We want Row Week — and responsibility
Over the past six months, we’ve seen some UA fraternity partygoers behave less than decently.
Photo Illustration by Jaclyn Johnson
First, alleged rapes were reported at the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house and the Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) house.
Not too long after, a potential new member of Phi Delta Theta drank so much at a closed house party that he was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning. The circumstances surrounding the drinking aren’t known – but the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity suspended the UA chapter’s charter because of it.
Parice Bowser, director of Greek Life, has said that the Fiji and Phi Delta incidents prompted Greek Life to restrict the kinds of parties allowed for the remainder of the fall semester. An appropriate punishment – that is, if it had worked.
Most recently, another alleged rape at the SAE house was reported before winter break. The UA Police Department is investigating the incident.
The sometimes senseless, dangerous and downright offensive actions of some have caused plight for all of Greek Life: Now, some say the future of Row Week, the annual spring semester celebration at campus fraternities, is in jeopardy, although Greek Life Director Parice Bowser said, as of right now, it’s still on.
It’s a tough call for administrators. Do they trust that fraternity members and their guests will straighten up? Or do they prevent another situation that could breed more crime on campus?
Greeks are not solely to blame for what has happened in their homes. And, as a whole, Greek Life is a positive, productive establishment. Fraternities and sororities give back to this campus and community in many ways, and that should not be forgotten.
But, just as the students make a university, so do the students make a fraternity. One person’s actions can damage an entire fraternity’s reputation, even if that person’s not Greek. It might not be fair, but it’s reality.
We want Row Week back. And if everyone else does, too, they have to prove themselves. Students have the duty to behave responsibly – and legally – at Greek Life events. Or there’s no other choice for the administration.
