My big, fat Greek witchunt

The unfair scrutiny over Cal’s fraternities

By Josiah Prendergast
From the October 2005 Print Edition

Our fine university is actively trying to kill off the Greek community, or stunt its growth at the very least. If you have not heard of the alcohol moratorium by now, pay close attention: Greeks cannot have events at which alcohol is consumed. As we speak, the moratorium is being slowly rolled back; we now have game days and limited off-campus events. But the moratorium should never have existed. It is a backward policy built out of a public-relations scheme to improve the image of the university, at the expense of the students’ well-being. Now the Greek community is made the scapegoat for a larger problem, one that Greeks can solve for themselves.

I often enjoy ideological banter, but the cold hard facts are all that matter right now.

Underage drinking happens! It is not a phenomenon causally related to fraternities. Underage drinking is not particular to this generation, the Greek system, Berkeley, or even college students. It happens in high school, private apartments, university dormitories, and occasionally in classes. Nevertheless, our present university administration is focused on the easy target of the Greek system. Disallowing parties at fraternity houses sounds like a good start toward stopping the trend, but the unintended negative consequences are more difficult to stomach than a red cup of Trader Joe’s Vodka of the Gods.

Sadly our society is not built on the concept that alcohol is a safe thing in moderation. The high drinking age in the United States, in contrast to Western European states, is a substantial cause of alcoholism. To quote a high school classmate of mine, “Don’t lower the drinking age … The chase is half the fun!” Far too many students come to college without having learned their limits, and now they must learn in less-controlled environments. If you are under 21 and determined, you can certainly get your hands on some drinks. Drinking is not curbed; it is simply swept under the rug, or in this case, into the dorms.

Like it or not, fraternities serve a valuable role for those students unfamiliar with Grandpa’s cough medicine, providing experience and knowledge. Many freshmen simply do not have the experience to recognize when someone has had way too much to drink, cognition that could save or cost a person his life. It is actually safer for someone to drink at a party of 200 than in a dorm room of three, because often there are lower amounts of alcohol per person at the party and a higher ratio of experienced to inexperienced drinkers the majority of the time.

But enough about underage drinkers; let’s talk about those who can drink legally. They are certainly shafted most of all, and with consequences far more grave.

This policy will increase the incidence of drunken driving. The prohibition of parties at fraternities inspires a greater number of trips to the city. BART stops running before “last call,” so expect more people to drive intoxicated. Give me drunken pedestrians any day over the alternative.

Furthermore, a policy of self-governing to appease the university prohibited those 21 and older from going to Kip’s, Blake’s, Raleigh’s, Bear’s Lair, and the like for a drink with friends. Sadly, students in the Greek system are seeing their rights whittled away, and college life suffers for it. Sororities threatened with social probation, fines, and forced community service hours if a member sets foot in a fraternity? Where does this ridiculousness end?

It ends when we start standing up for ourselves. Most Greeks, myself included, have not done what is necessary to impact the future of our institution. We have stood idly by and watched the university crumble something near and dear to us. Maybe our sobriety takes out the fight, or maybe we feel like our legs have been taken out from under us.

Being in a fraternity has greatly enriched my college experience. I benefit from a whole social network created to bring some spice to the college life. Trips to the city, parties at the house, bonding with other Greeks, and doing it all at a great price — $950 per month with meals, Internet, cable, a single room, utilities, etc. It makes college more affordable and a blast at the same time. Many houses raise incredible amounts of money to support noble charities. Life-long friendships have been formed by an extra commonality. Links to the past have been maintained through these houses. The Greek system is not a mere product of or side note to Cal; it is intrinsically linked to the greatness of our university.

The Greek system provides a wonderful opportunity for those looking to expand their experience socially and intellectually. This university simply fails to open its eyes and acknowledge the positive impacts of fraternities and sororities. The closed-mindedness of university bureaucrats ultimately endangers students, the college community, and the future of a vital asset. It is time for our two institutions to treat each other with mutual respect and recognize our integral importance to one another.

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