To the Editor:
I can usually shrug off the stabs at the greek community by The Polytechnic, but last week’s article, “Alcohol with rush causes problems for everyone,” was completely out of line.
The article was filled with poorly-researched corollaries and is a clear example of the stereotyping that fraternities on this campus and throughout the country have to endure.
The start of this semester saw 33 fraternities on campus. Due to the infringements of a couple of those chapters (which are being issued sanctions accordingly), The Poly has stated that all Greeks are irresponsible and that we blatantly disregard the rules set forth by the Interfraternity Council, the Dean of Students Office, and by our own chapters.
Not once did The Poly place any blame on the rushees themselves, who know the rules of dry rush and still try to sneak into closed parties through our back doors and windows. Nor did they mention the extent to which we go to in order to enforce dry rush, such as our rush monitors, who check in at our houses to make sure we’re behaving accordingly. Instead of mentioning just one commendable aspect of greek life (besides contributing to their social life), they presented the false image to the entire campus that all greeks openly drink with rushees and are fine with that.
“The IFC should, however, either follow the rules that it set down for itself, or work to change them.” I cannot disagree with this statement; in fact, you’re absolutely correct.
We should abide by our rules to keep rushees from drinking in our houses.
We should work to prevent infractions, but take swift action to punish a chapter that disregards our policies.
We should spend countless hours in meetings to revamp the party policy to something that everyone agrees on and can live by.
Oh, wait … we already do all those things.
I ask that the writers of The Poly who are responsible for such misconceptions do some more research before they prematurely stereotype one-third of the students on this campus.
Michael Senchyshyn
CSYS ’06
