Mental health was the issue that came to the forefront of campus discussion last year, and this year — initially, at least — it looks like Hamilton’s Greek life will assume such a role.
On Monday, Sept. 24, Dean of Students Terry Martinez visited Student Assembly and spoke at length about issues her office and the administration were prioritizing for the years ahead, like Digital Hamilton, Residential Hamilton, and experiential learning. She also talked about the creation of the Blue Ribbon Committee and the Alcohol Strategies Working Group. The former applies directly to Greek life; the latter less so. Still, it is not hard to imagine how a group that looks to use “evidence-based practices” to “minimize dangerous drinking behaviors on campus” could find itself overlapping with the Committee’s work in certain areas.
Dean Martinez said that the Blue Ribbon Committee, which generally refers to a group of leaders tasked with analyzing and addressing a given issue, was formed as a result of a recommendation from an external review of Greek life at Hamilton. More information on the Committee’s formation and goals can be found on page 2 of this week’s issue. Overall, though, it seems like changes are coming for fraternities and sororities sooner rather than later. Dean Martinez, when asked what these changes might look like, answered that she is thinking about: “Local chapters versus national chapters, for our sororities in particular […] certificates of insurance, chapter advisors, pledge period, recruitment period, the rush period, education around hazing, thinking about requirements that we set, evaluating those and making those public, and thinking about how the ISC or Greek Judicial Board sets standards and holds each other accountable.”
What you think of these proposed changes and requirements probably depends on what you relationship is like with Greek life on campus. Last week, in the Sept. 20 issue of the Spec, a writer offered a critique of sororities at Hamilton, referring to a “cyclical process of degradation.” This week, you’ll see that some sorority members have written a response to this piece in support of their organizations.
We understand that Greek life at Hamilton is a sensitive topic. Regardless of your thoughts on the issue, it should be apparent that social identity can be directly tied to with membership (or non-membership) in a Greek organization, and that such a status brings with it both positive and negative connotations on a diverse campus. If you are moved by this topic, we encourage you to use your voice to speak on it. As always, our opinion and editorial pages are open to your thoughts and ideas.
It is also possible that you fall into a third camp when it comes to Greeks: not caring whatsoever. After all, members of these organizations make up a relatively small percentage of the overall student body, and this is far from a typical “Greek life” school (although it sounds as if we drink like one). In any case, wherever you fall on the grand spectrum of opinions on fraternities and sororities at Hamilton, we can only say one thing: more power to you.
