EDITORIAL: Greeks, it’s time to grow up a bit
Start making better decisions, instead of making a stereotype a prophecy
Screenshot via YouTube
There is a cognitive dissonance between the public image of Sac States Greek organizations and the violations listed in the report requested by The State Hornet.
September 20, 2017
It’s clear as day; Sacramento State’s Greek life has problems.
It is clear as well that they are problems for all colleges with a Greek community. And it is not limited to the poor taste and poor behaviour of a fraternity or a sorority member, but it extends beyond to the habitual actions taken to endanger the lives of students and others.
It was a poor choice for Alexandra Jimenez, then 22, to drive after a night of drinking . It was a poor choice for Brett Jones, then 25, to get in the car with her, and not wear a seatbelt as they headed back towards campus from a bar downtown near 2 a.m. Thursday morning on Feb. 11, 2016.
RELATED: A two-year report on Greek life violations reveals laundry list of problems
And it was poor misfortune that the car carrying Jimenez and Jones would enter the onramp lane of Highway 50 near Howe Avenue and collide with a semi truck, ending Jones’ life.
It didn’t end Jimenez’s life, but it did change it. Later that year, she pleaded no contest to vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, was sentenced to a year of custody and five years of probation.
Before that night, she was a sociology major, an employee with Associated Students, Inc., and a sister of Sigma Kappa. Jones was a Marine, criminal justice major, and brother of Tau Kappa Epsilon, not at the time a recognized chapter.
For once, for all, for the sake of all those who may be next; it is time for Sac State’s Greek community to stop making poor decisions, regardless if they are going to be caught.
RELATED: #SacStateSays: What is your impression of Greek life on campus?
Stop hazing. Do not put people in unsafe situations. Do not endanger their lives, as the Louisiana State University chapter of Phi Delta Theta did to Maxwell Gruver this semester, or the Penn State chapter of Beta Theta Pi did to Tim Piazza last semester, as seems to happen every year.
Stop abusing alcohol. Do not binge drink. Do not force people to drink alcohol if they don’t want to. Do not encourage underage drinking in an unsafe setting. Ideally, don’t encourage it at all. Do not drink and drive.
Stop hiding things. Do not lie under investigation. Do not falsify evidence. Do not silence witnesses or victims. Do not listen if your adviser tells you to do any of those things. Advisers, don’t tell your members to do any of those things.
Stop pretending charity is your focus. We all know the focus, because it’s the same as almost every college student; get good enough grades and have fun. Be honest about why you joined your fraternity or sorority, or honestly care about charity. Actually fulfill your minimum requirement, or exceed it. Make it something that matters, rather than a curtain to get blacked out behind.
Stop turning a blind eye. Report things when you see them. Protect your brothers and sisters. Confront notions of sexism, racism, homophobia and all other afflictions of the human mind that pretend any one human is better than another.
Stop making excuses. Drinking, having sex, partying, being a leader of a community; these are all adult actions. Account for yourself and others, and make it count. Don’t lose more members the way Brett Jones and Alexandra Jimenez were lost.
Read the full report below:
Sac State DLP Alumnus • Sep 22, 2017 at 5:32 pm
Editorial Staff of the State Hornet,
As a Alumnus of Sacramento State, the State Hornet and a Brother of Delta Lambda Phi (DLP) Social Fraternity I am astonished at this editorial and its lack of research into greek life (beyond the study) and the lack of reverence for a life lost over two years ago and the impact it had on the Sacramento State Greek community.
I have been in DLP since Spring 2015 and have been able to raise money for the Gender Health Center and the Trevor Project both of which focus on the LGBTQ+ community. To generalize the actions of a few greek life members and assume that all are the same is idiotic.
I know that there is a lot behind an editorial, having done a few myself, but I would never agree, as a staff member of the hornet or any news outlet, to an editorial that taunts a group of students and tells them that an organization they give so much to is meaningless and comes down to partying sexual assault and driving drunk.
