In Tuesday’s article titled “The Importance of Being Greek,” SMU’s Greek community was once again unfairly targeted.

As usual, the word Greek was used only to reference members of the IFC community. Panhellenic, NPHC, MGC, business, Christian, academic and pre-law fraternities, all of which play a vital role in our campus culture, were conveniently removed from the article’s premise, even though SBO candidates who are members of these Greek chapters were either elected or advanced to a run-off. 

Perhaps this was done so that the IFC community could once again be labeled as a negative aspect of our campus culture: a bunch of rowdy, well-connected, wealthy young men who never go to class, always buck the system, drink constantly and are in need of a major culture change.

The argument of Tuesday’s article, however, was a new development in the continuous battle waged against the IFC community. Apparently, having three IFC members elected student body president the past three years is wrong, as is having several members elected senators and officers and appointed chairs of the Student Senate.  Is this the culture we need to change?

The author is correct in pointing out that many members of the current Student Senate affiliate with a Greek organization, a factor of Greek life that should be celebrated, not condemned.  The author is wrong in her claim that “other organizations aren’t equally represented.” Having served in Student Senate for three years, I cannot recall a single time when a Greek chapter was given any amount of finances.  In fact, the highest amount budgeted to any council – not chapter but council – this past year was $2,000 given to Panhellenic, most of which will be given to Relay for Life. 

Additionally, out of all the issues raised and legislation passed this past year, only two pieces of legislation focused directly on the IFC community.  One urged the Interfraternity Council to mandate that all of its new members be TIPS trained and become Mustangs Who Care – a notion of realistic responsibility that was embraced by IFC’s leaders. 

The other issue raised was thwarting the SMU Police Department’s ability to enter our houses – the places where we eat, sleep and shower – without notice, whenever it pleases and with as many officers as it sees fit, without reasonable or probable cause.

The point is. most of what the Student Senate, which supposedly “keep[s] [IFC’s] best interests in mind,” actually focused on this past year were issues that did not specifically cater to the Greek community. 

The Student Senate created a diversity committee, addressed academic concerns centering on blackboard usage and textbook fees, brought diplomas back to graduation ceremonies, successfully advocated for much needed light-up crosswalks, brought forth environmental and sustainability concerns and added a student to the Faculty Senate calendar committee.  In fact, one of our biggest debates was expanding representation by creating senate seats for students with disabilities, transfer students and the LGBT community, a motion supported by almost every senator who is Greek.

It would be in the best interests of the entire SMU community if we drop the Greek versus non-Greek debate.  Recognize and promote the uniqueness of all SMU communities and stop unfairly targeting one specific segment of our campus culture—a very positive segment at that. 

The IFC community is not just “a powerful card to be able to play” and saying so is a grave disservice to the entire student body.  It is a community that thrives in the face of adversity, obtaining an average GPA above that of the all male average, fundraising for a multitude of charities, having high extracurricular involvement and opening its doors every week to host non-alcoholic late night programming. 

In short, IFC is a collection of 18 to 22 year-old males who come together and overcome the constant stereotyping that is thrown at them on a daily basis and do so with flying colors.  The efforts of this community should be praised and its involvement in Student

Senate is but one demonstration of its ability to produce civic leaders. 

This is a community that I will stand up for, as I would for any community of its stature that is unfairly targeted.
 

–Patrick Kobler
Student Body President
Pi Kappa Alpha