I understand you are most likely inundated right now with complaints and questions concerning the recent decision to eradicate a leading fraternity on campus. But I ask you to hear a letter representing the opinions and suggestions of students, alumni and parents.
The private institution of SMU remains successful through the tradition that stays alive in the hearts and wallets of its alumni. SMU would not be what it is without the support of its students, alumni and parents. This loyalty is created by a communal sense of achievement and in the same token that such a minute percentage of students show up to football games to cheer for a team with a poor record, so the students of SMU will not feel inclined to support their school without a sense of belonging, ownership and pride.
You are undoubtedly aware of the majority percentage of donations to the university made by Greek alumni. Sitting on SMU’s Board of Trustees, names such as Laura Bush, Carl Sewell, Ruth Altshuler, Gary Crum, Sarah Perot and Ray Hunt all represent a variety of the Greek letters at SMU. Coincidentally, none of them are Kappa Alpha. You are quoted in an article written by Ms. Liz Ford of The Daily Campus that “no organization on campus receives preferential treatment (4/30/08).” But given the correlation between crime records, reports, complaints and respective alumni donations from fraternities on campus-evidence proves all too clear for this to be true.
On June 4, 2008, the father of a student who was found dead in a port-a-potty one hundred miles south of Dallas was quoted saying: “The administration is either unwilling or has been incapable of addressing this issue [drugs], and we urge the administration of the university to radically change their approach to this problem” (Texas Monthly). And I can only imagine how it felt to sit across from the Stiles family as they read the police report of their son’s death. This is why I agree with our board of directors in believing that changes need to be made regarding SMU’s Greek life in order to promote the scholastic dedication, involvement of students on campus, and most importantly, moral standards.
However, this grave decision to take away KA’s charter was made too quickly-without involving enough support to create a long-term successful verdict. In eradicating the Kappa Alpha fraternity you have disbanded a group of leaders all over the SMU campus. Kappa Alpha members represent players on the football and lacrosse teams, Honor Council officers, Student Senate members, high academia and promise for the future than any pledge classes preceding. This is not to mention the values that KA is respected and known for by sororities, fellow fraternities and professors alike.
As a Greek community member and officer, I urge you to recognize the tools that you have at hand with each Greek organization. If you want to make a change and set an example, please do it in a positive manner. I believe with negative consequences, one will achieve negative results. In light of President R. Gerald Turner’s Millennium Campaign and expectation to raise $750 million in a drowning economy, you have now just isolated the university with resentment and adversity. Instead of diminishing incoming revenue and donations from fraternities on campus, why not charge them to start their own fundraisers as a stipulation of campus involvement and community?
The recent article in Texas Monthly is yet another call of publicity on SMU’s poor regulation of student life. Why not require of your students philanthropy events, hosting community activities on campus to supplement the Tate and Pitt Lectures, or require community service of students to graduate or affiliate with any society on campus? Think of the positive PR you would encourage for SMU’s student life and affirmative influence.
I believe your action to remove KA demonstrates how patronized and capital conscious SMU is, and in doing so, enabling our reputation at SMU that “money talks.” My hope for the future of SMU in standing against stereotypes and negative outlook is that we would take a positive reaction to issues we face-above all, with unity and progression in mind.
Frances Cannon is a junior financial consulting major. She can be reached for comment at [email protected].