In DLP we are dry, meaning all DLP fraternity events are alcohol free. There are club events yes, but we always have brothers watching out for each other and willing to drive people home or call them an uber, lyft, saferides, or cab home.
The state hornet asks of us in greek life to: “Confront notions of sexism, racism, homophobia and all other afflictions of the human mind that pretend any one human is better than another.”
I think my organization and many in Sacramento State Greek Life do this daily. Our campus has a United Sorority Fraternity Council made up of 18 multicultural or cultural based greek orgs that do this daily.
DLP just held a drag show on this campus to raise awareness about the LGBTQ+ community we educated those in attendance about drag, had fun (without drinking) and raised money for the Sacramento Gender Health Center. There were greeks from multiple councils in attendance and we all were there supporting diversity in Greek Life.
Each Greek Org has a philanthropic organization they support and usually it ties into what a founder has been through or helps a community like the members of the greek organization.
Stereotyping all greeks because what a few members who happen to be greek have done is outrageous and hateful.
The lives lost due to bad choices are not only in the greek community but everywhere. There are plenty of parties on this campus not tied to greek life, many of these parties can be tied to other school orgs or teams or some are just a group of students getting together and there are issues tied to them that can lead to the loss of a life but that does not mean that every student on a team, in a club or in general is a drunk driver, hazer and dumb for going out and having fun.
I know that staff members of the State Hornet do get together and party occasionally, as many students do. I know of instances where Hornet staff members have been drinking alcohol while they were reporting events is that a bad choice?
Being in a brotherhood, sisterhood or siblinghood does not mean that you are only there to hold ones hair while they puke or you are there to party all the time. It is a bond of friends that becomes a family one where a big can help their little through a hard time in life, one where an alumni can be there for their chapter when they are trying to figure things out.
I joined my fraternity to be around like minded men who are breaking the stereotype and stepping out for those who may not be able to. Being in Delta Lambda Phi Social Fraternity has given me a bigger voice in the rights of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer community.
I ask the staff of the hornet to take a bigger look into greek life and actually take time to educate themselves on the subject before they generalize and smear the names of members of greek orgs and the names of a few greek orgs in their editorial.
You have started a conversation about greek life let us in the greek community speak to this in a public forum and we can maybe some up with a few educational seminars regarding drinking, hazing, and other issues you raised in your Opinion piece. Maybe we can all figure out ways to prevent these from happening rather than name calling and pointing fingers when people make a bad choice.
Respectfully,
Brian Ratto
Delta Lambda Phi, Alumnus
State Hornet Alumnus
Sacramento State Alumnus
Gamma Phi Beta Alumna • Sep 22, 2017 at 12:36 pm
This article is incredibly tasteless, insensitive and contains many false remarks. I am extremely disappointed that this was able to be distributed by a university publication.
The Greek system has opened so many positive doors in the lives of countless people and it should not be shamed by people who make assumptions.
Anonymous • Sep 22, 2017 at 11:56 am
You mad bro? Stay mad! You sound like you’re just upset because you never received a bid or you got dropped. It’s unfortunate what happened to BreTT. But, Greek or non-Greek, these things happen and can happen to anyone. So stop blaming the whole Greek community for it. It’s not our fault you couldn’t fit in.
BK • Sep 22, 2017 at 11:55 am
The truth hurts sometimes. All the people upset about this article are mad because you’ve struck a nerve, you’ve hit close to home. Clearly none will take the message of grow up to heart. The idea that college is about partying and fun will continue, and more people will be hurt because of it.
Jon • Sep 22, 2017 at 11:36 am
The person who wrote this probably didn’t get a bid. That’s they are so salty
Tom Carroll • Sep 22, 2017 at 11:35 am
I really wish Leanna and Karlos with a K we’re still here 🙁
Danielle Cravalho • Sep 22, 2017 at 11:33 am
Poorly written article. Rather than listing a list of things not to do, this author could have chosen to include a list of resources for students, provide suggestions for safe drinking, list activities that do not involve drinking, etc. This article also makes many assumptions and accusations that are false. It’s a shame that this article was published.
