LETTERS: BEing part of the Greek system

To the Editor However, I believe Giulian's column warrants a response from someone who has not only been a member, but has enjoyed her part in a sorority. Without going through the process of rush or actively participating in the system, one cannot truly appreciate how the Greek system works or what it has to offer. It is easy to sit back and criticize if one believes the "torture" stories of hazing, such as the one Guilian depicted. While the rush system is not perfect, it is not a process of "harsh judgments and degradation." It is the best possible way to meet the largest number of women in the most reasonable amount of time. The goal of the rush events and parties is not to "prove" yourself, but to be yourself. It is unfortunate that Giulian believes one-third of the student population -- members of the Greek system -- is so superficial and concerned only with being "accepted." If the process is so degrading, why do 600 intelligent women partake in it every year? Is it for mere "acceptance," or is it for the desire to associate with other interesting and intelligent women? How can Giulian pass judgment on organizations behind whose "closed doors" she has never ventured? Giulian's sanctimonious condemnation of one-third of the Penn population makes her appear to be as "elitist" and "pompous" as she perceives the members of Greek organizations to be. Obviously no type of organization is without flaws. But I believe Giulian, an individual who is unqualified to make such accusations, has blown grossly out of proportion the flaws of the Greek system. As for the freshmen, let them make their own judgments. If they wish to participate in rush or even decide to join, that is their choice. Some may decide the Greek system is not for them, and that is their choice also. The men and women of this campus are intelligent enough to make their own decisions; Giulian should let them do so without clouding their vision with her ignorant perceptions. Kristen Lohr College '95 Veterinary Medicine '99 u To the Editor: As a member of a sorority at the University, I was surprised and furious at the January 21 column ("No way to treat a sister, DP 1/21/97) which accuses University sororities of hazing and attempts to convince the reader that it is degrading and a measure of disrespect to belong to a sorority. My pledging experience was not a painful series of severe tests, but a memorable and fun experience which gave me the opportunity to meet more girls. Contrary to the column, not once was I forced to drink alcohol or unwillingly partake in any activites. The disapproving outlook on sororities taken in the column incorrectly bases its information on Greek experiences at other colleges that do not apply to sororites at the University. Greek life is a lot more laid back at Penn than it is at other colleges. It is neither a huge time commitment nor a command to conform to an exclusive group of girls. It has not become my life, but an enjoyable part of my college experience. Maybe Greek life is not for everyone, but there is no need to drag the whole system down. I have not lost my individuality or previous close friends; nor do I hold my nose up in the air because I belong to a sorority. Futhermore, I continue to meet new and interesting people both on my own and through my sisters. The rush process is not perfect, but hey, you only experience college once, and you must take Greek life for women for what it is. Through my sorority, I have met wonderful women, made terrific friends, enjoyed date parties, mixers and have participated in philanthropies. And what is wrong with that? Danielle Silverman College '98 Delta Delta Delta Jewish holiday fasting To the Editor: Kamal Solaiman's guest column, "A holy month of fasting and faith," (DP, 1/23/97), while interesting, contains several factual errors that should be corrected. First, Jews do not fast on Passover, and thus Islamic fasting cannot be considered similar to the fasting of Jews on Passover. Second, the time span for fasting on Yom Kippur is from sunset the night before to nightfall on the actual day of Yom Kippur, a period close to 25 hours. Jews do not fast from sunrise to sunset as Solaiman states. Finally, Solaiman implies that Jews take off from school or work due to the fast of Yom Kippur. This is in fact misleading. Many Jews do in fact take off from work because there is a prohibition against certain types of work on Yom Kippur. On other fast days (there are five others in the Jewish calendar), Jews continue to go to work and attend classes despite the absence of food or drink. Jason Herman College and Wharton '99