fraternities are for never
Apr. 27th, 2007 02:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
intertribalI discovered this via Facebook. Isn't it funny how Facebook provides a public opinion gauge.
Phi Kappa Tau, a national fraternity, has a chapter called Upsilon, at Nebraska Wesleyan (the second biggest university after the state schools). This chapter has a Facebook group called "Phi Tau Upsilon Forever" (link only available if you're on Facebook), which says:
Curious as to what exactly happened at Phi Tau Upsilon, I of course turned to my good friend Google. It turns out that there was a fire at the Phi Tau Upsilon house in November 2006, which killed one 19-year-old and injured several others. Three (presumably fraternity brothers) have been arrested with charges of arson, hazing, illegal use of fireworks, etc. The National HQ of Phi Kappa Tau subsequently suspended the Upsilon chapter for four years for violating their risk-management policy, and basically, to save face. Hence the Facebook group.
Needless to say, I don't buy the whole future doctors and architects spiel. I'm actually of the opinion that while some former fraternity brothers may go on to become doctors and architects, they will probably be worse human beings for having been in a fraternity. And anybody who thinks frats are basically good should realize that these incidents are not too far out of the norm. I'm sure that hazing exists everywhere. With new explicit rules, frats come up with new ways to haze - we can't beat them, fine, we'll make them stand in the cold. I also find it very interesting that in order to reinstate the Upsilon chapter, this Facebook group hopes to prove that the Upsilon chapter's members are "prominent". That word is thrown around a couple times, actually. Prominent men. What prominent really means to me is staggering, having influence over the community, coming from good families with fingers in a dozen pies, able to pull strings if need be. It means powerful. And that is not the same thing as character.
The same goes for sororities, but as it's like in high school, of course the girls aren't as violent as the boys and get less flak.
Phi Kappa Tau, a national fraternity, has a chapter called Upsilon, at Nebraska Wesleyan (the second biggest university after the state schools). This chapter has a Facebook group called "Phi Tau Upsilon Forever" (link only available if you're on Facebook), which says:
If you believe that Phi Kappa Tau Upsilon builds men of character this is your group. If you know doctors, lawyers, architects, accountants, or any other prominent alumni of this house join this group. We have to band together and support these men. We all love these men "and know they are amazing people and will be major idols in our society someday. Join if you believe in Phi Kappa Tau Upsilon, know these are men of character, and are confident they all will rise above situations they are faced with.It later goes on to tell people to call the Phi Kappa Tau national CEO to "express your disgust with how nationals has proceeded with thier investigation and punishment!" in the hopes that with enough calls, "This should show them just how prominent these guys are!"
Curious as to what exactly happened at Phi Tau Upsilon, I of course turned to my good friend Google. It turns out that there was a fire at the Phi Tau Upsilon house in November 2006, which killed one 19-year-old and injured several others. Three (presumably fraternity brothers) have been arrested with charges of arson, hazing, illegal use of fireworks, etc. The National HQ of Phi Kappa Tau subsequently suspended the Upsilon chapter for four years for violating their risk-management policy, and basically, to save face. Hence the Facebook group.
Needless to say, I don't buy the whole future doctors and architects spiel. I'm actually of the opinion that while some former fraternity brothers may go on to become doctors and architects, they will probably be worse human beings for having been in a fraternity. And anybody who thinks frats are basically good should realize that these incidents are not too far out of the norm. I'm sure that hazing exists everywhere. With new explicit rules, frats come up with new ways to haze - we can't beat them, fine, we'll make them stand in the cold. I also find it very interesting that in order to reinstate the Upsilon chapter, this Facebook group hopes to prove that the Upsilon chapter's members are "prominent". That word is thrown around a couple times, actually. Prominent men. What prominent really means to me is staggering, having influence over the community, coming from good families with fingers in a dozen pies, able to pull strings if need be. It means powerful. And that is not the same thing as character.
The same goes for sororities, but as it's like in high school, of course the girls aren't as violent as the boys and get less flak.
