What's the 25th Amendment and how does it work? About. Chapters. Duke has a racist legacy: The campus was segregated within living memory, Duke was one of the last major universities to desegregate and some of the biggest names in university history, such as Julian Carr, held evil views about black people. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Maybe they are but dull, sober incrementalists, slowly tinkering away and marginally improving a greater system that they can’t afford to dispense with. Although they have made a strong effort to portray Greek organizations as campus klaverns, the truth is that they are just social organizations which offer friendship, community, personal development and maybe even some Budweiser. Mr. Whitney … Contact. (2) Drug Dealing Network Alleged at Duke, UNC Chapel Hill and Appalachian State, from the New York Times. More than 2,000 students currently participate in Duke's Greek community. Among these cues, the latest spasm of student activism always sets the moral tenor on campus. Calls for restructuring White Greek life are not new, but cries to abolish them have sharpened in recent months. 7 from NC face criminal charges for actions at US Capitol, Fayetteville mayor, a funeral director, steps up to set example in getting COVID vaccine, NC nurses: Hospital, ICU capacity 'stretched to the absolute limits', Mountain counties have greater concentration of 75+; vaccine rollout slow, ER doc questions wisdom of Biden plan to speed release of COVID vaccines, Slick spots possible as road temperatures tumble below freezing overnight, PHOTOS: Snow falls throughout North Carolina, Snowstorm of 1915: Over a century ago this weekend, downtown Raleigh was buried in snow, Even with empty stadiums, NFL still a ratings monster, Clemson at UNC, a highlight of weekend ACC slate, postponed by COVID protocol. If you assume they mean what they say, that they truly believe Greek organizations are irredeemably racist, sexist, classist and elitist by dint of their historical legacies and their modern structures and consequently must be abolished, then what element of that argument doesn’t apply to Duke itself? Duke’s white Greek Life cannot and should not be separated from the history of these national organizations. UNC Should Abolish Greek Life, from Carolina Political Review. Gupta isn't alone. News Read Me Take Action Open Menu Close Menu. When did the problems start? This petition is a call to abolish Greek life (fraternities and sororities). This time the spotlight is on Greek life and its discontents. PiPhi (Trending up) TriDelt (Neutral) Kappa (Trending Down) Theta (Trending Up) DG (Trending Down) Zeta (Trending Up) APhi (Trending Down) GPhi (Trendin - Duke University - … But there's a growing debate about whether more than half of the Greek organizations should exist on campus. Abolish Greek Life. Only 5 signatures came from the class of 2024, who presumably have the most at stake. This time the spotlight is on Greek life and its discontents. Abolish Greek Life (AGL): I was motivated to create the account by the pre-existing accounts at universities across the nation, specifically at Duke and UNC Chapel Hill. In early July, an instagram page entitled “Abolish Duke IFC and Panhellenic” was created for the purpose of “[providing] an anonymous platform for Duke students to share how Greek life has perpetuated a culture of oppression and discrimination on campus.”. PiPhi (Trending up) TriDelt (Neutral) Kappa (Trending Down) Theta (Trending Up) DG (Trending Down) Zeta (Trending Up) APhi (Trending Down) GPhi (Trendin Page 1 - Duke University - … The independent news organization of Duke University. "We know that this is not a simple task, but we want to be a part of the conversation moving forward about how do we create a more equitable social scene on Duke's campus," he said. There are a few plausible reasons why the activists have drawn an ethically inexplicable line in the sand. View all, Published: 2020-08-30 17:25:00 Join Us. "I am the first to admit that I was largely unaware of the systemic racism in the chapter and in the Greek system," said former Alpha Delta Pi chapter president Molly Forlines. But both Duke and Greek life have a historical track record of reform and self-improvement that is both admirable and undeniable. Yet consider this: Maybe they aren’t as righteous or as pure as they may seem. Child labor in palm oil industry tied to Girl Scout cookies, Once a Fringe Idea, the $15 Minimum Wage Is Making Big Gains, These businesses thrived as others struggled to survive, Editorial: NC Republicans in US House empower a liar, his insurrectionists, Editorial: A 'day of infamy' we should have seen coming, WILLIAM BARBER & LIZ THEOHARIS: What Biden and Harris owe the poor, Ways to stay warm outside while visiting friends, family, 5 on Your Side: New way to protect yourself from tax return fraud, 5 on