I wish that this recent SAE episode would really mean something greater....

[Tommy_Carcetti]

....regarding fraternities and sororities' at colleges. But I doubt it will.

The thing is, ever since my college days, I always wondered what the purpose of the "Greek" system was on campus. To me, it always seemed like a cheap way out, a way for rich, privileged kids to buy friendships and connections as opposed to having to work to make those things naturally. It also felt exclusive and cliquish, and really didn't add anything to the overall campus experience for anyone who wasn't in the fraternity.

Honestly, I would love for colleges nationwide to take a second look at the whole Greek thing and start doing away with them. The SAE incident only brings this home.

But my guess is that this will be treated like an isolated incident, until the next isolated incident arises.

[KittyWampus]

1. The ignorance on DU of the "Greek" system is appalling. It's like most DU'ers

watched Animal House and think every fraternity and sorority is like that.

There are fraternities and sororities DEDICATED to community service.

There are many other that may not dedicated to community service but do great things for kids, seniors, infirm etc.

It boggles the mind that so many DU'ers insist on spouting a cartoon version of reality.

[Orsino]

2. Thank you.

I am in two professional fraternities, both coed. They are not the droids the OP is looking for.

But scrutiny? The OP is right to call for it.

[slumcamper]

3. Yes there are socially responsible Greeks that do good deeds... however--

there are plenty of pretty damned irresponsible ones too.

And, the fact remains that they are largely "gated communities" that offer a ready-made social environment for the pampered and privileged youth of one-percenters--as the original poster rightly noted.

Unfortunately, their lack of genuine, real world experience in the broader, diverse social context is one reason for the childish and irresponsible behaviors that so many of them routinely engage in--not to mention the unenlightened conservative attitudes they hold.

A good, thorough housecleaning and shakeup of these antiquated closed communities and secret societies is in order.

[Maedhros]

4. I was in a fraternity at Oregon State University in the 80s.

I grew up in a trailer park in Central Oregon, with abusive alcoholic parents. Hardly rich or privileged.

I joined the fraternity simply because I liked the people in it. I am still very close friends with a number of my fraternity brothers. I've never even tried to use my membership for business connections.

That said, having been involved in the Greek system in school I feel qualified to criticize it. Exclusive, cliquish, privileged - those descriptors fit the majority of fraternities and sororities to a "T." Riddled with an attitude of entitlement and elitism. For the most part, I mocked and despised most of the conventions of the Greek system. However it is important to realize that there is a great deal of variance between different Houses, between different House chapters, and even from the chapter of one era and that of a succeeding era.

Like all institutions, fraternities and sororities must change with the times or go the way of the dinosaur. I don't think "doing away with them" is the right response - freedom of assembly is a bedrock of our society. But raising our expectations and holding them accountable for transgressions is a good way forward.