LETTERS: A positive view of Greek system

To the Editor: Giulian is not a Greek and has never pledged, claiming those who have look down upon her for her choice. However, it is she who makes "the harshest judgments" of the Greeks! The "pompous elites" in my house "endured" a terrible and degrading program filled with mandatory study hours, date rape and alcohol management workshops and weekly shifts at St. Mark's soup kitchen. I'm ashamed for willingly putting myself in such a powerless position. This is not Faber College; it's Penn -- a school whose comprehensive 21st Century Plan has actually been requested by national fraternities in an effort to reduce the negatives and increase the positives of Greek life. You claim we try to force everyone to be the same, while you, in turn, stereotype us. Who resents whom? Noah Bilenker College '99 UA Representative To the Editor: In response to Sarah Giulian's column on Tuesday, Jan. 21st: next time Giulian writes a column on any given topic, I suggest she actually have more of an idea of what she is talking about, because she certainly missed the mark in her ridiculously flawed column regarding Greek life at Penn. I am a member of the Greek community at Penn, and I have some news for her. I rushed, I was a new member, I am now a sister, and guess what? I have never been degraded. I have never been stripped? How dare she make inane sweeping generalizations about something you obviously know so little about. Of course, I cannot say what happens behind closed doors in every house on campus, but I can certainly vouch for my own sorority and for Giulian to smack her stereotypes on the entire Greek system is irresponsible and uncalled for. My experience with rush and membership has been nothing but positive and the same holds true for many of my Greek friends, both male and female. Being Greek has not defined my life at Penn, but it certainly has enhanced it, and trust me, degradation and torture never played roles in my experience. I find it sort of amusing Giulian's column is called "From Under My Rock." That is so appropriate. If this is the perception she has of rush and Greek life at Penn, she most definitely does dwell under a rock. In fact, she seems to be trapped under a boulder. Giulian's ignorance astounds me. Maureen Wentworth College '98 To the Editor: I was genuinely surprised to read Sarah Giulian's critique of the Greek rush process at Penn (DP, 1/21/97.) I know that she has a history of stereotyping the Greek community (i.e.- her notorious song, "Frat Boy") but I was truly shocked by her McCarthyist attack? If Giulian had any factual, specific basis for the kind of accusations she throws out occurring on this campus then one would hope she would have the courage to describe the incident and name the house involved rather than make broad generalizations about "hazing activities that make their way through the grapevine to my ears." I find it fascinating whenever people claim to be experts on subjects they have no direct knowledge of. I am confident Giulian has no direct knowledge of the IFC rush and pledge processes she so vociferously denounces. I also find it amazing it has become acceptable and fashionable in certain circles to stereotype some groups unmercifully. This is a truly disturbing development. Fortunately, Giulian is not troubled by unfair indictments of a group that contributes more community service hours to this campus than any other. She conveniently instructs her readers to forget their consciences in condemning the Greek community, "Forget about their parties. Forget about their community activities." Her message is essentially: Ignore facts, print rumors. Caith Kushner President, Phi Kappa Psi College/Wharton '99