Page 9 - To Dragma March 1932
P. 9
14 MAKCH- 1932 15
T o dRACMA remain unpledged for various reasons. Academic tests would eliminate
some- Others on the advice of the dean or other college representative
of these causes except locally and temporarily. We should rejoice that Inight pa>> through a probationary period, but all would have the privi-
such is the case, because we still have time to create a new standard lege of working openly for the prize of membership. Such a system would
not through fear, but because justice and good feeling demand it. \ o predicate mure fraternities either local or national. I t would also pre-
one chapter or fraternity can do it completely. I t will take the united suppose an attitude of co-operation between the fraternities and with the
efforts of all to make more than a beginning. Nevertheless anyone can college authorities. I look forward to the day when deans may have con-
begin. fidence enough in the highmindedness of the fraternities to refer to them
problem cases which she feels might benefit by association with them.
The first step is the desire to rid ourselves of hypocrisy. I f we wish
to be social clubs, let us say so. We may not be approved but we shall be The financial element cannot be disregarded. Many girls are unable
respected. I f we wish to fulfill our ostensible aims, and it is incredible to pay the cost of living in an expensive house. While the freshman is
that we should give them up, we need to do three things: first, revise impn--« d by size and luxury, she may iust as probably be repelled by
our ideas in regard to membership; second, come into more truly cordial the thought of the financial obligations. I f in her excitement she pledges
relations with each other; third, prove to college administrators our without considering them too practically she is bound to do so after initi-
sincerity in wishing to co-operate in student adjustment problems. ation. Finances loom large in chapter discussions. She may come to
feel that the chief end of life is to rush and pledge enough girls to fill
First, in regard to membership. We know how superficial the reasons the house and maintain the budget required by national auditors or
for a blackball may be. There is the absurd story of the girl who wore alumna' trustees. Consequently in her rushing talk she is tempted to over-
red cherries on her hat. Red cherries as an adjunct to millinery had not step the bounds of good breeding in stressing the advantages of a fine
become the vogue in that locality so she was blackballed. Later all hats house. Competitive building has brought about this condition; co-oper-
on the campus took to bearing fruit, but it was too late! The chapter lost ative common sense and a higher standard of values alone can eliminate
a splendid girl and she may have suffered deep humiliation. There is it, and then onlv when the fraternities together will bring their diffi-
the equally absurd tale of the chapter which would not pledge a fat culties to the college authorities who know local conditions and college
girl! Because of happenings such as these Alpha Omicron Pi has abol- plans. A fraternity or fraternities might be founded on a platform of
ished the single blackball system. The substitute procedure is generally minimum expense with the girls perhaps doing the work of a rented or
conceded to be successful. inexpensive house as they do in certain dormitories.
Less humorous, but not more sensible bars to membership are lack In the meantime I should like to see a chapter of any fraternity
of poise and social experience or humble origin. When we can give the with courage enough to stand on the principle of simplicity where con-
girl of good character and ambition the training she needs in such mat- ditions make it advisable, and offer to prospective members only the
ters we should not shut her out. To include her is not charity. She can fundamentals of fraternity; friendliness, companionship, inspiration, and
probably teach equally valuable lessons from her experience. Restric- an opportunity to be useful. I f it consisted of only one member I should
tions of race and creed are in a similar category. The college fraternity respect her for her gallant attitude, but I believe she would not be left
cannot go much further than society in general in ignoring such distinc- alone. The most popular house in my college days was in straitened
tions. As a rule it falls short of the tolerance of those outside. College circumstances for the time, but we found there lively conversation, in-
students should be leaders in progress, yet if society in general developed tellectual stimulus, plenty of nonsense, a charming hospitality and no
along the narrow lines of fraternity standards there would be little hope pretence. That is as it should be in college circles. The modern girl,
for better international relations or greater religious harmony. sophisticated i f you like, is intelligent and can appreciate real values
if given the opportunity. We elders should point the way.
Hobart College is developing an interesting situation. To quote The
Greek Exchange for April, 1931: "Many Hobart men see the day ap- College Panhellenics in some places have made important advances
proaching when the only neutrals will be neutrals from choice and there in the direction of good sportsmanship and interfraternity harmony. The
will be fraternities for all." I t is an example of college co-operation and National Panhellenic Congress at St. Louis provided for conferences
fraternity reasonableness. Dean Laughlin of the University of California I between national officers represented on campuses where problems were
at Los Angeles in founding Phrateres is aiming in the same direction acute. The idea could be widely extended. Nationals could agree to
though a different medium. These are rays of light which herald the dawn send representatives at the call of university authorities for a joint
of a new consciousness. Preferential bidding has been successful. The meeting. I t would be materially helpful if undertaken in a spirit of un-
system might easily be extended to all freshmen. A girl on entering selfish desire for the best interests of the college community. I believe
would have the privilege of expressing her desire for fraternity mem- the day will come when we will do these things or devise other means
bership frankly and without fear of its being prejudiced to her interests.
The college officer holding the preferences and knowing the choice and (Continued on page 40)
numerical requirements of each fraternity could refer to the various fra-
ternities the girls not already on their lists. A certain number would