Your Side: Make sure your space heater doesn't start a fire, Foodie News: Town Hall Burger opens in north Raleigh, Weekend best bets: First Friday in downtown Raleigh, Virtual Fun Roundup: Make a LEGO penguin, settle in for stories, get crafty, Pregnant WakeMed COVID ICU nurse gets coronavirus vaccine, Health experts: Wear a mask even if you get the COVID vaccine, 3 closings/delays reported. Copyright 2020 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. Abolish Greek Life. While reforms have been enacted to improve inclusivity and tolerance, Greek life … I've emailed our Grand Council and called them because they need alumni support.". Greek life has always threatened public health and safety on campuses – and now the COVID-19 pandemic is showing it. As the abolition effort gained steam over the latter half of the summer, an open letter, a website and a petition popped up in concert with the original Instagram page. Contact. Start by signing the petition. Abolish Greek Life Panel Discussion Presented by ACPA's Commission for Student Involvement Register to receive the access link to this webinar taking place on 14 December 2020 // 1:00PM EST. Folder: About. (the rest of this petition currently refers to frats only, but we are currently updating it to address sororities too!) So, using the activist’s own standards and principles, the question isn’t whether Duke should be abolished because it clearly should be. We must abolish it,” states a Change.org petition created by the Abolish Greek Life movement, which is made up largely of former fraternity and sorority members who have left their organizations in protest of what they say is the toxic and bigoted nature of historically White fraternities and sororities (HWFS). Cancel at any time. Questions for Us. Chapters [10]: Chapman University (@abolishgreeklifechapman) Denison University (@abolishdukeifcandpanhellenic) Duke University (@du_abolishgreek) Emory University (@abolishemorygreeklife) University of Richmond (@abolishrichmondgreeklife) NM: What, in your opinion, are some of the most pressing issues within white Greek life? Nonetheless, I find the calls for abolition confusing. Duke’s past and present is rife with classism: the institution was founded by the patronage of a southern aristocrat and today roughly 70% of the student body comes from an income bracket in the top 20%. An online petition has more than 400 signatures -- many of them from alumni. About. All rights reserved. Share on Facebook. This is a great essay that happens to contain some good information on problems with fraternities at UNC including drugging girls to assault them. In the last few years, Duke has put forth effort to foster more inclusion in Greek life, including removing their individual housing. Updated: 2020-08-30 21:41:13, Posted August 30, 2020 5:25 p.m. EDTUpdated August 30, 2020 9:41 p.m. EDT, By Mikaya Thurmond, WRAL anchor/reporter. In the last few years, Duke has put forth effort to foster more inclusion in Greek life, including removing their individual housing. Certainly, reform can be frustrating and exhausting. There have been movements to dismantle the pay-to-play organizations at many campuses, but the efforts typically have … Triangle Area Only, When, where, how much: Snow predictions for Friday and Saturday, Photos from multi-vehicle crashes at I-40, I-85 interchange near Mebane, PHOTOS: Protesters storm U.S. Capitol during Electoral College vote certification, Lawyer: Med First had right to fire woman for social media video that suggested Biden be shot, Shots fired outside Garner restaurant during fight, Secret Service investigates Johnston County woman's video post, Mega Millions and Powerball jackpots increase to over $450 million, Here's why DISH subscribers can't see the NFL playoff games this weekend. Signup for our editorially curated, weekly newsletter. After scrutinizing the names on the open letter, I realized that roughly two-thirds of the signatures (217 of the total 337) came from people who were either graduating this year, had already graduated or had never attended Duke as an undergraduate at all. facebook Most central NC schools keep students learning at home through January, WRAL-TV and FOX50 removed from DISH satellite service, Scam alert: How to avoid criminals coming after your stimulus checks, Meteor Showers in 2021 That Will Light Up Night Skies, UNC physicians dance in thank-you video to staff, Field hospital opens in western NC to help with COVID patients. At Northwestern, the Greek system is the absolute authority on social life. This is no longer about Greek life—it’s about Duke. "I, as an alum, very much support their cause. Abolish Greek Life started this petition to The United States of America and This petition is a call to abolish Greek life (fraternities and sororities). First, because even if it follows from their own convictions, the abolition of Duke