Greek system should be openly discussed, options weighed

By Ben Childs

In the spring of 2001, Santa Clara's Greek system was kicked off campus so that the university could refocus funds for campus life.

Seven years later, the Greek system is not only thriving, but growing with the addition of Sigma Chi fraternity last year and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority this fall.

As the university welcomes a new president, it is time to reconsider whether bringing Greeks back on campus is in the best interest for students and campus life.

We need to examine the impact this change would have on the Santa Clara community and explore how the incorporation of Greek organizations might be worth the resources it would demand. On Oct. 11, 2000, then-Provost Denise Carmody charged the University Policy Committee on Student Affairs (UPC) to conduct a review of the university's Greek system.

The intent was to determine if the Greek system contributed positively "to building a vital community of scholars whose members collaborate as partners in learning and scholarship to provide an integrated educational experience."

After conducting research and hearing presentations from several sources, the UPC concluded that the system should be retained, but outlined significant changes it wished to see.

In President Paul Locatelli, S.J.'s Initial Response on March 2, 2001, he wrote that the changes recommended by the UPC were practical, but the money needed to implement them could better be spent improving student life on campus, such as the creation of the Bronco, as well as the relatively young Residential Learning Community program.

Locatelli wrote, "Greek life raises a significant concern insofar as it could easily become a distraction from or competitive with the RLC experience."

In his Recommendation Decision, written on March 21, 2001, Locatelli wrote that the university would be withdrawing its support of the Greek system. The plan was that the individual Greek organizations would contact their national offices and close for good by 2003. This, of course, never happened, and with a few exceptions, the national chapters have continued to support the existing five Greek organizations over the past seven years.

Just because a record number of students are rushing and new chapters are being created does not make Locatelli's decision retroactively wrong. A lot has changed in the past seven years. However, coupled with the arrival of new university President Michael Engh, S.J., who will begin in January, it would be prudent to take a look back at not only the logic behind the decision, but the UPC's report as well.

Now that RLCs are established and successful, I find it difficult to imagine that reinstating the Greek system would detrimentally affect the RLC program.

Regardless of whether Greeks are on campus or not, freshmen are required to live on campus, and the RLCs provide an excellent way to become integrated into the school in a way that no other organization can. They may be two different options, but they are not mutually exclusive.

The Greek system also provides an opportunity for the university to reach out to its off-campus students. By having faculty advisors meet with Greek organizations on a regular basis, per the UPC's recommendation, students can be educated on alcohol use, harassment and other issues. Many clubs, organizations and off-campus houses -- Greek or not -- could use help in this respect.

Greek organizations, however, provide a uniquely large student audience that can be defined and spoken to directly. Because of this, they can be held accountable for their actions. Instead of ignoring their occasional wrongdoings, which are talked about all around campus but never addressed, these issues could be put into the context of organizational leadership and learning opportunities.

In his Recommendation Decision, Locatelli noted that it was unclear whether Greek organizations "advance the university's strategic vision, values and mission." Arguments have been made for and against the values and mission of the Greek system. The UPC's report said it best.

They stated their reluctance toward putting issues like this in a continuum of "pedagogical weight" when doing so could "lead to diminution of the non-academic dimension of student life that goes neglected to our students' collective detriment." Academics should be the cornerstone of our university, but student life and school spirit are other essential parts of the college experience.

Regardless of the student experience, one of the main issues cited by Locatelli seven years ago was the financial investment that harboring a university-supported Greek system would require.

In a recent interview, Executive Assistant to the President Jim Briggs said that the decision in 2001 was "heavily financial, and that the university felt that if it was to have the type of Greek system that was compatible with Santa Clara, that it would take a great deal more resources than was committed to it at the time."

The Greek system has its share of problems, but thinking that these issues are unique to Greek organizations is logic that blames them because they're an entity that can be easily cornered, while other students often get away with the same acts.

Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of Greek life, the university could embrace these organizations that raise tens of thousands of dollars each year for heart disease, multiple sclerosis and other charities. Santa Clara could reach out to them instead.

Many of the students in our community like the Greek system and recognize its importance. Implementation of the UPC's recommendations in their report -- like delaying rush until sophomore year and the recognition of multi-cultural fraternities -- would lead to a more accountable and more involved Greek system than the one that the university kicked off campus over seven years ago. This would lead to a stronger university with a deeper appreciation for student life and a more thriving and dynamic campus community.

Supporting Greek life as a legitimate option for students would cost money, but the money would be well spent toward making our diverse community even more inclusive. As the university moves forward in its long-term plans for student life, it is time to have an open discussion about Greeks' place on campus once again.

Ben Childs is a senior English major.