Alpha Chi Alum • Sep 22, 2017 at 10:26 am
As a CSUS graduate, I can say this article took away the pride usually feel when talking about Sac State and my experiences there. I am proud to be a CSUS grad, but I am also proud to have worn the letters of Alpha Chi Omega during my time there. Some of my best, lifelong friendships were formed during my Greek years at CSUS that I will cherish forever. I currently have a Masters degree and run my own successful business, and can say that this article was distasteful, disrespectful, and outright wrong. Everyone makes their own choices, everyone has the right to make their own decision. Being Greek has nothing to do with drinking and driving. I remember multiple nights volunteering for safe rides (predominantly ran and domintaed by Greeks ) to help eliminate drinking and driving incidents. To quote about mishaps from other schools Greek systems is also ridiculous because the focus of this article was The Greek system at Sac State. Instead of adding more negativity, why not focus on how much good the Greek system does. To whoever wrote this, you should be ashamed, and to CSUS, you should also be ashamed for allowing this to be published.
Carlo Mazziliano • Sep 22, 2017 at 3:00 am
This entire article is full of logical fallacies. I suggest you do some research before you make these preposterous insinuations about the Greek community. You are clearly uneducated about the subject and your jealousy is overwhelmingly obvious. You’re begin your argument by using the most disrespectful example to try and push your agenda. Patricia couldn’t have worded it any better. Word of advice: if you want to persuade ANYBODY to agree with your opinion then at least provide some factual evidence.
Anonymous • Sep 21, 2017 at 11:56 pm
How dare you write this, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF! Your wrote this in poor taste, have some more compassion! You truly are a fool for writing this garbage about two people who have lost everything. Shame on you.
EA • Sep 21, 2017 at 8:29 pm
After this article was published this morning, 2.5 years of emotions rushed back to me and I began sobbing in my senior seminar class. Yes. Crying in front of other students because of the complete ignorance of this article. Something I never once thought would happen at a campus I love so much. Joining a Greek organization is one of the absolute best decisions of my life, and without it I would not be as driven as I am today to make a difference. You do realize that Greek members are students on campus, and as students we are paying for the State Hornet to be an active program on campus. In other words. We’re paying into your program, for you to turn around, hide behind a computer, and slander the names of two AMAZING organizations on campus. Does drunk driving not happen to anyone other than Greeks? Do only Greeks make bad decisions? Why are advisors being brought into question? Do you understand it’s actually hazing prevention week and we are out in the library quad with a booth to stop/prevent hazing? No. You don’t realize that because you decided to forgo fact checking and lack any type of empathy. Next time, you may want open your eyes and realize that the program you decided to create an editorial for (very poorly written, might I add), is one that wouldn’t be around without the students (yes Greeks too) on campus paying for it. If this is how you’re going to talk about your peers, good luck in the real world. I really hope you don’t put this pathetic excuse for journalism in your portfolio, you never know who your future employer will be, like perhaps a dedicated former Greek, who gives back to the community and doesn’t regret one moment of accepting their bid. I can assure you they won’t find this as amusing as you seem to think it is. Also, shame on you State Hornet for allowing a piece like this to be published. Free speech is one thing, but slander is a whole different ball park. I would like to petition to remove the State Hornet from the campus if this is what we’re paying into.
Dom Fonseca • Sep 21, 2017 at 8:23 pm
News flash: did you know that people who are not affiliated with a Greek organization also drink and drive? Apparently not, because your main argument that you make according to this article, you MUST be Greek to drink and drive. Letter to the author: you are an ignorant, close-minded moron who should probably think twice before being so negative about a generalized opinion that you might have on a population of people. Considering the fact that you most likely aren’t in Greek life, you would have no idea what we do.
