Fraternities should actively combat negative stereotypes

Tanks, Ray-Bans, “bro” handshakes and “Natty Ice”. All are signs of a stereotypical frat guy, at least according to Urban Dictionary.

Though college culture has embraced these Greek system stereotypes, even poking fun at them, there are other cliches associated with fraternity systems that shouldn’t be celebrated.

The Department of Education is currently investigating Yale University about the university’s response to sexual harassment concerns, including an incident in which a fraternity marched around campus last year chanting, “No means Yes! Yes means Anal!”

Uproar over this event has inflamed a national debate over whether universities are doing enough to prevent sexual harassment and inappropriate male behavior. A recent op-ed in The Wall Street Journal even called for a ban of fraternities from college campuses.

Yale is certainly receiving wide exposure because it is a prestigious university. And while UCLA hasn’t experienced any events to the extremity of the one at Yale, there are still negative stereotypes surrounding our own fraternity system that need to be addressed.

Yet a complete ban of the system would undermine the issue at hand by simply equating fraternities in general with actions of aggressive male behavior and sexism.

Incidents like the one at Yale are unacceptable and point to the necessity of prevention education programs for members of Greek organizations.

Such programs are the obvious first step in eliminating the causes for fraternities’ bad reputations, and UCLA’s Fraternity and Sorority Relations has ensured that they are utilized.

Organizations in the Greek system at UCLA participate in numerous educational and preventive programs every quarter, including Bruins CARE Counseling and Psychological Services Training Certificate Program and workshops with Student Legal Services, according to Greek adviser Troy Bartels.

But beyond efforts to eliminate the bad behavior that characterizes negative perceptions of fraternities, there is more that can be done to improve relations between the Greek system and the rest of the student body.

The next step in actively addressing stereotypes would be to facilitate communication between Greeks and other student groups. Both sides engaging with each other will ensure that stereotypes are not based off of empty assumptions.

Last month, Theta Xi hosted Green Chef, a student-judged cooking competition and mini farmers market, at its house in conjunction with the student group Ecology, Economy, Equity (E3) to promote education about sustainable cooking.

Events like this, in which the Greek system engages with other members of the campus community, will help bridge the gap between frat row and the rest of the student body by creating an inclusive atmosphere.

Such co-programming could be utilized even more by the Undergraduate Students Association Council, especially given that next year’s council is dominated by Bruins United, a student slate that has been historically supported by the Greek system. As our student government, USAC should facilitate events each quarter in which leaders from student groups and Greek organizations can meet to discuss co-programming events for the quarter.

Pooling resources would be beneficial for both frats and student groups to host larger events. Frats are very visible organizations on campus and could help to promote and provide exposure for events put on by student groups. By the same token, student group participation alongside the Greek system can help to disprove the stereotype that the only thing frats do is throw parties.

Just because UCLA’s Greek system hasn’t been in the spotlight of bad press doesn’t mean that more can’t be done to improve the relationship between fraternities and the rest of the student body.

Do you wear bro tanks? Email Cody at [email protected]. Send general comments to [email protected].