Understanding Your Teen

Well I had heard about all of the drugs in fraternities but I am surprised to hear the extent to which the drugs were being circulated. I can’t believe they found shotguns and semi automatic weapons. I am a San Diego State student and I am sure I know some of the people involved in the sting. It will be very interesting to see how this plays out in the next few weeks.

I agree Matt. It will definitely be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming weeks. Be sure to check back for new blog postings on the subject as the situation unfolds.

I know there is a big problem with drug trafficing at SDSU and I am glad they have done something about it. I just hope that people dont view this situation as a complete reflection of the Greek Community because that is completely the opposite of what we stand for. The Greek system will continue to do the great things we do for the betterment of our community, our university, and our members.

Becoming a part of the Greek Community has taught me the importance of learning how to work within a team environment as well as provide me with a network of friends that I can turn to when I need support. As a student spending his first year away from home at school, I can tell you that Sigma Phi Epsilon has been vital to providing me with love and guidance, Things I once received daily from my parents. In addition, SigEp is currently a vessel for me to achieve personal growth and achievement, as well as a heightened sense of camaraderie among my peers. Key aspects to my maturity only a Fraternity could provide.

I’ve done a lot of growing up as a result of rushing Sigma Phi Epsilon. It has opened my eyes to the fact that there are fraternities out there who don’t put partying, sex and drugs at the top of their priority list. However, it has also taught me that there are still those individuals out there, greek or not, who do. As with any crime, it is up to us as a community of students and citizens of San Diego to differentiate between these criminals and those who do the community a great service and give many young men a chance to grow and mature.

It’s GREAT to see all of these comments guys. Keep them coming. Be sure to email the blog posting to a friend, parent, professor, or anyone else you think might be interested. You can simply click the “email this to a friend” link that is at the bottom of the article = )

JT

As a former SDSU student and a member of the Greek System it is obvious a disappointment to see the school and the Greek System on the news in this manner. What I am finding a bit more frustrating is people naive remarks about State and the Greek system. It amazes me that grown adults can sit and throw stones at glasses house still. If you don’t see the good in what Greeks do and if you truly think that stuff like this is not happening in your school or your kids school…I think its about time to wake up. Thank you for putting together this blog for the other side of the story because as of yet the only side is that SDSU is a party school (I thought that title was for CU now we lost way back in the late 80) and the of unfortunately the Greeks are to blame, seems like when they need some one to blame we usually are there for the punching bags. Good Luck to all the houses that are involved, I hope that our national doesn’t find anyone from my old house or I know we will be gone.

This article is a great idea to effectively get the truth about fraternities out. I couldn’t agree more that the media dwells on negative news, especially when a member of “frats” (fraternities) break the law, and that the media needs to shed light on the positive aspects of Greek life as well. Greek life in my personal experiences has done nothing but positive things for me; specifically by keeping m grades up and being responsible for my actions.

I agree with Alden 100%. The media dwells on negative news constantly. The biggest problem about this whole situation is that all of the media coverage on campus today is just going to continue to spread false rumors about greek life here at state. I know for a fact that the majority of greek students aren’t even remotely involved in the drug ring, but the fact that some were seems to screw other greeks that weren’t involved over. I’m glad that we have some level headed people posting about positive aspects of greek life instead of just escalating the situation even more.

While there may be some good things that Greeks do, the whole concept of “brotherhood” and “friends” that you write about is part of the problem.

Would a “brother” turn a brother in for under-age drinking? Or in this case, drugs? While only a few may have been involved, it seems like many more knew and looked the other way. That’s the reason for the bad press.

I think it is absolutely ridiculous that people are even concerned about your fraternity status in a situation where hundreds of peoples’ families are hurting. It really shows how fraternities at our school, SDSU, concern themselves more on image than well-being for fellow students. It is really upseting that you all jump to the defense of your “brotherhoods” rather than coming together to fix the way our school is viewed. And just so you know, the fraternities have more drugs, alcohol, and weapons than I have ever seen amongst any other group of young adults. I do not agree with drug use and the frats are obviously promoting it. So I’m not intending to be rude but fraternities have nothing to do with the argument. Stop defending them. Stop blaming them. We are PEOPLE. We all go to school here. It is a wonderful school. So whether you are Greek or not, please get over your own issues and be more sympathetic to the families that are upset right now that their sons or daughters are going to prison and no one gives a shit about your fraternity’s/sorority’s status.

