Heads in the sand

By Editorial

No one should ever expect the university to re-endorse the greek system. Santa Clara administrators still say that they'll refuse to support something that affects hundreds of undergraduates.

But it's now time to recognize this growing group of students and afford them the same rights and ability to publicize events.

When an institution tries to fix a problem, there are unintended consequences. It's easy to cast away a group, hope that they'll die off campus without any sort of funding, and be routed to the ash heap of Santa Clara history. How wrong the university's been through an RLC-induced pipe dream that greeks will ever vanish.

Greek life had been a visible part of the social fabric of Santa Clara until fraternities and sororities were kicked off campus three years ago. Some chapters had left when the university pulled endorsement. And some, like California Phi (formerly Sigma Alpha Epsilon), remain under a different name.

There's a time when being idealistic stops, and pragmatism should start. There is no reason why greek organizations shouldn't be allowed to post flyers of events around campus, or advertise in university publications, such as The Santa Clara. It is odd when outsiders can post announcements (such as one individual who asked for hired help to rearrange items in his or her house), but students who make up a notable segment of undergraduate life are forbidden to do so.

The restrictions could have lethal consequences. Last week on this page, columnist Michael Maxwell reported he personally had difficulties trying to plan rape education courses for a group who isn't even supposed to exist.

"We can present to the athletes and any other group of influence at Santa Clara," he says, "but pigs will fly before the administration will let us present to a fraternity."

The university shouldn't provide funding for greek life, but at least being practical and recognizing that students don greek letters is the first step to pull one's head out of the sand.