EDITORIAL: Meeting Halfway

A compromise solution regardingA compromise solution regardingthe Commission's recommendationA compromise solution regardingthe Commission's recommendationto postpone rush until sophomoreA compromise solution regardingthe Commission's recommendationto postpone rush until sophomoreyear is the best way to goA compromise solution regardingthe Commission's recommendationto postpone rush until sophomoreyear is the best way to go___________________________________ While we applaud the noble intentions of the Commission, the effects of such a decision on the Greek system would be very serious. Not allowing freshmen to rush (and consequently pledge), means that the soonest students will be able to live in Greek houses is junior year. Fraternities would be hardest hit by this policy because, in most houses, a majority of residents are sophomores. Implementing the Commission's directive would result in many chapters finding themselves unable to fill their houses. In turn, they would then be forced to either raise rents significantly or lose the chapter house. Several Greek leaders have alleged that this is a calculated move to eliminate fraternities and sororities because they stand in the way of the Commission's long-term plan to introduce a college house system, such as the one at Harvard. We do not wish to speculate on whether the Commission had ulterior motives when it issued its directive. We are concerned, however, that this decision was made without significant Greek student input. The possibility of a sophomore rush was never raised in meetings with Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, Greek leaders and other students. We would hope that the University learned something from its previous mistakes (such as the ill-advised 1988 keg ban) and realize that it can not bulldoze student opinion and force this policy through. Back then, 500 fraternity brothers barricaded Locust Walk with kegs, stirred up public sympathy (they even got then-President Sheldon Hackney to buy a T-shirt supporting the protest) and promptly got the keg ban policy changed. It is not unreasonable to suppose that Greek reaction would be similar this time around. We therefore urge the University to listen to students' concerns and offer an alternative solution. Why not delay rush until January and allow freshmen to participate? This would still offer first-year students a semester to look around and explore the many options the University offers. At the same time, it would allow fraternities to initiate pledges by the end of freshman year, thereby ensuring a steady supply of sophomores to fill the house. Granted, rush and pledging would have to be cut substantially, and steps would have to be taken to prevent "dirty-rush" (houses having their own illegal pre-rush) but ultimately it is the fairest solution. Our proposal would meet the Commission's goal of providing a "rich variety" of experiences to freshmen, while allowing the Greek system to survive. If the true goal of the Commission is to strengthen the community, it cannot dismiss the views of nearly 20% of the student body in its decision making. We urge them to reconsider their directive.