The point is, the brothers knew that illegal activity was going on and did nothing (other than perhaps a “heart-to-heart” conversation) to prevent it. That is the point of the bad press. Many in the frats, even those not directly involved, knew this illegal activity was going on. That makes them accomplices.

By doing nothing to stop and prevent drug dealing, you are in effect supporting drugs.

It is so sad to hear the news, yet again, focusing on fraternities and sororities as the problem on campus. Kind of funny that they completely forget about the students involved who are not Greek. The best thing we can do is to just keep up the great, positive things we bring to our communities.

ADMIN NOTE

REPLYING TO A COMMENT SOMEONE SAYS

If you’d like to refer to a comment that someone else said, please simply click “reply to this comment” (located inside each and every comment on this board) instead of posting a brand new comment. I’ve just installed this component on the blog a few mins ago so that we can all use it = )

I hope this feature sparks some good old fashion issue debating. I think it’s important that EVERYONE’s opinion is shown on here for the world to see.

I am sorry for the confusion as well. I should not have insinuated that all Greeks promote drugs. That is definitely not true. It is still ridiculous, however, that the issue of Greek life is even involved. That’s great that you feel like you do great things for the community; I’m sure that your fraternity is great. However, I must say that many of the houses on our campus do not do great things for the community. Philanthropies, for example, are very cool because they raise money for charity. It is quite ironic, however, because most people are drunk at these “charity” events. That is not helping the community or the school. And money spent for that alcohol could also be saving lives of those in need. And these points are merely directed at a few fraternities and sororities, not the majority. My main point is that we should stop defending the status of Greek reputation. Because honestly in the scheme of life, it doesn’t matter. And one day you will look back and laugh at how important you thought the little things were to you. There is much, much, MUCH more to life my friend.

I think everyone is getting a little off topic with their negative comments. This blog is simply to provide a positive argument to the present and future negative views that are being placed on the members of greek community who have not had and never will have anything to do with drugs and present a positive atmosphere in the stressful environment of college. Me and my brothers do the best we can to help each other out ALWAYS. I feel that this “drug bust” will actually help the greek community, It has riddled out some of the bad members and hopefully taught the other members a lesson and will eventually allow the greek community to thrive like it always has and will. I believe this is what the police had intended all along and they did a good job in conducting a very well organized “clean up” and allow the fraturnities to to what they are here to do. To create a positive atmosephere where members can enjoy themselves, Grow as individules, do good in school, and do good for their community.

I agree with Baluski that even though this “drug bust” tarnishes SDSU’s greek system in the end the greek system will prevail. The reason I joined Sigma Phi Epsilon is because we do much more than just party. We pride ourselves on being gentlemen and we do what’s right. Sure partying goes on, but that’s definately not the forefront of our fraternity. The entire Greek system shouldn’t get a bad rep because of this incident we should let it pan out and everyone will realize that this only helped weed out the members of fraternities that needed to be removed.

All the kids in the house new about what was going on. They should be kicked off campus forever. Idiots are going to ruin it for everyone in the whole greek system.

Knowing the boys in the house personally, I can say that not all the boys in that frat knew what was going on, and the ones that did were trying to get the ones involved removed. The group as a whole should NOT be punished because of a few stupid members.

I can say that I personally believed in the negative stereotypes that go along with fraternities because of the media and movies like American Pie or any movie about fraternities. The truth is I joined a fraternity recently and my eyes were opened up to what really goes on. I had certain expectations about the members: that they would be jerks who only cared about drinking, partying, and having sex. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Everyone was super nice and super involved in the school and the community. Each fraternity has dozens upon dozens of executive or cabinet positions, with each position specific to a certain task. The fraternity is such an efficient organisation that gets things done. Whether it’s raise 2000 dollars in a few short weeks for a wheelchair foundation, or practice everyday for a week to win a tallent show, or have a retreat to get to know your brothers, or an exchange with a sorority to meet your next girlfriend and possible wife. There are so many possitive aspects of a fraternity that cannot be expressed here. A fraternity is like a club but litterally like 10,000 times more productive and more like a family. It’s a place where we can meet new people guys and girls. Where we can bounce ideas off of one another and push each other to become better men. It is really one huge family and a place where a guy can always go to hang out, get advice, and enjoy fellowship. Joining a fraternity is the most significant and best decission of my college life and everyone who is quick to take that away from us fraternity members, please think twice. It may be true that there are a few guys who join for the cliche and stereotypical frat boy scene and there will always be a dud that sells drugs or rapes a girl. But those duds can be found in any community. Believe me, removing the fraternities does not remove the duds, instead it takes away something that is good for students. Good for them to network, and meet people, and get involved in school and the community. I am all for the drug bust and getting rid of the duds. But that has just been accomplished and a very powerful message has just been sent through the school about the seriousness of drugs. Do not hurt fraternities or have a negative attitude towards them because of false information or subliminal messages through the media. I can’t see getting rid of the greek system or talking negatively about it as being anything but ignorance. The greek systems do so much good for the students, the school, and the community.

