First and foremost, I’d like to thank the staff of The Oklahoma Daily for allowing me the opportunity to address the student body. These opportunities are rare, and we are extremely fortunate to have such a relevant and popular student voice. Secondly, I’d like to thank Brooke Myers for shedding light on a couple of issues that I as Interfraternity Council President have been fighting to correct — her article serves as a reminder to all of us within the greek community our system isn’t perfect, and our work to better it will never end. However, as its president, I can’t help but defend the greek system’s unmatched contributions and successes on our beautiful campus.
Oklahoma’s greek system has long been viewed as a flagship in the armada of American fraternity life. But rather than explain the impact Oklahoma’s greek system has had on me personally, I find it much more appropriate to discuss what this unique group does to benefit the greater university community — the one that we all share.
Ms. Myers mentioned the idea that after initiation, we are all just “numbers”. When I think about “numbers” and the Greek community, I think about the tens of thousands of hours of community service our members spend each semester helping local organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, CASA, CASP and others, making the Norman area and our campus a better place to live — for all of us.
Speaking of letters, Ms. Myers also describes a prospective member’s pursuit of those “prized” greek-letters. Once again, Ms. Myers and I differ in opinion. When I think “letters” and the greek community, I think of the letters G, P and A. Since the 1960’s, the average all-IFC GPA has been consistently higher than the all-male average (the most recent statistics available indicate a 3.01 vs. 2.89 for spring 2009).
But the greek system’s achievements cannot be recorded on mere transcripts alone. Its achievements are apparent in the more than 300 executive committee positions on campus chaired by greek males during the fall of 2008 and the spring of 2009. Events such as Homecoming, Howdy Week, Winter Welcome Week, HSLC and many other events that serve our university’s interests as a whole are made possible by the leadership of hundreds of greek students.
To rebut each of Ms. Myers’ sweeping generalizations would have been neither feasible, nor worth a reader’s time. But I must admit, some of her statements indeed wield merit. Some of our members do in fact attend parties on weekends, engage in youthful indiscretions, wear similar clothing and even adopt similar mannerisms and behavioral patterns. But what group of students or people in general is immune to such environmental adaptations? In the court of public opinion, we would surely all be found guilty of this apparent crime. Yet my aim is not to convince nongreek students that fraternity houses are without John Belushi posters, Solo cups or Copenhagen logs. That would be a foolish endeavor and fruitless nonetheless. Instead, my aim is to plead that we as a student body begin to appreciate the contributions that other students make to our beautiful campus, without regard to “greek” or “nongreek” labels and stereotypes. The use of such labels and stereotypes is inherently divisive and counterproductive.
I would also like to encourage other greek students not to view Ms. Myers as an enemy of the greek system, but as an opportunity — an opportunity to change a mind through good deeds.
Finally, in the spirit of unity, I would like to formally invite each of you to participate in Delta Upsilon’s Water Project For Haiti. Let us use this opportunity to unite as a student body behind a noble effort. Check Facebook for more details.
Daniel Edward Jones is the president of the Interfraternity Council
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Look, you schmuck, maybe before you send in a grandiose, pretentious letter to the paper defending how wonderful your system of moneyed upper-class college students is, you should check to see that you're not in a video of a giant stack of Natty Light cans called the "beermid". Or that nice picture of you at a toga party holding a beer can.
I don't understand how Greeks continue to fail to understand the simple calculus of both being a college student and a person who is capable of not wearing North Face coats: to people who don't live in IFC's little aristocratic bubble, Greeks are BAD. If you don't think your parents' ostentatious displays of wealth are a blight on this university, you are WRONG.
And come on, not every subculture is as victimized by the vicissitudes of groupdressing as Greeks - upwards of 90% of sorority sisters wear some sort of North Face coat. At least hipsters are in competition with each other.
Maybe the Department of Education can handle this better:
http://www.higheredcenter.org/services/a...
"While fraternities and sororities were founded on traditions of public service and camaraderie, campus Greek letter organizations may be more well-known for partying, excessive drinking, and hazing. These perceptions are not unjustified."
Outside of your fantasy world, one does not forgive the other.
Obvious troll is obvious.
I'm not exactly a fan of the Greek system, in part because it largely consists of the more well-to-do members of our campus and the concept seems to be akin to buying friends, but that in itself doesn't make them bad, necessarily. There are those that are good and bad in every social strata.
This is a very well worded article, and is very diplomatic in regards to giving credit to both Greek Letter students and not Greek Letter students. The facts that Daniel gives are correct, about how Greek Letter students on average out perform other students. However, that is NOT to say that non-Greek Letter students are without worth.
To outright claim that Greek students are "BAD" with no sound basis other than the fact that they choose make friends with those who have similar interests is like calling every member of the National Panhellenic Association racist because they cater specifically African American students.
Lastly, to say that because any 21 year old should be looked down upon because they drink or partake in themed parties with their friends is frankly ridiculous.
