We need to be supportive of letting them have these conversations."Īt Towson University, where about 15 percent of full-time undergraduates belong to Greek organizations, the university has implemented a hazing education program for student groups. "We need to let students be leaders on this. "I'm not sure that national fraternities and sororities are comfortable having direct conversations about race," he said. He said students also must lead campuses in conversations about race. Sullivan, a Denver-based consultant who speaks about fraternity issues at about 100 campuses a year, said students must take responsibility for their actions and be aware that in the digital age, "it's harder to get away with stupid behavior." Syrett said a few colleges have banned fraternities, including Middlebury College in Vermont, but chapters continued to operate off campus. I think there would also be protests on the campus."Įven if a school banned fraternities, the Constitution protects freedom of association, and a campus ban could simply push fraternities to operate off campus and without university oversight, Syrett said. write letters to the powers that be at the universities and threaten to cease donations. "I think immediately there would be an enormous uproar from the alumni," Syrett said of any attempts to ban Greek life in the wake of scandals. Namely, Greek alumni can be powerful, vocal advocates, and donors. Banning Greek life or implementing strict oversight would come with obstacles, Syrett said. Such benefits, say Greek life advocates, cannot be overlooked even amid scandal.įraternities began in the 1820s as places for students to socialize and assert independence from what was then more stringent university oversight, according to Nicholas Syrett, a University of Northern Colorado professor who studies fraternity and sorority history. "When you join a fraternity and sorority, they open doors to you in the professional world that would not necessarily be open to you if you were not a member," he said. He was a member of Kappa Alpha Psi as an undergraduate at Cal State University-Sacramento. Last year, a similar measure also failed.īell acknowledged the positive side of fraternities. The measure died in the House of Delegates. Bell took two clients to Annapolis this month to lobby the General Assembly for a bill that sought to increase fines from $500 to $5,000 for incidents of criminal hazing. "It's illegal at all universities in Maryland." "What you did 20 years ago or 30 years ago, we don't live in that world anymore. "People want to give this stuff a wink wink and say it's OK," said Bell. He said hazing remains an "extremely big" problem and that fraternities and sororities have not adapted to what is socially acceptable. Maryland attorney Jimmy Bell has seen the darker side of fraternities, representing clients in lawsuits against frats for hazing allegations. "It's a culture shift, so it'll take awhile. "It's a matter of owning the narrative and putting out the positive we do, and not ignoring that fact that we can do better," Bonsu said of the scrutiny on Greek life. The SGA and other groups are also hosting forums to air issues, she said. In the wake of the incidents, Greek organizations at Hopkins agreed to stop hosting open parties, and student groups are now required to register any parties with the university, wherever they may occur.īonsu, a member of the Alpha Phi sorority and a senior neuroscience major, said there's an incentive: Those who register parties can get a security guard and snacks provided by the college. Hopkins has not been immune from scandal: Even before the investigation of the attack last fall, the university came under fire for not disclosing reports of an alleged sexual assault at another frat house the year prior. "We're all very much now aware of the problems that exist, and I think the problems that have happened nationally have made us more active and ready to be role models for everyone else," Bonsu said. Janice Bonsu, president of the Student Government Association at Johns Hopkins University, agreed. "That's what we're really struggling with." "We know that there has to be another way," he said. "The question is, can you find a way to promote a brotherhood or a sisterhood without having physical or mental harm?" McGee said.
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