Good for you for speaking out and using this as an opportunity to bring light to all of the positive things that Greeks bring to campuses and communities across the country! It’s not like drugs are only found in the Greek system…I’d say they’re more often found outside. Thanks for speaking your mind.

As a transfer student to SDSU and full time hater, I think this is great. All of the sorority girls are whining about their friends being busted and frat guys are talking about their lawyers. Excuse me but a 19 year old has a lawyer… I wonder if now they are going to become fashionable on campus similarly to Rainbow sandals and large bags.
When I attended orientation before the current semester, I paid something like fifty dollars to listen to four hours of why I should become a part of Greek life; I was asked if I had considered it. Ummm I already have drinking buddies thanks, and I organize my own community service group.
I don’t think the media is covering this very clearly, but the snivelers need to take into consideration that the media is fucked. From what I am hearing on campus the only thing people seem to be upset about is the fact that fraternities are now made to look like candy men, but what about all of the weapons? Our school is ranked in the top ten in the nations for crimes against women; a majority of these are committed by men in fraternities and jocks… They got what they deserved.

Hey Everyone

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INVITE ALL YOUR FRIENDS

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Group is at
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A war is being fought that will never be won, no matter how much money or effort is put towards it. The drug use on campus was, majority speaking, is a social habit. The students who were arrested were leading successful lives, about to graduate from college, and about to move on with their lives. Instead their lives have been shot down and now they will add to the over populated prison system of America. Lives were ruined, when they were not harming other peoples lives. This same drug scene has been around college campuses for decades and it will never change. Also that fact that they directed the drug bust towards fraternities is absurd. More people who were not in the Greek system were arrested than not, so why would it be any different that we are in a fraternity. What if a few of the drug dealers worked at a grocery store, would you accuse “grocery stores” for the drug problem, NO. The whole situation is ridiculous and should have never been approached the way it was.

I think the point you are all missing here is that by being part of an organization you are now representing that organization. It doesn’t matter if 1 person was caught dealing drugs, the fact that he was a part of that organization makes it so that whole group of people look bad. Seriously, that is the way it works. I have talked to frat students who told me that they couldn’t go drinking with their letters on because it would look bad on their frat, and it’s true. Why? because by joining a frat, they now represent it and its morals and rules, etc…If one messes up, the whole frat gets the bad rep, and well you should have been more aware of who does what. It’s the same in the real world, you are the representative of a major corporation, and then you go out drinking, get in a fight, and get sent to jail. Your actions just tarnished that company for hiring you, and it would lose respect as a major corporation.

The thing that also gets me is that two of the alleged criminals, is that one was getting a Masters in Homeland Security and the other was getting a bachelors in Criminal Justice. Would you really want people like this to be in charge of programs that are supposed to be keeping the community safe and free from these kind of behaviors?

I have nothing against Greek life, it’s just that most seem to be missing the point that being part of the Greek life, they must have to take it upon themselves to uphold their values, if not then the frats look bad. Tough luck, but that is the way that life goes.

Well I hear your argument, however I was included in a lot of activities this past year with “your” frat and there were a bunch of guys in your house taking drugs. IN YOUR HOUSE!!!! At meetings on Sunday nights you guys talked about sex, and alcohol non stop. How can you say that it is not a big part of Greek Life. If it is not, your fraternity is definitely not abiding by the “true” values. Yes you do meet people, but a lot of the guys in it come from families with some money and are enjoying every moment. They think they are untouchable and I personally hope that this investigation goes deeper and they truly stop all of this non sense so that fraternity life can go back to the way it should be. I wish you the best and I am glad you have a good view of fraternity life but dont pretend to be oblivious to all the activities that go on even in YOUR OWN house. You are on the board in the house. Take Care.