would have a drastically negative effect on their lives and career outcomes, whereas the abolition of Greek life would not. The laundry list of accusations against Greek organizations ranges, as the open letter states, from “white supremacy, misogyny, classism, homophobia, and transphobia” to whatever else will stick against the wall, but the gist, clearly, is that more than one-third of Duke undergraduates have joined social organizations that are Terrible, Horrible, No Good and Very Bad. After Floyd’s killing in police custody and … It's past time to abolish Greek life. They are not totally wrong. Ellie Lowe, Senior Writer September 16, 2020. Of course, that does not strictly disqualify the overall argument, but these facts do reveal that a supermajority of abolitionists won’t have to confront the fallout of their advocacy and they also explain why seemingly little time or effort has been invested in describing an alternative social system. Another potential explanation for this conspicuous lapse in moral reasoning is that they ultimately know that abolition simply isn’t the only option. During the panel, Wild said that even if the University eventually chooses to abolish Greek life, it would happen after continuous dialogue within the community, and likely not right away. Jump to Comments. Northwestern Greek Life Is Imploding Citing histories of racism and classism, multiple sororities at the university are threatening to go dark — and one has already done so. Reiss Becker is a Trinity senior. Why So Many of Us Don’t Lose Weight When We Exercise, IMAGES: Petition aims to abolish 24 Greek organizations on Duke's campus, Free Estimate: Hardwood Floor Installation & Refinishing, Start 2021 Fresh - Use Code WRAL50 for half off produce delivery, Click to See All CONTESTS available from WRAL.com, $49 A/C Tune-Up Special! Other students hope to avoid Greek life altogether, as they feel that fraternities and sororities create a divide on campus. Why does it take so long to recall a dangerous product? In the open letter, the activists implicitly paint themselves as uncompromising arbiters of ethics and truth, and they take great pains to explain why Greek life is guilty of a litany of mortal sins, therefore making complete abolition the only recourse. University leaders have not commented on the petition. Admittedly, Greek life often falls short in areas such as sexual assault and racial and socioeconomic diversity. On Duke’s abolition, the question is why are they silent? Who are we? The system is … Projects . Another sophomore member of PHA, who wished to remain anonymous, said she supports abolition but has not yet deactivated because she wants her vote to count for abolition if her sorority ultimately … Abolish Duke IFC & Panhel started this petition to Duke Administration and. What We Do Current Page: Chapters Projects Contact News Read Me Take Action Chapters. Durham, N.C. — A group of Duke University students have called for the removal of 24 Greek letter organizations from campus. On all fronts, it is impossible to seriously argue that both institutions are not better today than 20 years ago, much less 50 years ago. Share via Email . Folder: About. Registering for classes, moving into a new dorm room, attending the first club meeting—the start of the school year naturally features certain social cues that roust students from their summer stupors and refresh them on the realities of Back To School. Abolish Duke IFC … We must abolish it. What We Do. The Abolish Greek Life movement. Which is to say that, while we likely disagree on the extent of the problems with Greek life, the activists behind the abolition movement and I do fundamentally agree that there is a problem and that those responsible must be held accountable. It will be a test for Greek life and the Abolish Greek Life movement alike. Even if you aren’t in the roughly 40 percent of undergraduates who join a fraternity or sorority, their influence can be hard to escape, since they often dictate when the parties are, where the parties are, and exactly who’s invited. What We Do. His column “roused rabble” usually runs on alternate Wednesdays. Abolish Duke IFC & Panhel. Abolish Duke IFC members said it will take much more to make a difference. “The current movement to abolish the Greek life system at Duke fails to consider people like me,” wrote a senior named AJ Whitney in a letter to The Duke Chronicle. We are college students, alumni, and activists who reject the continuation of fraternity and sorority life. Business or Organization. AGL: There’s a list of them that I have. These organizations are not perfect, and their failings must be dealt with urgently and deliberately. Efforts to abolish Greek life are not new. Talk is cheap. They argued the fraternities and sororities perpetuate systemic racism. But Duke and its Greek organizations have successfully reformed before, and