Recently, events surrounding Greek Life as a national organization have called into question the place of chapters on college campuses. Hazing has been one of the central topics in the debate against Greek life. It is a real problem within fraternities and has resulted in many tragic and unnecessary deaths for decades. Additionally, the overall drinking culture that is associated with the social aspects of Greek life has proved in the past to be a danger to many college students. Because of these reasons and several more that plague Greek houses and college campuses in general, Greek life has been pulled into a negative media spotlight; which is increasing support on many campuses for a complete ban of all Greek organizations. Hazing and alcohol related incidents have resulted in the suspension and removal of many chapters from campuses nationwide. The deaths of these young men due to these incidents should not be taken lightly. More needs to be done to ensure the safety of members, this will require work and a solution to the problems, not just pushing them under the rug by banning individual chapters after the fact. These deaths are preventable, but it will take a shift in Greek culture, not just the demonization of the system.
Here on campus there is a very clear split in opinions about Greek life. Generally, those involved hold positive opinions, and those who are not members of chapters hold negative opinions. This shows the divide of the outside-looking-in perspective, and the inside-looking-out perspecrtive.
As far as enforcment of the values of the University of Illinois, in the past the University has exercised its authority to revoke the charters of problem chapters. Over time it is hard to say how often these measures have been required, but it does occur as a way for the University of Illinois to ensure all chapters are upholding the standards set by the University's department of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. The established values include Friendship, Leadership, Scholarship, Service, Social Advancement, and Diversity.
The negative issues that circulate through Greek organizations are problems that face society as a whole. I feel it is unfair to point fingers at only the Greek system when the issue is really how society operates. Rape exists outside of Greek life. Alcohol related violence and death exists outside of Greek life. Hazing is not an issue unique to Fraternities. It is true that these things appear to be amplified when you put together millions of 18 to 23-year-olds. However, I believe the solution should not be to disband the entire Greek system but address these issues as societal shortcomings that the young members of Greek chapters need to learn to combat.
In an organization as large as Greek Life, with 7,624 Undergraduate members at the University of Illinois and millions of members nationwide, it is hard to hold accountable the system as for the shortcomings of individual chapters and members. Additionally, these young adults must learn to combat the problems that face society as a whole. I feel Greek life members cannot be blamed for being products of the world that we live in, but we must work to be better than the rest of the world. By overcoming these issues we can prove to be an example that society can move past these horrendous atrocities that plague Greek culture, and Human society.
Many of the Chapters on campus are associated with the Panhellenic Council and the Interfraternity Council. These are governing councils that houses are collective involved in, and that determine uniform rules, regulations and standards that are to be followed by Chapters across the nation.