Shelby Whedon • Sep 21, 2017 at 2:34 pm
This is the most distasteful, disrespectful and disappointing article. As an alumna of Alpha Chi Omega I can personally say that Greek life did nothing but benefit me in everyway possible. Being a member of Fraternity or Sorority is a full time commitment and responsibility. It requires time management skills, academic standards, good character and financial responsibility. Like Brandon said, you do not need to be in the Greek community to party, to drink excessively, or to make poor decisions. That is a part of college. People drink, people party. I will agree with you, sometimes the “partying” is over done but it doesn’t take being Greek to get to that point. Every student, Greek or not, has made a poor decision. Yours? Writing this article in such a despicable manner without any regard for the parities involved. Your point that these are all adult actions is absolutely correct. We are adults but we are young adults. We are still learning through the choices and actions we make. To blame the Greek community for incidents like this is complete and total ignorance. Greek life is much more than getting drunk and partying with your friends. It is a community. Its about brotherhood and sisterhood, giving back, building relationships and challenging your peers to better themselves. Slandering the Greek community without real evidence to back these allegations up is foolish.
As a friend of both Brett Jones and Alexandra Jimenez, I ask that the next time you decide to write an article, please be mindful of the style and nature you decide to deliver your point. To attack the actions of both Brett and Alexandra is insensitive to say the least. Shame on Sac State as well for allowing such a degrading and poorly written article to be published.
Tom Carroll • Sep 21, 2017 at 1:01 pm
Again, any post claiming to be Tom Carroll is not an administrator at Sac State. If you have questions or concerns please contact the SOAL office at 916-278-6595.
Tom Carroll • Sep 21, 2017 at 12:27 pm
I would also like to add in that the student pictured in this article is an absolute frat star! While this article says we have an issue with greek life I am actually very impressed with the ability our fraternity men have to throw down. Keep up the good work Greeks and grow that strong Hornet Nest. Geeds, better luck getting a bid next year. #StingersUp #RollState
Tom Carroll • Sep 21, 2017 at 10:31 am
The post claiming to be me, was not done by me. If you have questions or concerns please contact the SOAL office at 916-278-6595. If you would like to know more about how the newspaper received the information, please review the Freedom of Information Act website https://www.foia.gov/
Fox news • Sep 20, 2017 at 10:49 pm
#fakenews
Anonymous • Sep 20, 2017 at 8:38 pm
I wanna know why these documents were so easily handed over. Are these records not confidential at all? Can anyones information be accessed and given to the school newspaper? I think Tom Carroll, Nicki Crowly, and Megan Garrison should be held accountable, they are not protecting the interest of the Greek Life.
Alpha Chi Alumna • Sep 20, 2017 at 8:37 pm
Dear editorial author,
By the sound of your alternative facts, you have poor coping skills with not recieving a bid from a Greek organization. I send my sincerest condolences. Since you failed to include any relevant interviews, let me provide one free of charge. I am a CSUS Alpha Chi alumna with 2 degrees and am working on my third. I am currently a graduate student at one of the top nursing programs in the country (see USA Today for further details). Would you like to know what helped me get to where I am today? My membership in Alpha Chi. You must be unaware of the networking, mentoring, academic standards, time management, volunteer hours, philanthropy, and overall commitment that goes into being a part of any Greek organization. I wouldn’t expect you to know that when you haven’t done your research. You must be failing your current English course. Any acceptable publication requires research, proper citations, ethical considerations, relevant examples, and accurate information. Your vocabulary is either subpar or you have an atrocious choice of words. Please stop embarrassing my alma mater with an article that was clearly meant for your diary.
Sansan • Sep 20, 2017 at 7:51 pm
No one is saying all Greek organizations are bad and do these behaviors but the fact that this is happening among some in recent years- shows us something. It’s still happening. Yes it’s an opinion, sure it’s not “well written” but you’re missing the point. For those in the Greek life, use the emails from SOAL as reference to make sure your organization is in compliance. Those letters and emails aren’t fake.
