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Thanks to an enterprising hacker, Greek life was thrust into the local discussion even more than normal during rush season this past week, as the following phony email was distributed to all University of Illinois students from "GDI Chancellor Richard Herman."
Dear Students: Many of you may be aware of an event known as Rush. It is my objective to warn you of the potential downsides of Greek organizations. I advise you to not succumb to the aggressive recruitment tactics used by these organizations. It has been my concern over the years, that the Greek culture of alcoholism and lack of respect for the community degrades campus life. These organizations present themselves as prestigious, yet are discriminatory, serve to perpetuate social inequality, especially with respect to the opposite gender, and promote a lack of diversity. Many students have expressed concerns with regards to safety on campus, particularly due to Greek culture and behavior. It is my hope that a student's experience on campus strengthens one's individuality, but the Greek system emphasizes the group above all, without cause or reason. This is detrimental to the purpose of universities. I hope that you will consider wisely.
But just as the USA persevered when the Germans attacked Pearl Harbor (an Animal House here folks), the Greeks will survive this hoax. So what do you think? What sort of impact do fraternities have on the community, both student and townie? Are they a crusading force for good, a deplorable group of evildoers, or do they perhaps reside somewhere in a nebulous gray area?
Comments (3)
Sunday, September 7, 2008 5:47 PM
Wait, the Germans-attacking-Peal-Harbor thing was on purpose right? Just sarcasm that somehow went over my head? Because, like, the Germans didn't attack Pearl Harbor.
anyhow, I have a few friends in the Greek system, but I think overall the Greek community on campus is an embarrassment and a detriment to life at the U of I. They need to be more heavily regulated and less prevalent: there are SO MANY frats on campus, it's kind of terrifying. They (and sororities too) tend to promote a very close-minded, tunnel-vision view of life. Not to mention how bad the 600 block of Daniel Street smells because of the Greeks (and the Cochranes).
The Greek system isn't all bad, but I'm finding myself more and more fed up with their bullshit in my (probably) final year at UIUC.
Monday, September 8, 2008 10:36 AM
I guess it's more of an issue here than it was at my alma mater. We didn't have much of a Greek system to contend with at the University of Central Florida. They were there, but largely silent.
I never understood the concept of paying to join a club so you could have friends in college. I mean... wouldn't it require a total lack of social skills and graces to have trouble making friends in college?
Monday, September 8, 2008 12:10 PM
Go to http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077975/quotes and then do a word search on "Germans"