I think this whole situation is quite commical.
Ofcourse I’ve been to a few frat parties, and I’ve consumed the alcohol they provide, which is under my own responsibility. But how can even providing alcohol to minors give frats a good reputation? You claim that you “stand for great things”, which I think is a joke. Why serve alcohol? So the youth at state can have a “good time”. You all wish to be amongst the top houses by throwing the “sickest” themed parties such as “golf pros and tennis hoes”, whoa great way to meet your future wife buddies. If frats were about brotherhood, helping the community, then they wouldn’t be worried about what the next theme to their weekend extravaganza would be. As I said, yes, I have had my fun at them, but it’s not needed.
But about the drug bust, how many people were arrested that were in fraternities? I’m more then it was more, then as previous post have been stating, “one or two”. It’s been stated that the drugs have been sold at the houses, are you kidding me? And other brothers didn’t knwo about it? I’ve seen people TAKING drugs at the house parties, where theres atleast 20 boys that are in the frats, could they not see it happening? Could they not do anything about it?
Kind of pathetic if you ask me.
But atleast this situation will bring a major change, I can’t wait to see how many boys will rush next fall knowing that the greek party life is going to settle “a little bit”.
Maybe this time these will be the ones that actually care about what the greek life “stands for”.

Some of you may have seen the facebook group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=17380634107. Some shameful member of the group posted a t-shirt on the group making fun of the drug situation at SDSU.

I’ve now removed this t-shirt, as it WAS NOT posted by me (Jon Tucker). Please see the facebook wall posting below for full details

***FACEBOOK POSTING FROM A MINUTE AGO*****

I DID NOT TRY TO SELL THE SHIRT. SORRY!

I apologize to everyone. When I created this posting I didn’t take notice that anyone in the group could actually make wall posts. I have been studying/taking finals all day and just now saw that this post was online.

I have (1) taking down the t-shirt (2) changed the settings to NOT allow anyone in the world to post that shit (3) messaged everyone that was angered by it on the wall so that they can understand the situation.

Sorry for the confusion.

I DID NOT POST THE SHIRT = (

I’m not sure what it takes for people to realize that this happens EVERYWHERE. Sdsu isn’t the only college in the United States that has had a drug trafficking problem, and I hope that every individual out there that is pointing fingers towards the greek life at SDSU can take a step back and look at the things that are going on around their campus. Instead of pointing fingers, make a change. If you have nothing supportive to say to SDSU Greek, get off of this website. I know there are plenty of other frats at state that are full of complete GENTLEMEN, and I hope they continue to be those gentlemen so they can prove to everyone that there is still good at SDSU.

COMMENTS WILL NOW WAIT TO BE APPROVED

Considering the HUGE amounts of exposure this site has gotten all of the sudden, comments now will not be posted on the site until they’re approved by the admin of the site.

A couple people posted on the facebook with some really shameful things related to the Greek community. I think it’s important to keep this site positive.

Lets do our best to stay positive!

nice to see greeks and nongreeks coming together over this issue, its a schoolwide problem.

But the thing is that they proved fraternity members, not necessarily dealing, knew of the fact so obviously they are guilty by association

The thing you need to understand, Nicole, is that when someone goes through recruitment and pledges and eventually becomes initiated in a Fraternity or Sorority, they pledge to uphold a group of values that are meant to promote the betterment of society. From that point on, every action they take is no longer merely a representation of their own character, but a representation of their lettered organization.

So when the media reports on an incident involving drugs and Fraternity members, those members have not only let down themselves, or their Fraternity, but the Greek Community as a whole. It seems pretty obvious that if a parent of an incoming freshman watches the news and sees that Fraternity brothers are involved in a drug ring, they are less likely to allow their child to rush a fraternity. Similary, communities such as college towns cite incidents like this as motivation to put more restrictions on Lettered organizations.

Of course the incident affected families and various people. But the point of this article is that the events of one small group of people in an isolated community still affects the rest of us. As a member of the Greek community in Northern California I have seen the effects first hand. So don’t think that the incident only affects one group of people because it doesn’t.

