2008 Woodie Awards
Gorloks go Greek
Issue date: 1/24/08 Section: Opinion/Editorial
For more than 90 years, Webster University has grown from a tiny Catholic women's college to an ever-expanding international institution with campuses on three continents and students from across the globe.
And it has done it without Greek life - so why should we start now?
At the first regular Student Government Association meeting of the semester, a 16-5 vote approved a WU chapter of Delta Upsilon, an international fraternity that purports to build "better men through … friendship, character, culture and justice."
The new WU chapter must still be approved by Delta Upsilon's international governing body.
Since its proposal by freshmen Evan Murray and Kevin McWilliams, the idea of Greek life spurred campus-wide debate, garnering more than 150 posts at Frat Talk, a Facebook group discussing the issue, and more than 250 votes on an online Journal poll. The interest was not unexpected as students attempted to answer whether WU should go Greek.
Though the SGA vote and our poll, the results of which are on the opposite page, overwhelmingly decided in favor of Delta Upsilon, the purpose of the new frat on campus remains to be seen.
To their credit, Murray and McWilliams defended the idea of Greek life - specifically Delta Upsilon - on campus,
believing its presence would foster leadership skills in our fine young Gorloks and help bring the campus together.
Yet, as members of SGA have repeatedly pointed out in the organization's last two meetings, a fraternity is inherently exclusive, strictly dividing the population between the sexes. Additionally, several fraternities require stringent and sometimes bizarre processes to join, which on many campuses have led to incidences of hazing and other unpleasantries.
Of course, Delta Upsilon does seem a fairly benign entity, and we are in no way accusing Murray, McWilliams or the Delta Upsilon brothers of any ill behavior. However, as the membership criteria at Delta Upsilon's Web site outlines, new frat members must be invited by existing members - again, highlighting the general exclusivity of Greek life.
And it has done it without Greek life - so why should we start now?
At the first regular Student Government Association meeting of the semester, a 16-5 vote approved a WU chapter of Delta Upsilon, an international fraternity that purports to build "better men through … friendship, character, culture and justice."
The new WU chapter must still be approved by Delta Upsilon's international governing body.
Since its proposal by freshmen Evan Murray and Kevin McWilliams, the idea of Greek life spurred campus-wide debate, garnering more than 150 posts at Frat Talk, a Facebook group discussing the issue, and more than 250 votes on an online Journal poll. The interest was not unexpected as students attempted to answer whether WU should go Greek.
Though the SGA vote and our poll, the results of which are on the opposite page, overwhelmingly decided in favor of Delta Upsilon, the purpose of the new frat on campus remains to be seen.
To their credit, Murray and McWilliams defended the idea of Greek life - specifically Delta Upsilon - on campus,
believing its presence would foster leadership skills in our fine young Gorloks and help bring the campus together.
Yet, as members of SGA have repeatedly pointed out in the organization's last two meetings, a fraternity is inherently exclusive, strictly dividing the population between the sexes. Additionally, several fraternities require stringent and sometimes bizarre processes to join, which on many campuses have led to incidences of hazing and other unpleasantries.
Of course, Delta Upsilon does seem a fairly benign entity, and we are in no way accusing Murray, McWilliams or the Delta Upsilon brothers of any ill behavior. However, as the membership criteria at Delta Upsilon's Web site outlines, new frat members must be invited by existing members - again, highlighting the general exclusivity of Greek life.
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