While the rebuttal to Ms. Myers' article is very well written and offers a great insight into the quality of the greek system we have here at OU, it simply cannot be ignored any longer that the president of IFC is a lawless liberal.
Under the guise of "small town Texas values" Daniel Jones is slowly pushing his no limit liberal agenda upon the OU Greek system. This must be stopped.
Signed,
A concerned American
I good to see that I ignore the comments section for several months and still see JJanowiak trolling. I guess it's nice to know that sometimes things just don't change.
I will admit that I'm a member of a fraternity. Thing is I never would have joined had the fraternity been the stereotype. Any hazing and I would have immediately depledged. And also I don't believe anyone in my fraternity could afford a North Face jacket let alone own one with having to pay for things such as rent and food out of their own pocket.
Also, Bill: it's "godless liberal", not "lawless". That is unless I'm confusing stereotypes.
kcreasey,
You are. Please return to your hole.
Critics: it's not really trolling as I do really despise the whole institution and think that nothing worthwhile comes out of it. Maybe you can't see because you're in a fraternity but I am voicing the opinions of many, many people.
I like how Daniel never refutes the "right-angle turns and speaking to no one but your pledge brothers for a week" that is just a glimpse into the hazing that goes on under everybody but the fraternity's themselves noses.
I understand that both those integrated into the Greek System and those that are not have certain thoughts and feelings about the other. What I do not understand is why this is a subject up for debate. Yes, there are negative and positive aspects of the Greek System, and yes, many members of the Greek System do share some of the same style and mannerisms, but who cares? Why does it matter how those in the Greek System compared to those not in the Greek System act? You might see a group of guys walking with their North Face jackets on, but why get upset about it. The people we're around influence who we become, including clothing, mannerisms, the way you talk, your musical tastes - the list goes on and on. Those in the Greek System choose to be in it. Not to harm or bother others, but because that is their choice, just as those not involved in the Greek System have chosen their own path. Why not just let each other be and quit wasting time bringing each other down. No matter what, each person has their own opinion that they, most likely, will keep, no matter how much the other side tries to persuade them to think otherwise. Just let it go. There's no use arguing about how horrible, or not horrible, the Greek System is. Arguing and taking stabs at one another is not going to fix anything.
He seems like a fake... just one look at his Fb profile was enough for me... I doubt he really feels that wat about non greeks or GDI's. typical frat boy
Everyone here assigns stereotypes to others, it's human nature. But, the truth is there are good people in fraternities and there are bad people in fraternities. It's impossible to be completely unaffected by those you choose to surround yourself with, however the way someone dresses shouldn't be what we choose to use to define someone. avergirl, I'm ashamed to share a campus with someone who chooses to base their opinion of someone based solely off of what they see in a few pictures posted on facebook. Maybe you don't see eye to eye with Daniel on many issues, but just because he's in a fraternity doesn't mean that he's a bad person or that you may not have a lot in common with the guy. Perhaps I'm an idiot or maybe I was raised wrong, but I don't choose to judge people based on outward appearances, so sorry if I offend you, but the division on this campus is ridiculous and the blame doesn't rest solely with greeks and non greeks, each party is to blame as much as the other. So before you go saying a fraternity guy feels one way without actually knowing him, maybe you should check your own biases and look past the exterior. We might all find that we have a lot more in common than you think.
I remember when trolling meant something. Welcome me back OUDaily! New user name and everything!
Good to see JJ still at it. He's always on the mark with his criticism and it's all deserved. I always want to say the same thing but the guy always beats me.
Yeah, you Greeks suck. And when "concerned American" shows up on this site, it's normally some older, too conservative weirdo commenting nonsensical crap.
Fun times.
I worked with him as a part of homecoming exec last year, and he is one of the most genuine people i know. He was always sweet and never had anything bad to say about anyone. He didn't ridicule Brooke or non-greeks in his letter. He responded with class to someone else's tasteless rant. Class is something to be valued, whether or not you are in a fraternity. He is truly a class act. Good for him for standing up for his boys
It's funny to see how people against the Greek system always claim those that are Greek are riding on their parents' money. My parents pay nothing for school, much less my Greek dues. I pay them out of pocket because I think it's worth it. Many of my Greek friends have to work to pay for Greek life, and once again, they do it because they think it's worth it. Yes, some parents pay for their son/daughter's Greek life, but what's so wrong with that? Many of my Greek friends have parents who want them to focus on school and don't want them working, so they pay for things like a sorority or fraternity as long as grades stay high. There's nothing wrong with parents who have the money to pay for their child's Greek life, where otherwise they would not be able to be involved.
I'm not going to try and claim that Greek students are better than non-Greek, because they aren't. There are incredible people in both the Greek and non-Greek communities. I would not have joined my fraternity if I thought in any way I would be subjected to unacceptable treatment. I've seen nothing but support and love from my house, all the members, and especially my pledge class. Going Greek is the one of the best decisions I've made at OU, but I fully support those who choose not to. Many of my closest friends are GDIs. There's no reason for this anger and fighting between Greek and non-Greek.
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