But the problem is that nationwide, Greek organizations take the criticism and are stereotyped as “gang-like” organizations when this simply isn’t the case.

Being in a sorority from a different campus, I understand that a lot of similar things happen at fraternities around here. However, drugs + alcohol are everywhere, NOT just in fraternities. Also, the majority of fraternity brothers are not doing/dealing drugs, so to put every member of a fraternity into that group is ridiculous.

I’m saddened by this event, but I’m not quite sure why the media does not realize that people at college campuses across the nation - and not just fraternities - serve underage alcohol and deal drugs. This is not an isolated event.

I don’t see this ‘bust’ as being a solution to these types of college activities.

I agree with you. As an SDSU student, a non-Greek, AND a resident advisor (RA), I understand that people in my situation often blame the Greek system for these issues. This happens a lot when we deal with issues (ex. alcohol poisoning) back at the residence halls that often go unnoticed by the Greek system. When we talk to these students, they have very often been at frat parties. However, I see this as a community issue, not a simple frat issue. These are individuals making their own decisions. These incidents happen outside of school and the Greek system, too. I am overwhelmed by the enormous contribution to charity that Greek system has made. I find it sad that this type of contribution is not publicized since there’s no sensationalizing that can be done with such news. I believe the Greek system needs to saturate the student paper and come out and talk about the positive impacts. I do think the Greek system needs to take some responsibility and improve the conditions that may lead to such incidents but all SDSU student and members of the community need to take responsibility too because it’s all our community.

I agree with everything in this blog. Unfortunately, all the good attributes to a Greek organization are overshadowed by the bad and the parties. Being a fellow Greek at San Diego State, I can honestly say that we work hard to play hard. People who are not Greek, or claim to be anti-Greek do not understand that we have requirements that each house must fulfill in order to remain as a recognized organization on campus. They also do not like to acknowledge the fact that we do like to do good for the community. And maybe for a change, realize that we’re not as dumb as they like to think we are.

Instead, they judge us upon the fact that we party [as if they don't], drink underage [as if they don't], and like to have fun.

I have written a small retaliation mainly to the negative media hype about SDSU in my blog: http://yingyingstale.blogspot.com/

Do not judge us Greeks unless you really know and understand what we’re all about.

Stop try to defend the facts that drugs really isn’t a big deal in the greek system. Oh they’re big on almost all campuses and ESPECIALLY in the Greek system. I bet you 7 or 8 out of 10 Greeks do some kind of drugs (pot counts). I totally agree with the “original” idea of being in the system; the whole brotherhood, connections, and all the stuff you mentioned above in this blog. I am pretty sure those qualities still exist, but too bad some “extra curricular activities” haven been brought into that system through out the nation.

I mean are you kidding me?? Don’t walk around and tell people that drugs is not what the Greeks is all about. I am sorry but it has been labeled with the Greeks. I have friends who are in Sororities and Frats who openly admitted that over half the people in their houses do drugs. Even my roommate who just rushed last semester was telling me how easy and common it was to have access to drugs, and not just marijuana. I am not saying all houses are addicited to drugs, and people who are not in the Greek system has NOTHING to do with any of that; but you all know that the majority of you people do either pot, coke, or Meth. etc That is just part of who we are TODAY when we’re speaking of PARTYING. First the syphillis outbreak, now the drug bust?? How about promoting more of your charities like some wheelchair foundation somebody brought up in a comment? It’s just sad………….

All I have to say is that I used to be one of those girls who looked at sororities and fraternities and thought “These are just a bunch of slutty and dumb people who like to party and are going nowhere in life”

Then my roommates convinced me to join.

My point is- you CANNOT understand the full and wonderful impact of Greek life unless you are in it.
There is no way you can understand the brotherhood/sisterhood that happens, the hours spent on philanthropy events, the hours you spend cheering and supporting your sisters/brothers unless you go through it.

I now am a firm supporter of all things Greek.

Don’t let a few people take down the whole system!
Show the world we stand for so much more than sex, drugs, and alcohol!

Well, I just hope the greek system does whatever they can in terms of damage control. By the way, the “focusing on negativity” and “bad apples ruin a good batch”: compelling arguments. The whole trying to erase the bad image by saying you guys raise money for charity; not so much. You can’t use that as a defense for the amount of trouble some of these guys caused. Yeah sure, those guys trafficked drugs, BUT they raised money for handicapped people…….So what? We should let them off the hook because they help people? Oh please.

