Few philanthropic student organizations on campus require little more from students than a due of less than $20, or possibly an application and interview process for more selective clubs. However, even fewer subject their new members to life-threatening hazing or offer as a breeding ground for elitist, racist and misogynistic attitudes.
Yes, I am referring to the problematic Greek system present at all major universities. Although I do not believe nor assume that all “brothers” live lives equating to the disgusting nature of the Old Row lifestyle, the establishment needs harsh examination.
The problem with fraternities started in their formation, as Lisa Wade states in her article in Time, “Young rich men invented ‘social’ fraternities to isolate themselves from their middle-class peers, thumb their nose at the religious values of their professors and wrest control away from the administrators who set their schedules, curricula and objectives,” Wade explains.
The same applies to today’s “frats,” except social media highlights, the exploitation of the brotherhoods and the “boys will be boys” mentality is not nearly as tolerated as it once was.
According to John D. Sutter of CNN, some such exploits include the chanting of racially-insensitive rhymes. “It [the video] reportedly shows members of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at the University of Oklahoma chanting these chilling lines: ‘There will never be a ni**** SAE. You can hang him from a tree, but he can never sign with me,’” Sutter stated. This instance occurred in 2015 and is one of the countless other instances of racist “antics” posted on social media platforms.
As if this is not reason enough for reform or even outright abolishment of the institutions of debauchery, there are also countless cases of death, rape and overall alcohol abuse. In her Guardian article, Jessica Valenti explores the idea of abolishing fraternities altogether. “Numerous studies have found that men who join fraternities are three times more likely to rape, that women in sororities are 74 percent more likely to experience rape than other college women,” Valenti said.
This behavior is not surprising in the slightest, as these “brothers” are able and willing to haze their own recruits, sometimes even to the point to death, so there is obviously nothing stopping some from harming a stranger.
Sure, some chapters are punished for their misconduct, but it usually ends in the fraternity being suspended or kicked off campus with the potential to return to improved conduct.
On a broadcast discussing Florida State University’s suspension after yet another student death, the newscaster explains how a group of Pi Kappa Phi members screamed: “I’m not suspended, you’re suspended.” They either are ignorant of the fact they have done wrong, or are simply in denial. Regardless, they know they will be back and drinking copious amounts of alcohol, and holding bacchanal gatherings at their Grecian-style trap houses.
This punishment is the equivalent to taking a cell phone from a preteen who has talked back to his or her parents. The consequences are mediocre and make me question if university authorities even care about their image, or more importantly, the safety of their students.
Reform is always an option worth trying, but at this point will reformation even stick? Or will it be shirked off like every suspension that has been placed on guilty fraternities?