The last thing we need is for the greek and non-greek communities to voice their social tension in a semester’s worth of scribble. My question is, if a person truly chooses to seek out philanthropic, academic, social, spiritual and physical success, why would one need the greek community? All of these schemes can be accomplished independently and at one’s own pace.

Of course, it is easier to improve oneself when you are part of a community of motivated people who can drive you to be better. However, there are plenty of opportunities to find this community while being a college student, so why should this be the focus to market greek life? Going greek should be about seeking a welcoming community that can vault a person into success they would not find on their own, for whatever reason.

Are sororities and fraternities obsolete? Absolutely not, but they’re not for everyone and they’re not for me. I don’t want to try out sorority life or investigate it, because I am lucky enough to be comfortable in the college community I have created and defined for myself.

Being greek isn’t easy, and marketing the greek program must be a nightmare — especially when one can overhear students wearing greek letters on a Wednesday afternoon on campus talking about passing out on the street or stairwell, or parading to class as though they walked out of the latest issue of GQ or Cosmo. These people scream stereotypes that the greek system tries so hard to fight, which is a shame. It’s too bad that a few people can spoil an image for so many.

Katie Petersen

Sophomore

Plant Health & Protection