Writer responds to Greek scrutiny

Whoa! Hold the pitchforks and torches, TAMIU Greeks. There has been a tremendous response to the last opinion piece I wrote on Greek life, and while The Bridge welcomes the readership and commentary, I would like to clear the air on a few of the issues that were touched upon. First and foremost, I would like to apologize to any and everyone whom the article offended and who misinterpreted what I said. That said, I do not retract any of my prior statements, nor do I denounce the previous article.Now, let’s get to the nitty-gritty of it, shall we? Neither this newspaper nor this writer has an “agenda” in “bashing Greek life.” On the contrary, I hope that Greek life reaches its full potential-and I believe it to have an immense amount of potential. I recognize that Sigma Nu Delta has coordinated many community service events such as the ALS Walk last fall, The Great American Clean Up, various campus clean ups and even blood drives. Kappa Delta Chi sorority has coordinated a yearly bowl-a-thon to help raise money for a charity of their choice.Delta Psi Alpha recently presented a “Sex and Blow Pops” presentation to students about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases. I could go on and on.I do realize and I do appreciate the value that the Greek community has for TAMIU and the Laredo area. I also realize that Greeks are a part of other clubs and organizations and that they are students, as well. However-and this is the point I attempted to convey in my previous article-Greeks on campus don’t offer social opportunities to those that aren’t Greek, unlike a campus such as Texas State in San Marcos, where Greek life is a staple of college life.In my time here at TAMIU, there were certain things I came to expect from Greeks. I expected them to be leaders, which should extend into the realm of campus life-something that TAMIU has traditionally struggled with. Ask any organization that has coordinated an event, and they will tell you that getting people to show is a monumental task all its own. This is where I felt Greeks needed to come in. Greek life, because of its sheer numbers and organization, has the ability to stir the masses at TAMIU. Greeks have the power to transform TAMIU life. That is not to undermine the efforts of other organizations such as CAB, but I believe the collective Greek community could do so much more for this campus than it has. These social experiences aren’t the negative stigma of parties that is attached being Greek. I’m referring to non-alcoholic functions and events. Take for example other campuses’ “Greek Week,” various events held throughout the week that can include activities, such as softball, potato sack races, etc. These social events open up a different side of college life that the general student population doesn’t offer. The fliers that have been posted on campus have not been for socials. They have been for community service events. In fact, the only social I can recall seeing is Delta Psi Alpha’s Angels and Devils mixer. Students are riddled with work and deadlines and papers and responsibilities, and Greeks should be there to alleviate some of that stress with social events. Something as simple as a pie-throwing booth on the green would work wonders. Some of those students that throw a pie might “have what it takes” to join the Greek ranks, some won’t. But for those unwilling to commit, don’t you think that Greek life should offer them something, too?On a campus that suffers from a lack of attendance to events, shouldn’t Greeks inspire the masses? Greeks offer brotherhood/sisterhood, friendship, support, networking, and fun for its members, and Greeks are more likely to succeed in the real world. But for those who are just trying to pull through college, shouldn’t we offer them something, too? You can pick up your torches again.