The Collegian Weekly: The opinion of The Collegian editorial staff
Independents, Greeks: Time to chill out
Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: Opinion
What's the deal with Greeks and independents? No one envisions coexistence in total harmony, but stereotypes aside, this rivalry doesn't merit the cloud of drama it attracts.
Independents say Greeks are exclusive and reprehensible. The Greeks say independents are irascible and bitter. Yadda yadda yadda. The scruples over affiliation often get blown out of proportion. Period.
The Greek presence on campus is undeniable, and of course, there are a few ways to go Greek: some choose to be Greek via sororities and fraternities while some are Greek by way of honoraries. Many are Greek, yes, and many remain independent.
Students often have deep-seated reasons for pledging or refusing to pledge a sorority or fraternity. But philosophic differences are no excuse for poor behavior and petty grudges. Everyone deserves kindness and respect, no matter which letters they choose or choose not to wear.
And none of this is new.
Recently, The Collegian has heard of talk among independents about doling out G-- D--- Independent "bids." Imitating Greek practices hardly strikes us as the best way to exhibit disdain for them.
We recognize that Greek-independent relations aren't always in poor shape, and we applaud that. There are plenty of instances where Greeks and non-Greeks coexist peacefully, dare we say quite happily, with each other. They cohabitate off-campus houses or share dorm rooms or dine together. And there are plenty of close friendships across Greek partisan lines.
So, here we all are, gathered at this institution of higher education, with at least the goal of earning a degree from Hillsdale College in common. And here we all are, at times, proverbial third-graders on the playground when it comes to activities and affiliations and who's friends with who and who eats lunch with who. But we're in college, folks.
So, Greeks: you're Greek, and independents: you're independent.
We're glad that's settled.
Can we all move on now?
Independents say Greeks are exclusive and reprehensible. The Greeks say independents are irascible and bitter. Yadda yadda yadda. The scruples over affiliation often get blown out of proportion. Period.
The Greek presence on campus is undeniable, and of course, there are a few ways to go Greek: some choose to be Greek via sororities and fraternities while some are Greek by way of honoraries. Many are Greek, yes, and many remain independent.
Students often have deep-seated reasons for pledging or refusing to pledge a sorority or fraternity. But philosophic differences are no excuse for poor behavior and petty grudges. Everyone deserves kindness and respect, no matter which letters they choose or choose not to wear.
And none of this is new.
Recently, The Collegian has heard of talk among independents about doling out G-- D--- Independent "bids." Imitating Greek practices hardly strikes us as the best way to exhibit disdain for them.
We recognize that Greek-independent relations aren't always in poor shape, and we applaud that. There are plenty of instances where Greeks and non-Greeks coexist peacefully, dare we say quite happily, with each other. They cohabitate off-campus houses or share dorm rooms or dine together. And there are plenty of close friendships across Greek partisan lines.
So, here we all are, gathered at this institution of higher education, with at least the goal of earning a degree from Hillsdale College in common. And here we all are, at times, proverbial third-graders on the playground when it comes to activities and affiliations and who's friends with who and who eats lunch with who. But we're in college, folks.
So, Greeks: you're Greek, and independents: you're independent.
We're glad that's settled.
Can we all move on now?
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