People need to realize that just because someone may hear about parties at frat houses, it does not mean that fraternities are the only ones who party. I’ve read numerous studies that have proved that fraternities and sororities do not necessarily party more than non-Greek students. It is a ridiculous claim in the first place. People feel the need to blow out of proportion the fact that the person was part of Greek life when that is just a fraction of their life and their involvement as a college student. Greek members are encouraged to participate in other activities aside from being a Greek member. The fact that the media feels the need to advertise the fact that fraternity members were involved in this recent drug bust is outlandish and unfair towards the accused fraternity. One person, even if they are part of a fraternity, should not be the example for the rest of the fraternity population. I really do feel sorry for the fraternities named in news reports because that will severely hurt their recruitment for the next few years and they do not deserve that victimization.

And for those naive people that feel the need to say that it doesn’t matter whether or not fraternity members and sorority members raise money for charities, that is a load of bullshit. It is a huge aspect of being Greek to help out the community. The reason why people focus on that, is to show that EVEN THOUGH SOME PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ACCUSED of selling drugs, there are a lot of members that focus their attention of helping their community and contributing to the charitable spirit of being in the Greek system.

Being Greek is an amazing opportunity.

ive been at SDSU for four years and throughout those four years there, there have been a handfull of deaths and to many fights to count that most if not all have had and been affiliated with greek life. There is obviously going to be a negative vibe towards that aspect of life at SDSU, and i think that it can definatly be a negative vibe. when you have to pay endless amounts of money where a majority of that money goes towards throwing “get togethers” aka parties, its a wonder that the community will look at that as a bad thing. Sure the greek community helps out with events and throws other things to raise money, once or twice a year…. and where only a handful of the member show up and/or participate. So when a HUGE drug bust occurs on a campus and there is a tie to SIX frats i think that has to say something. and again of course there is going to be a negative look. I really dont know how to feel about the whole subject, i just think its funny that these frats are claiming ignorance towards this drug bust thing. the individual is a member or your frat or was a past member at some point these individuals who are caught selling, using, whatever with the drugs was affiliated with your particular frat. I think that this was a great thing to happen to the campus, not so much towards the greek life but just that it shows at least some school officials and local officals care about the students. And i do agree that at ANY and i mean ANY university across the country, if the DEA was to do a undercover six month invesigation there would be a signifigant amount of arrests and people put to blame, however i still feel that a majority of them would be affiliated with affiliated with greek life. not the religious frats, not the business and psychology and other fraternities, but the frats that throw parties three days a week and are continuously causing problems in the area.

Frats are a joke. Full of toolbags that pay for their friends. End of story. Greek life should just disappear

“Fraternity life is not all about partying, sex, drugs, and rock and roll as the public seems to think.”

i don’t think anybody associates frats with rock and roll. i don’t think i’ve ever known a frat boy who plays an instrument … but cocaine, definitely.

maybe you’re in a christian school or something but at universities of california, it sure seems like a lot of cocaine and hundreds of kegs goes through frat houses. i did not develop this stereotype from reality TV or something - this is personal experience after 5 years at a UC.

i’ve had frat boys try to punch their way through bouncers at my party claiming that their frat has the right to be at any party they want. we threw their punk asses out b/c we way outnumbered them but that’s the mentality i see when i visit frat houses and when they visit me.

so you’re right that not all frat boys are coke-heads and rapists, but there seems a higher likelihood that a random frat boy is a coke-head than a random non frat boy.

As devastating as it was to learn of the drug bust at San Diego, the lowest blow came from the media’s obvious slant against the Greek System. While everyone here has brought up the wonderful points of service, community, brother/sister-hood, if the portrait we paint to our fellow non-Greek students remains that of the party attitude, perhaps we should find ways to illuminate our finer qualities in a more public light.
I love the fundraisers all of our chapters have here at UCDavis, but often the rest of the student body never learns of them. Our student newspaper never reports of any of the amazing results. Stepping away from drug bust, has anyone tried to search for a national total of all philanthropic donations made by fraternities and sororities combined? It was as though looking for a needle in a hay-stack!
Someone mentioned closing ranks within our respective chapters and looking inward for guidance and rebuilding. I suggest we may need to open our doors and allow ideas for improvements.

