Greek life at Duke is either benign skin cancer or an unpollinated pinecone. Skin cancer, a visible, although not necessarily fatal condition, exists in a tenuously stagnant state, while the organism around it evolves and feeds it. An unpollinated pine-cone has potential but needs external stimulus to germinate.
Greeks represent some of the most dynamic, intelligent and successful students at Duke, who also force Dean Bryan to work overtime. Like the pine-cone, the design of Greek organizations empowers its membership to excel. Like skin cancer, the Greek system could merely remain an eyesore or cause death.
Unfettered skin cancer generates mass-uniform replication with complete disregard for its host. Pine-cones, on the other hand, have the capacity to create sturdy, elegant individuals who over time subtly enhance their surrounding landscape.
Greeks exist with holistic disregard for their neighbors and fellow community members. They exclude. This action, like the DNA alteration of cancer, internally devastates Duke's sense of community. But Greeks, like pinecones, need their space. Under the meddling shadow of the administration, Greeks cannot grow. Apparently, Mother Nature, her goal being meaningful evolution and growth, consciously providing water, light and space for all her creatures, doesn't have a son at Duke. Skin cancer requires removal by a surgeon, while pine-cones need the nurturing of a botanist. So Dick, are you bringing your scalpel or your fertilizer? Do not leave Yale with your bags unpacked.
The surgical approach, invasive by nature, seeks to minimize the impact upon the surrounding tissue, leaving no remnant of the tumor. The drawbacks to surgery are three-fold. First, justification requires incontrovertible evidence that the Greek system is inherently unable to produce a positive net gain for the Duke community. Second, the edge of a scalpel is never so sharp as to avoid damaging surrounding tissue. Third, you cannot reverse surgery without the risk of scarring.
Were a grand vision to bring you sight of a beautiful, mature tree, you would pack your bags with fertilizer. But the problem with botany is similarly three-fold. First, the external promise of a pine cone often belies its inner failings. Second, even Frederick Olmstead can't make a tree take root if there is thoughtless tread upon the planting. Third, over fertilization can lead to harmful, disproportionate growth relative to its surroundings.
Immediately, you must decide whether you feel that this system is fundamentally flawed or something with potential for healthy growth. Like the botanist or the surgeon, you will be inundated with biased perspectives. Let us help you sort through all this.
Greeks perceive themselves as a Althoughfailings, they view themselves as a system primed for growth. Greeks foster the powerful ideas of sisterhood and brotherhood. They currently provide the most viable social outlets at the entire university. They have high GPAs and high alumni giving rates. And from their perspective, their stellar grades, exceptional extracurriculars, and unmistakable social presence make them the pinnacle of Duke's students.
The overwhelming majority of Duke students, being non-Greek, lack a coordinated, cohesive position on Greek life. There are independents, who depend on the Greek system for their social identity. Contrarily, an equal number of students exists who abhor the actions and stated goals of Greeks. Finally, the majority of this majority comprises itself of students who are utterly indifferent to the behaviors and perceptions of fraternities and sororities. Greeks do not impact their Duke experience in the slightest.
The final group you will hear from on this issue reports to you directly, the Division of Student Affairs. Discussion of the administrative perspective on Greek life doesn't have to dwell in ambiguity. One only has to go as far as the Bryan Center basement. Two year ago, Larry Moneta established the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, clearly suggesting that he perceived Greek life as a pinecone. Since that founding, two fraternities have dissolved and left Duke's campus for the glories only found in Partner's Place. However, two new fraternities have been recognized by IFC with more likely on the way.
At the same time, there has never been more discord within the administration regarding Greek life. A week has been chopped off of men's rush. Greeks were removed from Duke's central corridor and relegated to less visible quads. National Panhellenic Conference rules mandate that sorority "recruitment" now be facilitated by "recruitment counselors," so that "potential new members" may judiciously decide where they would like to undergo "new member education." This process has turned into a truly absurd spectacle. Although superficial examination of administrative policy appears to lead toward botany, the underlying motives appear surgical.
So Dick, we hope your trunk is full. Whether with scalpels or fertilizer, we leave it to you.
Anthony Vitarelli and Chase Johnson are Trinity juniors.
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