Clemson Greeks

Clemson Greek Life is being run to the ground. Collectively, we as greeks have done so much for Clemson and the community, made above average GPAs, and continue to have a good time. Unfortunately, we are constantly under a microscope. Between President Barker and the Board of Trustees breathing down our backs and DiSabatino of Student Affairs in our faces, we have become a force to be reckoned with and stopping all social activity is what they have concluded will solve the problems of student safety. Maybe the percentage of accidents are higher within the Greek Community, but have they thought about unreported incidents within the non-Greek Community? This has happened since the beginnings of Clemson's social atmosphere. People do not know their limits. Underage drinking starts in high-school, how do they honestly expect to stop it when students live in apartments by themselves. We all need to learn how to make better decisions. And most of what has happened at Clemson between the deaths, DUI's, and hospital visits were from individuals' poor decisions. It is unfortunate, as well, that with all of Clemson's administrative creativity that they decided to put all greek life on Social Probation. What is this, Animal House? I feel like I'm on Double Secret Probation here.

Animal house is a stereotypical vision of greek life. Greek Life here at Clemson is not like that at all. We are fairly well reserved, compared to most other campuses, and we contribute a lot of money and time to the community. Greek Life as a whole has a strong presence on campus, and I would hate to see it become a puppet show. The safety of Clemson students is a major priority, yes, but we are not idiots here. We work, we play. Some play harder then others, but where have you not seen that? We do not even make the cut for the top party school list anymore. We have settled down and worked hard, harder than most others on campus, and now we are rewarded by being put on "secret probation."

I am really surprised that the boys are still building their Homecoming floats on Bowman this week, now in the pouring rain, and that the girls remained in the Homecoming pageants, as well as providing skit entertainment for Tigerama. If they wanted to make a statement to Clemson and rally for more Alumni support, this would be the week to do it. We are learning about our probations on a week-by-week basis. Let's hope it does not get as bad as bad could be. I would really like to see my tuition and dues be used for my personal benefit. We're talking out-of-state tuition and hundreds of dollars for sorority dues. It is painful watching such wonderful people being treated and tried for such things as "fun." Fun doesn't always have to end so terribly. Maybe it's more education and risk management meetings that will help. Maybe it should be that you should BYOB to fraternity parties on the weekends. Maybe students shouldn't have to tell what Greek Organizations they are a part of to police or doctors at hospitals.

Greek life coming together needs to show our unity for our brothers and sisters: past, present, and future. We need to work together against what will run us to the ground, turn us to dust, then sweep us out the door.

I joined the sorority that my Aunt chartered on Clemson's campus, and I do not want to let her down. I do not want to let my founders down. I do not want to let myself down. I have respect for myself, my sisters, Greek Life, and Clemson. But the way Clemson keeps pushing us makes me quickly lose respect for the institution I thought I knew so well, and loved so much.