2008 Woodie Awards
Who's the fairest of them all?
Muhlenberg Weekly Executive Board
Issue date: 3/1/07 Section: Op/Ed
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Sororities and fraternities are often thought of by non-Greeks according to their stereotypes: Beer, parties, sluts, stoners, scholars, drama, drugs. However, by falling prey to these misrepresentations, many lose sight of the community service administered through Greek hands, leadership seats that take on tasks as great as any Student Council position, real bonds that laugh in the face of "bought friends," and cultivated scholarship that often excels beyond the average mean. At the College, these truths, as we shall call them, pertain to the Greek community more than the derogatory stereotypes. Though you still see some of them represented through the certain crowds particular sororities and fraternities attract, if you take a good look, our Greek life and organizations are founded on these four steadfast ideals.
By now, we are sure that many of you have heard that a chapter of Delta Zeta at DePauw University has run into a sticky situation. An article run in The New York Times, "Sorority Evictions Raise Issues of Looks and Bias," details Delta Zeta's national officers interviewing the "socially awkward" sorority due to its declining recruitment numbers. The sorority was known for its cultural diversity and talent for attracting "brainy women." Yet, upon completing their interviews, national officers deemed 23 of the 35 women "insufficiently committed" and were evicted for the Chapter house. It just so happened that all 23 were either overweight or of varying ethnicities, leaving 12 women, "slender and popular with fraternity men," to attract new and similarly attractive recruits.
Unfortunately, Delta Zeta's nationals supported and demonstrated an appearance stereotype that many Greek organizations, especially sororities, try so hard to overcome. Greek life on college campuses should be a positive thing, fostering service, learning, friendship and acceptance. Perhaps the incident at DePauw, sad though it may be, has a greater purpose to remind all Greek organizations of their original tenements, especially that of understanding and acceptance. Here at the College, sororities and fraternities should take this message to heart though thus far, our Greek life has not let us down. With their Community Clean Up plan and efforts to raise money for charities, we feel the College's Greek life is on the right track to steering clear of harmful stereotypes.
By now, we are sure that many of you have heard that a chapter of Delta Zeta at DePauw University has run into a sticky situation. An article run in The New York Times, "Sorority Evictions Raise Issues of Looks and Bias," details Delta Zeta's national officers interviewing the "socially awkward" sorority due to its declining recruitment numbers. The sorority was known for its cultural diversity and talent for attracting "brainy women." Yet, upon completing their interviews, national officers deemed 23 of the 35 women "insufficiently committed" and were evicted for the Chapter house. It just so happened that all 23 were either overweight or of varying ethnicities, leaving 12 women, "slender and popular with fraternity men," to attract new and similarly attractive recruits.
Unfortunately, Delta Zeta's nationals supported and demonstrated an appearance stereotype that many Greek organizations, especially sororities, try so hard to overcome. Greek life on college campuses should be a positive thing, fostering service, learning, friendship and acceptance. Perhaps the incident at DePauw, sad though it may be, has a greater purpose to remind all Greek organizations of their original tenements, especially that of understanding and acceptance. Here at the College, sororities and fraternities should take this message to heart though thus far, our Greek life has not let us down. With their Community Clean Up plan and efforts to raise money for charities, we feel the College's Greek life is on the right track to steering clear of harmful stereotypes.