Students continue to go Greek without university backing

By Troy Simpson

It's been nearly two years since the Santa Clara administration ended affiliation with the Greek system and many fraternities and sororities have higher membership levels than ever before.

"It has been more difficult [being off campus], but we've just learned to be more creative," said Delta Gamma President Tara Seracka. "Delta Gamma has grown more than ever in the last two years. We've moved under the governing body of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), which allows us more freedom in our choices than when we were under university policy."

Seracka said that Santa Clara policy allowed campus-affiliated sororities and fraternities a maximum of 35 new recruits each academic year. No longer regulated by university policies, sororities such as Delta Gamma are now governed solely by NPC guidelines, which allowed 63 new members two years ago and 45 new members last year.

Fraternities formerly associated with Santa Clara no longer have membership entrance regulations because they are not governed by the NPC or any other such Although enrollment is higher in many fraternities and sororities, keeping those numbers is difficult due to regulations set forth by the university, said Barceloux. Since disassociation, fraternities and sororities are no longer allowed to advertise events and fundraising on campus, use the Santa Clara name and symbols or reserve university facilities.

"[Disassociation] made us really strengthen our internal organization and really get out there and do it on our own," said Pi Kappa Alpha President BJ Ferguson.

"The one thing that actually hurt us the most is the stuff we do for philanthropy," he continued. "We built a house through Habitat for Humanity, and it would've really helped us if we could've used the school's resources to get more of the campus involved. I think [our survival] shows a lot of the character of the people who have taken over the Greek system. It's tough, but for us it's worth it because it's such a big part of our lives here at Santa Clara."

The decision to end support of the Greek system came officially in March of 2001 after the University Policy Committee on Student Affairs (UPC) reviewed the benefits and drawbacks of the Greek system on campus. The committee consisted of eight members of Santa Clara staff, faculty and students whom eventually reported their findings to university administration.

Although the UPC recommended keeping fraternities and sororities affiliated with Santa Clara under the agreement that specific and significant changes needed to occur, President Paul Locatelli, S.J., made the ultimate decision to end university affiliation with the Greek system.

In a letter to the members of the committee, Locatelli said: "One of the preconditions the committee recommends if the Greek system were to be retained is expansion of Greek advising through the allocation of 'substantive resources,' including additional staff and faculty time. It is important to note that such resources are not available. The additional resources proposed for Greek life would, in our view, be better spent on enhancing the quality of life for all students."

Alpha Phi President Kat Acker said that the UPC conducted the review process fairly and honestly, and that the decision made by Locatelli was made in the best interest of the university.

"They spent a long time and a lot of resources researching the Greek system and how [fraternities and sororities] fit into campus life at Santa Clara," said Acker. "I think it was a very fair process and they employed absolutely impeccable people to do it. I think Locatelli made the decision that he felt was best for Santa Clara. Whether the Greek system agrees with that or not, I believe it was made in a very fair light."

However, Barceloux said that although the period of review was lengthy and thorough, the administration was ultimately unfair in making the final decision.

"I think they didn't want the Greek system and no matter what the review said, they were going to kick us off [campus]," said Barceloux. "The review [agreed] unanimously to keep the Greek system and [the administration] still said no. How fair is that? I don't think we ever really had a fair chance."

With the decision to discontinue support of the Greek system on campus, the president's office also committed to expand social and recreational programs for student's, said Provost Denise Carmody. To date, Carmody says such changes include the creation of The Bronco (a student-based entertainment venue), expansion of food service and hours, development of an outdoor basketball hoop near the Malley Fitness Center and extension of the operational hours of the Orradre Library and Malley Fitness Center.

Although recent changes to some aspects of the university lifestyle are positive, Barceloux said that fraternities and sororities are an important aspect of college for many people because they offer an additional aspect to college life that is otherwise difficult to have.

"It's important for students to have a balance in what they do and to have outside activities as opposed to just school work and academics," said Barceloux. "There are a lot of events that we do that people would never have the opportunity to do if they weren't in a fraternity. I think the social side of college life is important and is sometimes overlooked at Santa Clara."

Other than social endeavors, some programs sororities and fraternities participate in include tutoring at middle schools, Habitat for Humanity, Multiple Sclerosis fundraising, Special Olympics, Race for the Cure and various other works.