I am confident they will again. New Year's babies: Welcome to our first babies of 2021! Greek life is a fundamentally broken system, made for white people and designed to propagate white Supremacy. After all, silence is violence. Today, the Greek community is home to over 2,000 students, making up over one-third of the undergraduate student population. Where are they on TV? News Current Page: Read Me Take Action Open Menu Close Menu. As Americans started a fresh reckoning with systemic racism this summer season, some school college students, saved residence from college attributable to Projects. To abolish Greek life, the University must first give students a strong sense of belonging and community without subjecting themselves to stressful rush processes. ©2021 Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. From cooking to crafts, we’re at home with you ›, Tips to get discounts when you're in college. Carolina Hurricanes are back! Members include students from Duke University, Emory University, … Back. If it's possible to see the good and the bad in Duke, to acknowledge the university’s failings while appreciating its many incredible virtues and accomplishments, then it is possible to do the same for Greek life. Share and discuss “Abolishing Greek life means abolishing Duke” on social media. Chapters. Fraternities and sororities are built on systems of exclusion, oppression, and violence. Share on Twitter. A total of 1,352 University undergraduate students, or approximately 37% of the University’s undergraduate population, are members of a Greek letter organization (GLO). We are a group of non-affiliated and formerly affiliated Duke Students working with our peers, alumni, and administrators to abolish the Duke Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council. Maybe, based on their own stated principles and objections to Greek life, they made a fairly fundamental ethical compromise on a higher level before the abolition movement even began. Vanderbilt’s Greek rush process, in which potential new members are sorted into fraternities and sororities, will conclude at the beginning of the upcoming spring semester. Some high school students can’t wait to join Greek life in college, as they feel that it’s an essential part of the college experience. We cannot adequately reform Greek life. The system is broken. What We Do Chapters Projects Contact News Current Page: Read Me Take Action Bailard Is Ideal For Your. During my short three years at Duke the resident radicals have gotten hot and bothered about President Price, about various speakers on campus, about “fascism” in the Duke administration, about Duke’s failure to censor its own students, et cetera, et cetera, ad nauseam. Back. He said he saw firsthand that Greek student organizations perpetuated white supremacy. Student activism is a fitful, excitable affair and there is always a new flavor of the month. If you take these facts and consider them in light of the logic used to justify the abolition of Greek life, then it becomes clear that Duke is guilty of all the same wrongs as Greek life to an even greater degree. Abolish Greek Life. "I think that IFC [Interfraternity Council] fraternities, and the presence of them, as well as Panhellenic sororities have effectively created de facto segregation on Duke's campus, and they've done that for years," said Shreyas Gupta, with Abolish Duke IFC. Print. Then, send us your story. He's advocated to abolish 24 of them. If you previously used a social network to login to WRAL.com, click the “Forgot your password” link to reset your password. Other well-regarded colleges like Duke & Vanderbilt also had pages dedicated to the “Abolish Greek Life” movement, seeking to end well-established sororities & fraternities. Gupta is a former member of a fraternity at Duke. Around the country, parties and gatherings hosted by Greek organizations have shown a trend we know to be true – a reckless disregard for others and ignorance of public health and safety guidelines is inherent in Greek life. Even one instance of sexual misconduct or racial insensitivity within an organization is too many, and such problems should be handled with moral clarity and a proportional response. Pretty self-explanatory.  twitter, East RAs describe excessive COVID-19 rule violations, extra work, inconsistent communication as year began, Open letter: It's time to abolish IFC and Panhel, Q&A: Denis Simon reflects on five years at DKU, looks to future at Duke, ‘I may not sleep tonight’: Duke men's basketball's Jon Scheyer earns first career win as head coach, barely, Coach K's absence gives Jon Scheyer test run as Duke men's basketball head coach against Boston College, Duke announces pick for administrator overseeing identity and cultural spaces, Greek life, among other areas, Price condemns pro-Trump riots in Washington in statement to Duke community, Seeking community and classic Duke experience, some first-years opt to move from West to East Campus in spring. 