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UA should consider Dartmouth's model for better greek system

In what appears to be a part of the nationwide movement to reform the greek system, Dartmouth college has released a report proposing that fraternities and sororities make drastic changes in greek tradition.

Among other reforms, the report recommends that greek houses adopt a coed residential system, give freshmen the option of not living in the houses and implement more stringent alcohol regulations.

While they may seem unrealistic and a complete upheaval of the greek tradition, the proposals within the Dartmouth report are a big step in the right direction and ought to be taken seriously by the UA greek system.

Already, the UA greek system has expressed an interest in reforming its traditions by moving all large alcohol parties off campus. However, this idea needs to be followed up by more sweeping and effective movement against underage drinking in fraternities and sororities.

Dartmouth's report calls for detailed house budgets that record the purchase of alcohol more carefully and will be given to the college for review. Such procedures could help limit the amount of alcohol abuse for which the greek system is known.

Tougher academic standards, such as requiring more demanding courses, could also limit the amount of recreational drinking within greek houses.

Another proposal within the Dartmouth report that the UA ought to take seriously is the creation of alcohol and sexual abuse peer advisors members within greek houses. That greek houses would need such advisors reflects the sad but true "traditions" of abuse and hazing that take place within some fraternities and sororities.

However, reforming the UA greek system is not simply an effort to impose values onto greek houses. These reforms will benefit fraternities and sororities by improving their reputations and welcoming more quality students into their membership.

True, such changes will completely transform the culture of the greek system. But a culture that has promoted underage drinking, allows despicable hazing practices and does little to improve the quality of life for students in general is not a culture that any university ought to simply ignore.

Implementing the reforms that the Dartmouth report suggest will also improve the reputation of the UA. A university that makes great efforts to ensure that its greek system is a safe and positive influence on its campus will be more highly regarded than a campus who overlooks the reprehensible behavior that greek houses call "tradition."

In fact, this is what forced Dartmouth to review its fraternities and sororities in the first place. It found that quality students were passing over the school because of its greek system's bad reputation.

Many believe that the greek system is a cornerstone of college life. But the system has also become synonymous with dangerous and abusive behavior. Fraternities and sororities can become a valuable aspect of college life, but only if they make great efforts to create a culture in which students will not be compelled to engage in dangerous activities.

The Dartmouth report is an excellent model for a university to use in order to begin reforming its greek system. If the UA makes more efforts of its own, quality students will view the university in a better light, and the UA campus will improve as a whole.

Sheila Bapat is a political science sophomore. She can be reached at editor@wildcat.arizona.edu.