Over the past two weeks, this newspaper has reported extensively on the atmosphere of our University’s greek system – the largest in the nation – uncovering and exposing troubling aspects of such an integral element of our student life.
With a simple email to University and state administrators detailing discontentment among some potential new greek organization members, our campus is suddenly awash in conversation about the University’s most taboo topic – greek pledgeship. But this time, it doesn’t look like it’s going away any time soon.
It’s easy for us to initially be skeptical of whistleblowers. They are, by definition, alleging serious wrongdoing within established hierarchies, and their claims make us face uncomfortable realities. But we should never mistake their honesty and commitment to the moral good with cowardice for not following the crowd.
Although it is very likely that these anonymous students may never publicly come forward, they should take comfort in representing and speaking for the thousands of students who feel silenced on a daily basis by corrupt systems of power that are allowed to perpetuate on our campus.
As a columnist, I am given the opportunity to write about any topic I wish in this space every Wednesday. However, I have no control over any content – other than my own – that is published in these pages, allowing me to both participate in and comment on the paper from a quasi-external point of view.
I must say, I’m extremely proud of this newspaper’s coverage of these developments in the greek system. In every area of its coverage, the reporters and editors have been tough, direct and determined to get to the bottom of the story. Monday’s and Tuesday’s editorial board op-eds were spot on, giving light to tough issues and raising pertinent questions about the real nature of our campus and student body.
With the lengthy allegations of hazing detailed in Tuesday’s paper, the burden is now placed on the administration to end the detrimental traditions that our greek system has held on to for far too long. The thoroughly corroborated details of the hazing incidents by the students should be enough of a spark for administrators to begin the process of change.
In many ways, the administration should want this type of attention to be devoted to outdated aspects of greek life. With four of the six students sent to DCH for alcohol poisoning this semester belonging to greek organizations, this is no longer an issue of simply looking the other way for the eight weeks of fraternity pledgeship. This is no longer an issue that major donors can essentially hold over the University’s head. This is about the safety and welfare of our youngest students, upholding the promise we made to make them better and focusing on the legacy – the example – that we leave behind.
But, in the midst of all the attention being placed on the anonymous students, we should be focusing on holding accountable the students who were elected to lead our greek system. Neither the Interfraternity Council nor Panhellenic Association has commented on the hazing allegations. They have offered no plans to prevent the same type of alleged hazing from occurring on campus tonight. They know better than anyone that these incidents happen often, yet they do nothing to correct the problem.
These same leaders seem to always be the first to tell us about a new concert they are sponsoring or philanthropy we can give money to, but when we need real leadership and bold guidance to move our University forward, they are nowhere to be found. Where are these leaders? Why do they remain silent?
No greek student could have been shocked by yesterday’s headline. We know what happens and how it happens. The true question is how much longer we will continue to hang on by a thread and when our community, as a whole, will come to the realization that the status quo just isn’t working.
In many ways and for many reasons – not particularly positive – we have accepted our culture, despite its many flaws. We’ve grown complacent, lethargic and unmotivated. Perhaps this spark is just what we needed.
Austin Gaddis is a senior majoring in communication studies and public relations. His column runs on Wednesdays.