On a personal tangent; as a sorority member and a member of an NCAA team, I am highly offended someone would lump together greeks and athletes as toolbags or any other such degrading name. More likely than not, such an ignorant prick has at least a jersey or two of his favorite professional athlete tucked away in his closet. And it’s probably safe to assume said athlete has been victim to acussations of sexual abuse, rape, drug, slander, bribes, and any assortment of other finger-pointing.

“From the outside looking in, you can never understand it. From the inside looking out, you can never explain it.” can it be explained any better?

It’s so sad to see things like this happening- not just on college campuses, but anywhere- especially since it seems to be happening with people of younger ages more recently. I guess I just wanted to give a little example of how the Greek system can change someone’s life for the better who may have been on the wrong path in the first place.

I was arrested for a DUI my senior year of college- I was pulled over, searched, put in handcuffs, booked and spent the night in jail amongst approximately 50 or so men. It was the worst night of my life. I was the first girl in my sorority to ever have something happen like that. I was embarrassed and ashamed of my actions and that what I had done may have a negative effect on my sorority.

I was found guilty and fined over $2000 by the state, and my university asked for over 100 hours of community service. But my sorority, instead of punishing me, asked me to speak about what happened that night and what had led to it. This actually forced me to come to terms with my drinking and it’s negative consequences. Instead of writing a check to make it go away, or filing papers to finish hours, the sorority made me reflect on my actions and explain to our other members the consequences that come from every decision we make. In a time in my life when I was the most worried about losing people because of what embarrassment I may have caused, my sorority sisters banned together beside me and gave me a stronger foundation to stand on. They helped me to learn from my mistakes and more importantly, have the courage to teach others from them.

I can understand why people may want to blame the Greek system. I know that in the beginning, it was easier for my family and friends outside of my sorority to point the finger at a larger organization. But the truth is that the Greek system can be life changing in the most positive way… Sometimes people would just rather have a scapegoat than believe that his or her child is capable of such mistakes. But I’m writing this to say that we are human and we make mistakes and I’m not asking to be excused for those mistakes- I’m just saying that we should hold the individuals responsible and allow them to do their own penance instead of pointing at a group because it’s easier.

I was lucky enough to be given a second chance by those who cared for me and I’m a stronger and smarter woman now because of it- That DUI would have happened whether or not I had been in a sorority- but the way I was able to overcome the incident and grow from it was a direct result of the love and care that came from my sisters.

Well I’m not Greek but I do hang out with a LOT of greeks. My opinion is just because it was a greek who was the main source of all of this Does NOT mean that all greeks are like that. Thats like saying all geeks are ugly. which is obviously wrong! There are definitely some hott guys/girls that can out smart pretty much anybody! You can’t label a group! I used to think of the greek system in a bad way, but i was proven wrong when I met some friends and realized they were greek so i gave their lifestyle a shot to be around. its not bad at all! Now does that mean that all of a sudden I am in a group that is known for drugs, rape, and other misbehaving conduct? NO! It means I hang out with people who happen to be a part of a Brotherhood! I haven’t read any of these other comments so sorry if some of this seems to be a repeat.

The one thing that was extremely emphasized upon my joining of a sorority was that everything you do will either credit of discredit your organization. I know it may not seem fair but that is the way Greek Life is. It sucks that a member may get involved in a situation such as this. They took that pledge and we in turned pledged them with trust. They know that their actions are going to effect whether or not it is in a bad or good way their organization. This is never going to change, people will always step out of line. In any issue whether it is Greek Life to even the World News the bad is publicized more than the good. All you can do is educate your members and hope that they act accordingly and publicize the good you do as much as possible.

I am saddened to hear that the mistake of just few members of greek fraternities have tarnished the image of fraternities and sororities all over the United States. It is very important that at this time we stand together, because we must realize that though we are only one person, our actions can reflect both good and harm upon our reputation as a greek community.
Although each chapter supports its own values, we must remember that each action reflects upon the entire greek community with our values reaching a farther than any individual fraternity or sorority. It is important to learn from our mistakes and move forward. The greek community is one of the strongest I have ever witnessed and we all know that our good deeds often go unnoticed. It is of the utmost importance to keep moving forward and prove to everyone time and time again that we are people of substance, of morals and of high acheivement standards. Do not let one bad event determine the course of history, let our good deeds prove how great we, as Greeks, really are.