Fraternity brothers
If you want to get the family dinner discussion going tonight, bring up the topic of the 5-year ban that Fresno State has levied on the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity after an investigation into the death of one of its members from alcohol poisoning and other alcohol-related violations by the fraternity. The editorial board got into an animated discussion at our weekly meeting and we ended up divided on the subject. The questions surrounding the incident made for an engrossing debate:
* Wouldn't a life ban on the fraternity send a much stronger message about the university's stance on underage drinking?
* How much responsibility can college-age students be expected to have over their peers?
* How much responsibility should the Greek system accept over the behavior of its members?
* Is there an adequate system in place for troubled students to get help?
* Isn't five years enough time for the current fraternity members to be out of college and a fresh group to begin? Why make innocent students pay for the mistakes of their elders?
* What kind of "brothers" could allow such an awful thing happen?
I went for the stronger stand. I see fraternities and sororities as organizations that should help students succeed in college. At their best, they provide a support system that lasts a lifetime. The Greeks have decades of experience with students. They know how to get it right and the Greek system should be first to insist on the toughest sanctions for a group that reflects poorly on them all.
Comments
at website http://www.phigam.org/page.aspx?page ID=113 you will find Foundation Supported Programs - Saving Lives Through Alcohol Education - Alcohol-free Chapter Housing (AFH) which discusses the problem of overuse of alcohol by college persons and talks about ways of coping with this and overcoming the problems it causes. Members of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity have been warned by the college and by the head of their fraternity about just such problems. They cannot claim lack of knowledge in this area. The problems of alcohol overuse on college campuses are many and serious. Perhaps acolhol should be permanentlyh banned on campuses and college living accomodations such as frat houses and also at all sports productions. Alcohol needs to be addressed as a very serious problem for all people. And the recent Bee article of alcohol laden jello type drinks for children is another indication of the insidiousness of the companies that make, advertise and attempt to make addicts out of small children should warn us of the corporate greed that inflicts our society.
Posted by: V Diane Corbin | February 1, 2006 10:13 AM
My school did quite well without Greeks-- or at least without Greek houses. Fraternities and Sororities existed but were on par with honor societies and other organizations. Allowing them a parallel structure to the school, with housing and other privileges, allows for excessive influence over their members and ought to be reconsidered.
Posted by: ScottM | February 1, 2006 3:01 PM
Well, there are several issues at hand...
1.) While a life ban on a fraternity (or sorority, for that matter) is a strong message, it does nothing to eliminate
the problem of students consuming too many alcoholic beverages.
If they...
a.) don't know any better
b.) refuse to listen
c.) seriously need medical attention for addictive behavior.
they will continue to exhibit the same destructive behavior, repeatedly.
Even dissolving a college fraternity/sorority's charter would be fruitless, for the same reasons.
The idea that being drunk or having a "buzz" is comparable to having fun is still reinforced, at some level.
2.) How much responsibility..? If a peer has obtained said beer, they endanger being tried for Involuntary Manslaughter. Parents may file a civil suit.
3.) Is there an adequate system..? Some would say one death proves inadequacy.
Obviously, someone acted irresponsibly, including the victim.
4.) Isn't five years enough time for the current fraternity members to be out
of college and a fresh group to begin?
That's five years the victim will never see...
Why make innocent students pay..?
A better question would be, "Why can't we better emphasize to our students that this behavior, if encouraged, will result in more fatalities?"
5.) What kind of "brothers" could allow such an awful thing happen?
Those that are not really "brothers"...
Posted by: Sean Dorman | February 1, 2006 3:30 PM