EDITORIAL: "David Doft's Sour Grapes"

Before the fraternityBefore the fraternitysystem can governBefore the fraternitysystem can governitself, it must find itsBefore the fraternitysystem can governitself, it must find itsown faults andBefore the fraternitysystem can governitself, it must find itsown faults andcorrect them.Before the fraternitysystem can governitself, it must find itsown faults andcorrect them.__________________________ Rather than go quietly, though, he decided to resign in noisy protest, hoping to make a point about the treatment of fraternities at the University. Unfortunately, it wasn't a good point. "At other schools, the IFC runs the system," he said in a statement. "The students here are supposed to be smarter and more responsible than students at other schools. Yet, we are not allowed to govern our own fraternity system." But contrary to Doft's logic, students in fraternities here haven't proven that they are more responsible than students at other schools. Fraternities continue to be suspended, disciplined or put on probation far too often. Acacia, Psi Upsilon, Tau Epsilon Phi and Zeta Beta Tau, to name a few. The behavior of Doft's house, Pi Kappa Alpha, has been particularly distressing. PiKA originally ran afoul of the University two years ago after they allegedly brought a sick horse to their house as a prank, and staged a mock hold-up in a subway stop that brought police to the scene. In Doft's words, brothers were then "forced" to sign an agreement that said they would be suspended for any further violations. We strongly suspect that the brothers were "forced" to make a decision between being suspended immediately, or getting a second chance -- a fairly merciful choice, under the circumstances. Doft shows little gratitude. But according to the findings of fact used to justify PiKA's suspension this summer, the house's recent behavior has been far from innocent. In mid-January, chapter leaders discovered several pledges were frequently using marijuana, the findings said. Soon after, brothers sent pledges on a poorly organized trip to Massachusettes without notifying the University. During the trip, Massachusettes police allegedly caught the pledges, all under 21, with stolen road signs, a bottle of vodka, a fake ID and drug paraphernalia. Later in the spring, after pledges were initiated, old members and new members reportedly covered each other with paint. All of which leads us to one important question: If some Greek leaders can't seem to govern their own houses, how do they expect to be given the authority over the whole system of 32 IFC fraternities? Despite its transgressions, PiKA has also done many positive things for the community in the last year. But even if Mother Theresa were caught stealing road signs and using illicit drugs, chances are she would be disciplined. When you do the crime, don't expect sympathy if you're "forced" to do the time. This is what makes Doft's comments disturbing, and we sincerely hope they do not represent the opinion of the entire IFC. But whether they do or not, many on campus will take them that way. The IFC as a whole should distance itself from fraternities that cause trouble, and should not be satisfied to let the University alone sanction fraternities for poor behavior. While the IFC should support its members, it must also be willing to criticize troublemakers if it ever hopes to win the administration's respect. When the IFC remains silent, it not only appears to support the wayward house, but the house's behavior as well. Furthermore, it's simply not enough that a house does good deeds -- it must also take responsibility and make sure its members uphold community standards. The same goes for the IFC. In short, if you want to be treated like an adult, start acting like one.

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