Editor’s note: Jeffrey Adam Hotchkiss originally sent this commentary as a letter to University President Dave Frohnmayer.
Over the past few weeks, a lot has transpired within the realms of the University’s greek community. There have been mandates handed down (including efforts designed to prevent those mandates from going through), as well as numerous letters, editorials and articles having been written, all regarding the issue of “dry housing.” I thought it seemed about time you heard from someone very knowledgeable on the subject, a respected member of the greek community here at the University.
I have been a fraternity member here for several years, and in that time I have seen, heard and learned many things. Along the way, I have developed a good understanding of how our greek community works and what is necessary in order to run an efficient and productive greek community. Turning to dry housing is not one of those necessities.
Moving past the reasons for not forcing greeks to go dry (i.e. increases in off-campus parties and drinking and driving), I would like to present another resolution for you to consider. I do agree on the matter that overconsumption of alcohol and underage drinking is a problem not only within the greek community but also throughout the University. I have seen and dealt with far worse problems from drunken individuals who are not affiliated with Greek Life than from those who are — such as those involved in the Halloween riots — but that is another topic. By forcing fraternities to have dry housing, a “problem” is not being solved, but merely swept under the rug.
In my opinion and experience, education is the surest way to go. In educating greeks, specifically new members and freshmen, about the dangers of alcohol and how to handle themselves if they do choose to drink, we would solve a great deal of the problems we’re facing. I have taken several of the classes and weekend seminars where alcohol was the topic of discussion, and I learned more on the subject than I ever had ever imagined possible. This school already has an excellent resource in Miki Mace, the Substance Abuse Prevention Program director. Perhaps these classes ought to be mandatory for those entering the greek community, and potentially for all students entering the University.
On a separate point, throughout all the words that have been exchanged on this subject, those involved in Greek Life have come out looking flawed. I would like to point out the most recent University awards ceremony and bring attention to, as well as congratulate, the numerous fraternity and sorority members who were recognized. A number of students won various awards and were inducted into several academic honor societies, including the Friars, Koyle Cup, Bess Templeton Cristman and Dean’s Service awards. Whether these individuals included alcohol in their greek and college careers has certainly and obviously not hindered their accomplishments.