H
h20mobius
Guest
The Situation:
I am currently entering my third year as an undergrad student at the University of Oregon. I am a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a Greek fraternity on campus. In 1999, our chapter returned to campus after our alumni revoked our charter in 1997 for debt, among other reasons. The University DID NOT kick us off. Upon returning to campus, we agreed (per written document) to be a dry house, meaning there would be no alcoholic substances in our house. We agreed to this stipulation, because the University INSISTED the entire Greek community would be dry in less than 8 months, as a part of the “Select 2000” program. The program, however, failed miserably, and in the ruins of a seemingly decent proposition, the campus was left with 4 dry houses and 8 wet ones. They did not uphold their end of the agreement and they have no statement of resolution so far. Here’s where the problem lies. The University President, Dave Frohnmayer, would like to see the entire Greek system go dry relatively soon, but until then, we’re forced to be the victim of their inability to uphold their “Select 2000” program.
Comparing Traits:
Consequently, as a dry house, if we are found in violation of the “dry house policy” they insist our chapter will be kicked off campus immediately. On the same token, however, the other wet houses are permitted to send numerous students each term, to the hospital, with alcohol poisoning. There are girls and guys sick from such poisoning, puking on their lawns on a nightly basis. Furthermore, some of the wet houses are avid cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy users. I’m proud to say that we do not allow, support, or permit the use of any of the aforementioned narcotics in house. The wet houses are grounds for sometimes over 100 MIP’s (Minor In Possession of Alcohol) to be handed out each term. Inarguably, there is no way to justify certain aspects of being a wet house. The fact that we lack the negative stereotypes associated with most fraternities, is an incredibly marketable aspect to potential members, however, it is KILLING our recruitment. The university cannot say that we have to be dry, and others can be wet. Being a dry house also promotes drunk driving. If students cannot drink in a “managed environment”, they are forced to drink off property, often encouraging them to drive after they have been drinking. We need resolution and we need a remedy immediately.
Our Demand:
Hold us to the same playing field as you hold other houses. Set a standard and apply equal consequences across the board. Take immediate action and determine when such standards will take place. Enforce the new standards in full, within 1 year. We are being discriminated against.
Fraternity Website:
http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~sae
I am currently entering my third year as an undergrad student at the University of Oregon. I am a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, a Greek fraternity on campus. In 1999, our chapter returned to campus after our alumni revoked our charter in 1997 for debt, among other reasons. The University DID NOT kick us off. Upon returning to campus, we agreed (per written document) to be a dry house, meaning there would be no alcoholic substances in our house. We agreed to this stipulation, because the University INSISTED the entire Greek community would be dry in less than 8 months, as a part of the “Select 2000” program. The program, however, failed miserably, and in the ruins of a seemingly decent proposition, the campus was left with 4 dry houses and 8 wet ones. They did not uphold their end of the agreement and they have no statement of resolution so far. Here’s where the problem lies. The University President, Dave Frohnmayer, would like to see the entire Greek system go dry relatively soon, but until then, we’re forced to be the victim of their inability to uphold their “Select 2000” program.
Comparing Traits:
Consequently, as a dry house, if we are found in violation of the “dry house policy” they insist our chapter will be kicked off campus immediately. On the same token, however, the other wet houses are permitted to send numerous students each term, to the hospital, with alcohol poisoning. There are girls and guys sick from such poisoning, puking on their lawns on a nightly basis. Furthermore, some of the wet houses are avid cocaine, marijuana, and ecstasy users. I’m proud to say that we do not allow, support, or permit the use of any of the aforementioned narcotics in house. The wet houses are grounds for sometimes over 100 MIP’s (Minor In Possession of Alcohol) to be handed out each term. Inarguably, there is no way to justify certain aspects of being a wet house. The fact that we lack the negative stereotypes associated with most fraternities, is an incredibly marketable aspect to potential members, however, it is KILLING our recruitment. The university cannot say that we have to be dry, and others can be wet. Being a dry house also promotes drunk driving. If students cannot drink in a “managed environment”, they are forced to drink off property, often encouraging them to drive after they have been drinking. We need resolution and we need a remedy immediately.
Our Demand:
Hold us to the same playing field as you hold other houses. Set a standard and apply equal consequences across the board. Take immediate action and determine when such standards will take place. Enforce the new standards in full, within 1 year. We are being discriminated against.
Fraternity Website:
http://gladstone.uoregon.edu/~sae