TO THE EDITOR:
The University is not showing any level of seriousness with the desired Greek system renovations.
Adding alumni oversight to fraternities is unlikely to effect change in any aspect of the organization. The selection of alumni will most likely fall into the hands of the current members. With selection in the hands of the students who, in many cases, do not want change, how can the University expect a change to occur? The selected alumnus could even be a president from the previous year, the one who made the organization into the way it is.
The solution to changing the face of the IFC is to control the money that the organizations use. Presently, many fraternities throw parties using fraternal funds and likely hide it in their budgets as “Groceries” and “Supplies.”
If the fraternities had to go through the University to get reimbursements for all purchases, and had to provide proof of what was purchased and for what purpose, then there would be less alcohol and drugs present in the Greek system.
Instead of buying supplies from a communal fund, an individual collection for every party would be necessary. And when students have to start paying for their parties out of their own pockets instead of the fraternity dues that, for the most part, is paid by their parents, there will be less partying. With money sitting in the University coffers, maybe the students will actually use it for more community service and other noble causes.
Scott Neidich
Inactive brother of
Alpha Epsilon Pi
Senior
Biology, chemistry
