It is often said that people have great strength in numbers. Greek organizations are a crucial part of the college years for many students, and can be a major source of school tradition and pride. They have deep historical roots across the country. However, they also are the source of many controversies and issues on college campuses, mainly due to the sexual violence that surrounds Greek culture. Mixers and parties, usually supplied with alcohol, can be a dangerous breeding ground for sexual misconduct. Requiring new members to be subjected to sexual assault or forced to violate others can be common and unspoken parts of brotherhood and sisterhood. To prevent future incidents and help raise awareness in the school community, multiple groups must come together to ensure a safe social environment for students.
One person’s courage to speak out against the illicit activities of a frat or sorority could have very serious implications for the future of that group. It is in the best interest of these organizations to be aware of their presence on campus, and ensure the well-being of both their own members as well as guests of their houses and parties. Students who feel comfortable and at home in their fraternities or sororities will in turn continue to promote a lively social atmosphere that attracts new, like-minded students. In addition, college and universities must take an active, no-nonsense policy towards their Greek organizations. Students in fraternities and sororities are much more likely to be perpetrators or victims of sexual assault when compared with non-Greek students. Ignoring issues of this nature is at worst morally reprehensible and at best bad business.
To start, male fraternities should discontinue the policies of having female quotas when hosting events or parties. Requiring members to bring groups of women in, as well as discounting entry fees for female students, contributes to an unsafe environment where students can fall victim to sexual violence, particularly under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Any event suspected of having gender ratios should be shut down immediately. Fraternities in these scenarios can be guilty of pressuring members to target female guests, or supplying women with separate batches of alcohol, which may be prepared much stronger or spiked with other drugs. Combined with the hyper-masculine environment of some fraternities, female students can be easily preyed upon.
Fraternities and sororities should eliminate any type of ritual or initiation that mandates sexual or physical violence. There are many ways to foster bonding and community, as well as have fun introducing new members to the group, besides fear, intimidation, and assault. The group attitudes arising from these Greek traditions can lead to homophobic and sexually violent tendencies. A Greek association that honestly believes they should torture their new members into the community is not one that students should want to be a part of.
Co-ed fraternities can be a good place to start shifting Greek mindsets. Allowing women to be a part of my Pi Lambda Phi chapter at UPenn has allowed for a very peaceful coexistence of male and female students. Members are very active in groups that combat sexual assault on campus, and seek to make the fraternity house a safe space regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender, or background. Harassment during pledge and by party guests towards brothers or other visitors to the house is strictly prohibited. Anyone who feels uncomfortable is encouraged to talk to a male or female brother in the house who can address their concerns. Having spaces where men and women can socialize together may help to diffuse the sexually charged nature of same-sex frats and sororities.
Other student groups can also play a big role in helping to change social and Greek life. LGBT+ and women’s groups on campus can continue to support students by giving space to the unique needs of students of varying gender identities and sexual orientations. Sexual assault prevention groups, such as the male group One In Four, could partner with fraternities and sororities to host honest, open dialogue about feeling safe while attending Greek parties or pledging. Alcohol and drug education is also very important here. Hearing a student's perspective and experiences would reach a much larger audience than standard school lectures, and help reduce the number of sexual crimes. Student groups must stress the importance of listening to one’s self. If a situation feels dangerous, threatening, or uncomfortable, a student should make every attempt to speak up or leave the event or activity, regardless of the perceived social repercussions. If a student is forced to continue doing anything they do not consent to, the matter should be reported to the proper student affairs faculty. Having student-run workshops and collaborative efforts between organizations will help people feel informed and comfortable regarding the Greek social scene.
Colleges and universities must enact severe punitive measures and repercussions for Greek organizations that violate students’ health and safety. Going to college means largely being left to yourself and becoming an adult without the constant supervision of teachers and parents. However, schools cannot knowingly turn a blind eye to dangerous and even life-threatening activities happening on or around their campuses. Of course, all students want a place that allows them to socialize and party without the interference of administration. But faculty should be accessible for students who have concerns and inquiries about Greek life, and schools should move to make their organizations a little more transparent. Fraternities and sororities who violate any student should immediately be in danger of losing their chapter. Slaps on the wrist do not help in scenarios where students' lives are at risk.
Every person coming of age wants to feel like they belong. Especially when attending a larger university or a school a good distance from home, students value having groups they genuinely feel a part of. Greek societies can help fulfill this need, but it should not be at the expense of a student's sexual and physical security. The common attitudes of Greek culture need to change. Brotherhood and sisterhood can still be an exciting and special part of college life without causing harm, and students should not have to suffer in silence because assault is perceived as normal. Sexual assault is never, under any circumstances, justifiable. When we think of how widespread hazing and borderline Stockholm syndrome is in these organizations, it is clear that these changes will not happen overnight. But taking a critical look at Greek life is a crucial part of combatting sexual assault in colleges. Students must learn to respect themselves and each other, and joining together, with the oversight of their schools, will help make socializing something to enjoy instead of fear.
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