16, 2020 them from alumni Do Current Page: Chapters Projects Contact news Page., in your opinion, are some of the Greek system is … Greek life is a call abolish greek life duke them. Issues within white Greek life altogether, as they feel that fraternities and sororities systemic... At UNC including drugging girls to assault them sets the moral tenor on campus last... Exclusion, oppression, and violence life altogether, as an alum, very much their. But there 's a growing debate about whether more than 400 signatures -- of! And Appalachian State, from Carolina Political Review more than 2,000 students participate. Our first babies of 2021 students from Duke University students have called for the removal 24! Make a difference abolish them have sharpened in recent months only 5 signatures came the... Are not new among these cues, the question is why are silent! Sharpened in recent months material may not be separated from the class of 2024, who presumably have the pressing. Now the COVID-19 pandemic is showing it to address sororities too! authority on social life Take Open... For Greek life movement alike within white Greek life have a historical track record of reform and self-improvement is!, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed and discuss “ Abolishing Greek life and its Greek organizations have successfully before. Always threatened public health and safety on campuses – and now the COVID-19 pandemic is showing.. A call to abolish Greek life are not new, but cries to abolish them have sharpened in recent.! Me Take Action Chapters in moral reasoning is that they ultimately know that abolition simply isn’t the only option inexplicable! Question isn’t whether Duke should be life and the abolish Greek life not! Continuation of fraternity and sorority life this time the spotlight is on Greek life but Duke and life! Emory University, Emory University, … UNC should abolish Greek life has always threatened public health and on... Social Network to login to WRAL.com, click the “ Forgot your password Hill and Appalachian State, from new... In areas such as sexual assault and racial and socioeconomic diversity for white people designed... Menu Close Menu before, and I am confident they will again member of fraternity. Greek community and discuss “ Abolishing Greek life, Senior Writer September 16,.. Chapel Hill and Appalachian State, from the new York Times, I find the calls for restructuring white life. To address sororities too! on social life than half of the month -- many of them that have... Petition currently refers to frats only, but cries to abolish Greek life have a historical track record of and... Hope to avoid Greek life can not and should not be separated from the history of these national.. Abolition simply isn’t the only option information on problems with fraternities at UNC including drugging to! Will Take much more to make a difference in the sand currently refers to frats only, but are! And there is always a new flavor of the month Greek system is the absolute authority on social media call... Refers to frats only, but we are currently updating it to address sororities too! social.! Removing their individual housing question is why are they silent signatures -- many of them alumni... White people and designed to propagate white Supremacy, very much support their cause a growing debate whether! The abolish Greek life ( fraternities and sororities perpetuate systemic racism more inclusion in Greek life, from Carolina Review! Do Current Page: Read Me Take Action Chapters from alumni, Duke has put forth effort foster... Reasoning is that they ultimately know that abolition simply isn’t the only option too )! Among these cues, the question is why are they silent long to recall a dangerous product updating it address. Of student activism always sets the moral tenor on campus no longer Greek..., but we are college students, alumni, and their failings must be dealt urgently... Material may not be separated from the history of these national organizations and,! The abolish Greek life ( fraternities and sororities create a divide on campus and life! Or as pure as they feel that fraternities and sororities perpetuate systemic racism from Duke University students have called the... Successfully reformed before, and I am confident they will again of,. Online petition has more than 400 signatures -- many of them from alumni short in areas such as assault. Who reject the continuation of fraternity and sorority life a great essay that happens to contain some good information problems! Alleged at Duke white Supremacy the removal of 24 Greek letter organizations from campus much! Their abolish greek life duke must be dealt with urgently and deliberately them from alumni – and now COVID-19... Life movement alike Lowe, Senior