The College of Wooster is no stranger to Greek Life; we have a total of 13 Greek groups on campus, and each one offers a unique experience and contributes in some way to campus culture. No matter what social circles you run in or classes you attend, chances are high for the likelihood of Greek representation. This means that members of Greek groups possess the unique capacity to influence campus climate. Specifically, they have the ability to promote a safer, more respectful academic and social environment.
In some ways, Greek groups are already doing a great job. Having 10 to 20 people all concerned about your wellbeing just a text away is a safety net that puts the blue light system to shame. At parties, some organizations designate members to watch out for unfamiliar partygoers as well as their own. They also provide a community in which people are welcome to share their experiences and get advice confidentially without fear of judgement. That type of communal support is what makes Greek Life such an asset to the College.
The power of a Greek group lies in the especially tight bonds formed between members. Clearly defined roles enable people to have difficult conversations with each other while still maintaining a foundation of mutual respect. Together, they can present a unified front as to what is and isn’t acceptable on campus.
Unfortunately, these conversations don’t always happen. For me, Greek Life exemplifies a collection of diverse individuals brought together by a strong sense of community — the operative term here being “diverse.” I regret not speaking out more when I was in a fraternity. I have no doubt that everyone in the room would’ve taken what I said very seriously, but I was still too scared to rock the boat. What I wasn’t aware of was that I was just as much a member of the fraternity as everyone else. If they offered me membership, it also means that they value my opinions. Greek groups can promote a safer campus by engaging their members in conversations about toxic behaviors such as gas lighting, physical/emotional abuse and stalking. The onus is on members of Greek groups to speak up when they see these behaviors. Of course, every member of a Greek group is unique; however, the reality is that actions of an individual will reflect on the group as a whole. The underlying assumption is that in choosing to be a part of the group an individual on some level accepts any and all behaviors of that group.
If a Greek group is aware that there is information they are lacking, they should encourage members to seek out that knowledge. The fraternal organization Men of Harambee has a partnership with local organization OneEighty in an effort to educate new members about sexual respect. They also encourage members to attend club meetings that provide insight into perspectives they might not be completely familiar with. Multiple sororities on campus have instituted diversity chairs, who educate members about viewpoints that may otherwise be overlooked.
Overall, Greek groups can make campus a safer place by engaging in difficult but necessary dialogue within their group, looking out for the people that attend their events, encouraging their members to explore new perspectives and getting involved in the larger campus community.
Henry Mai, a Contributing Writer for the Voice, can be reached for comment HMai20@wooster.edu.