Unity, not division for greeks and non-greeks
Craig Kreinbihl
Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: Opinion
I'm a natural skeptic and a born independent. That is why, upon first attending Hillsdale College, I desired to stay as far away from the Greek system as possible. Now, an avid supporter of the Greek system, I struggle to grasp what the collegiate experience would be like had I chosen to follow in the footsteps of so many others who judged an age-old system without giving it, and the people within it, a fair shake.
Greeks receive the reputation - maybe at times deserving, though not the standard - of following the crowd, yet Greeks and independents alike struggle with making broad assumptions rather than investing a small amount of time to discover the truth. Speaking from experience, I can attest that becoming Greek has introduced me to a broad spectrum of people within my house and beyond - individuals who think independently first but who also recognize the lifelong value of friendship and of sharing ideals. Hillsdale College needs more of this, not less.
Last week's Collegian article, highlighting many of the criticisms that the Greek system on campus faces, provides an opportunity to do something that is long overdue - to encourage unity, not division among Greeks and independents alike, and to defend a worthy and honorable social community - a community rooted in the Western tradition and aligned with the mission of the college.
I'm not blindly defending the Greek system. Just like every organization involving people, there are obstacles to be faced. The real beauty about being Greek, however, as in any established and fairly self-contained organization, is not that one must constantly defend his values and reputation, but that one grows in character by how he responds to these challenges and uses them to develop himself and others.
I've witnessed firsthand the positive effects of Greek life within my house and throughout the other five Greek houses on campus. So, you could say, I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something larger than myself. And, at the same time, I appreciate the criticism, knowing that those within the Greek system are held to a higher standard.
For being Greek isn't about sheltering oneself from the world; rather, it's one of the best preparations for life after college. It's in times like these that I'm reminded of why I love my Greek affiliation as much as I do. Hillsdale College deserves the sincere thanks from Greeks and independents alike for offering this opportunity as an amazing learning tool to promote personal development. As students, I hope that we will work to focus on our commonalities, not what sets us apart.
The writer is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
Greeks receive the reputation - maybe at times deserving, though not the standard - of following the crowd, yet Greeks and independents alike struggle with making broad assumptions rather than investing a small amount of time to discover the truth. Speaking from experience, I can attest that becoming Greek has introduced me to a broad spectrum of people within my house and beyond - individuals who think independently first but who also recognize the lifelong value of friendship and of sharing ideals. Hillsdale College needs more of this, not less.
Last week's Collegian article, highlighting many of the criticisms that the Greek system on campus faces, provides an opportunity to do something that is long overdue - to encourage unity, not division among Greeks and independents alike, and to defend a worthy and honorable social community - a community rooted in the Western tradition and aligned with the mission of the college.
I'm not blindly defending the Greek system. Just like every organization involving people, there are obstacles to be faced. The real beauty about being Greek, however, as in any established and fairly self-contained organization, is not that one must constantly defend his values and reputation, but that one grows in character by how he responds to these challenges and uses them to develop himself and others.
I've witnessed firsthand the positive effects of Greek life within my house and throughout the other five Greek houses on campus. So, you could say, I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something larger than myself. And, at the same time, I appreciate the criticism, knowing that those within the Greek system are held to a higher standard.
For being Greek isn't about sheltering oneself from the world; rather, it's one of the best preparations for life after college. It's in times like these that I'm reminded of why I love my Greek affiliation as much as I do. Hillsdale College deserves the sincere thanks from Greeks and independents alike for offering this opportunity as an amazing learning tool to promote personal development. As students, I hope that we will work to focus on our commonalities, not what sets us apart.
The writer is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
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