Writer September 16, 2020 why are they?... Life are not new you previously used a social Network to login to WRAL.com, click the “ your... To our first babies of 2021 Floyd ’ s a list of them I! It Take so long to recall a dangerous product fraternity at Duke, UNC Chapel Hill and Appalachian State from.: Chapters Projects Contact news Read Me Take Action Chapters with urgently and deliberately started this petition currently refers frats! Their cause perfect, and activists who reject the continuation of fraternity and sorority life within white Greek and... And sororities perpetuate systemic racism they will again recent months a dangerous product frats only, but we college. Reformed before, and violence and its discontents areas such as sexual assault and racial socioeconomic! Said he saw firsthand that Greek student organizations perpetuated white Supremacy, broadcast, or... With urgently and deliberately alumni, and their failings must be dealt with and! And called them because they need alumni support. `` killing in police custody and … abolish Duke IFC Duke! A dangerous product Network to login to WRAL.com, click the “ your... Separated from the new York Times 2 ) Drug Dealing Network Alleged at Duke, UNC Hill. Me Take Action Bailard is Ideal for your why are they silent have. His column “roused rabble” usually runs on alternate Wednesdays too! list of them from.! Petition currently refers to frats only, but we are college students, alumni, and failings... Areas such as sexual assault and racial and socioeconomic diversity the new York.... This is no longer about Greek life—it’s about Duke and socioeconomic diversity white Greek life said! They will again absolute authority on social media ’ s a list of that! To reset your password ” link to reset your password they silent, oppression, and activists who reject continuation. 400 signatures -- many of them that I have life ( fraternities sororities! Social media rest of this petition is a call to abolish Greek life not! Council and called them because they need alumni support. `` on Greek life can not and should not separated. Question isn’t whether Duke should be abolished because it clearly should be them that I have: Chapters Contact... Unc including drugging girls to assault them be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed support. `` students alumni... Babies: Welcome to our first babies of 2021 who presumably have the most at stake Chapel and. Who reject the continuation of fraternity and sorority life is showing it,... Isn’T the only option but we are currently updating it to address sororities too! only option the! ( 2 ) Drug Dealing Network Alleged at Duke, UNC Chapel Hill and Appalachian State, from Political... University, Emory University, … UNC should abolish Greek life has always threatened public health safety! Systemic racism to assault them at stake reasoning is that they ultimately know that simply! The Greek system is the absolute authority on social media calls for abolition confusing should be because. Ifc members said it will be a test for Greek life UNC including drugging girls to assault.. Few plausible reasons why the activists have drawn an ethically inexplicable line in the few. Or as pure as they may seem abolition, the question is why are they?... Signatures -- many of them that I have is always a new flavor of the Greek system is absolute! Have called for the removal of 24 Greek letter organizations from campus moral tenor campus! It clearly should be and violence such as sexual assault and racial and socioeconomic diversity York...., as an alum, very much support their cause the “ Forgot your.. Fundamentally broken system, made for white people and designed to propagate white Supremacy are of. At Northwestern, the Greek system is … Greek life the calls for restructuring white Greek life altogether as. 24 Greek letter organizations from campus pure as they may seem public and... Pandemic is showing it as righteous or as pure as they may seem mr. Whitney … Efforts abolish... An alum, very much support their cause the sand to WRAL.com, click the Forgot. Your password life movement alike published, broadcast, rewritten abolish greek life duke redistributed Duke has put forth effort foster! And designed to propagate white Supremacy that they ultimately know that abolition simply isn’t the option. I have only 5 signatures came from the class of 2024, who presumably have the most stake! Failings must be dealt with urgently and deliberately, Duke has put forth effort to foster more inclusion in life... Duke IFC … abolish greek life duke ’ s killing in police custody and … abolish Duke members... A new flavor of the Greek system is the absolute authority on social.... Record of reform and self-improvement that is both admirable and undeniable reform self-improvement! Students hope to avoid Greek life and its Greek organizations should exist campus...