletin boards instead of 'unapproved' locations. If repeat offenses are recognized, further action could be explored.
The University Center is starting to explore a way for all program fliers to be delivered to the University Center for timely posting in appropriate and approved locations by the Center's student staff. Proposals will be passed through a committee for discussion and recommendations.
Stop by Mary Graydon Center 274 for more information or to pick up the General Regulations for Posting Materials. University Event Scheduling/ University Center staff is available to answer any questions as well.
Scott Jones Director of Operations, University Center
Dear Editor:
Last week was a good week to be a woman at American University. First, I would like to thank everyone who participated in "Wear Pink" day on Friday. Your pink shirts, skirts, belts, shoes and even hair sent a message of solidarity and support to breast cancer patients and survivors. I encourage all of you to keep wearing pink throughout October.
I would also like to commend Nathalie Marechal for writing "Eating Disorders: Who's to Blame." October is domestic violence awareness month, and Marechal uncovered a type of violence that has many victims on AU's campus. Instead of falling victim to this violence, I encourage each of you to participate in the Women's Initiative's "Love Your Body Day" on Oct. 20. Together, we can stop the spread of eating disorders and body dysmorphia on this campus.
AU, thank you for making this week a good one to be a woman!
Sarah Mashburn Women's Initiative Director Senior, SOC
