The Collegian

Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Focus

Even without a flag, independents are just as proud to display their "letters" as Greeks {Liz Essley/Collegian}.

The letters "GDI" poke out of Dow House windows, declaring pride in g- d- independence, defying the call to "go Greek."

The letters highlight one of the largest demographic divides on Hillsdale's campus: Greek and non-Greek. According to the school's Web site, nearly 40 percent of Hillsdale students participate in fraternity or sorority life, leaving 60 percent out of the loop when it comes to Greek rituals, activities and residences.

But even the letters reveal friendly relationships between Greek and non-Greeks.

Junior Lauren Heilborn and her two roommates, all of them independent, own the Dow House's G, D and I. Two of her friends, both Greek, made the letters for the girls last year after making letters to represent their own Greek houses. "We wanted to represent the GDIs too," Heilborn said. "It's just kind of fun to have letters."

Senior Katie Mustazza, a member of Chi Omega sorority, says she thinks most people don't think about the relationship between Greeks and independents.

"We're doing our thing, and the independents are doing their thing," she said.

But Mustazza says she could see where problems could arise.

"We want others to go Greek, and that's probably what most things stem from. The independents probably think we're being too pushy... Me personally, I'm just so excited about it, because I love being Greek, so if someone is even interested, I'll just try to sell it," Mustazza said.

Indeed, some strong opinions about the Greek system circulate around campus.

"With a few exceptions, the Greek system fosters sheep-minded mentality that goes against Hillsdale's mission of higher learning," said Chase Cunitz '08, who remained independent during his time in college. "The more I got to know [Greeks], the more I realized they are all freaking identical. Even before you know [a Greek], you can tell what house they're from," he said.

After transferring to Hillsdale as a sophomore, Cunitz was recruited by members of the fraternities on campus, but passed over the initial opportunity to join, wanting to "explore campus on [his] own." He said that recruiters gradually became cold, and after he turned down the Greek system a second time, he said he sensed "animosity, even outright cold shoulders, even from women, because I had turned down their way of life."

Continued...

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