Earlier this year, I read that a fraternity at the University of Mississippi had been suspended by its national body because of the actions of three of its members. Evidence shows that three freshmen affiliated with Sigma Phi Epsilon likely tied a noose around the neck of a statue of James Meredith. Meredith was the first black student to enroll at the University during the 1960s.
A few months earlier, allegations of discrimination surfaced at University of Alabama. According to at least one member of an all-white sorority, alumnae pressured them to reject a qualified student for membership because of her race. IU President Judy Bonner, made it clear that “systemic and profound change is needed and that discrimination won’t be tolerated.”
Almost one year ago, members of Indiana University’s Kappa Delta sorority threw a party. The theme? Homelessness. The sisters of Kappa Delta covered their faces with fake dirt, and wore tank tops and cut off denim shorts. Also, they carried around signs that read, “Why Lie: It’s For the Booze,” and “Give Me a Nickel and I’ll Tickle Your Pickle.”
When I was an undergraduate student at Colgate University, I remember considering whether to pledge Lamda Chi Alpha along with one of my best friends, Aaron. During the recruiting process, we happened to discover that Lamda Chi had something called the homogeneity clause. While this clause was no longer in existence, it troubled us. It was a clause that was intended to keep Lambda Chi lily white. And Aaron, who happened to be Black, and I, were turned off by that bit of history and the fact that Lamda Chi had remained almost all white. But instead of using this knowledge as a teachable moment, we remained quiet and simply figured that frat life was not for us. The Greek system was like a separate entity at Colgate. What happened on Greek Row stayed there. And that is part of the problem.
Segregation and cultural encapsulation is alive and well on college campuses today. It might be found in sororities and fraternities catering to homogenous groups of all kinds, in dining halls, in some of the major fields of study, or even among the staff that takes care of the grounds and keeps the buildings clean. That these students at Indiana made light of homelessness as they partied shows that punishment is not enough. The same could be said for students at the University of Mississippi and those at the University of Alabama. Negative sanctions need to go hand in hand with the education of those involved as well as the larger student body. Otherwise, these students might graduate with a degree, but they will be sorely lacking in terms of basic work and people skills.