Apollo • Sep 20, 2017 at 4:51 pm
It’s hard to believe that the SacStateHornet can claim to be the voice of Sacramento State when so many seem to disagree with what is being written. This article was clearly written in spite rather than from the perspective of an informative conscientious objector. Greek life is not the problem here, it’s college kids who want to have too much fun. So until we can figure out how to settle down tens of thousands of hormonal, sleep deprived, stressed out young adults, I’d suggest you take your accusations elsewhere, friend.
anonymous • Sep 20, 2017 at 4:51 pm
Sac State must have nothing better to write about when the featured article is about Greek life and partying. That just shows how important Greek life must be to our campus to be a focus topic on our school newspaper. Shame on Sac State’s newspaper mentors for allowing such a biased featured article. There were no interviews that conducted how Greek members felt or explanation to hear both sides of the OPINION piece. I would love for a Greek member to write an article about the other side of Greek life so other Hornets can get other perspectives.
Breonna Guzman • Sep 20, 2017 at 3:54 pm
My name is Breonna Guzman and I have been a member of Alpha Chi Omega for 3 years and a student at this school for 4. A friend showed me this article in person and my heart dropped. I’m so disappointed this made the front page. This is so poorly executed and researched. I’ve met so many amazing people in the geek community and for an article like this to put us on blast for something that many of us do not do is awful. I am part of an organization that promotes domestic violence awareness, healthy relationships, academic interest and responsibility. We do these things on a daily! Other organizations have their own values they promote on a daily as well! We do not turn our eyes away from situations or pretend we care about our charities or any other claims you made. Of course there have been situations but the few do NOT represent the many. We work so hard to show people the truth of our organizations and that we are not what you see on tv or movies. I’ve grown as a person through my sorority, made many work connections and have so many other great opportunities. I’m disappointed and disgusted that you so blindly call us out with no real facts. Thank you for adding to the negative image and pushing us deeper into the stereotypes. Even though this is going to be seen by our communities and may enforce stereotypical thinking, we will move on and continue building young women and men to be great leaders and friends in their communities.
Anonymous • Sep 20, 2017 at 3:15 pm
As a friend to people mentioned in this article I find it incredibly insensitive and tasteless. As a reporter you still have a moral and ethical duty to respect those you are writing about. Families and friends are still emotionally healing from unfortunate events that have taken place. As someone who has chosen to no longer affiliate with the Greek community I am speaking for both perspectives and it’s tacky either way. You should know better as a human being than to act that way. I know many people who are not affiliated with Greek life who consume alcohol and drive under the influence more often than anyone I have known during my time in the Greek community. I hope that you continue to receive backlash for this as you ,being an outsider, have zero right to comment on the tragic situation concerning the Jimenez and Jones family. Perhaps you should reevaluate your career choice after this poorly written and false article.
Anonymous • Sep 20, 2017 at 3:06 pm
As a friend to people mentioned in this article I find it incredible insensitive and tasteless. As a reporter you still have an moral and ethical duty to respect those you are writing about. Families and friends are still emotionally healing from unfortunate events that have taken place. As someone who has chosen to no longer affiliate with the Greek community I am speaking for both perspectives and it’s tacky either way. You should know better as a human being than to act that way. I know many people who are not affiliated with Greek life who consume more alcohol and drive under the influence more often than anyone I have known during my time in the Greek community. I hope that you continue to receive backlash for this as you ,being an outsider, have zero right to comment on the tragic situation concerning the Jimenez and Jones family. Perhaps you should reevaluate your career choice after this poorly written and false article.
Fight Me • Sep 20, 2017 at 1:42 pm
and if anybody took my last comment seriously, don’t
I forgot this was the internet and sarcasm doesn’t translate
Fight Me • Sep 20, 2017 at 1:40 pm
A lot of the current and former Greeks are coming off as real high and mighty,
It’s time for a change, bring on the Ottoman Frats!!!!!!
JA • Sep 20, 2017 at 1:27 pm
The fact that Tom Carroll, the school administrator who was formerly the Greek life coordinator, asked on this thread “What does any of this have to do with Greek life?” is shamefully dishonest and 100% indicative of the problem. It’s like a tobacco company saying “non smokers get sick too so obviously there’s no connection to cigarettes.” We all know Greek organizations facilitate bad behavior – the question is what, if anything, to do. Ridiculous. Utter abdication of responsibility.
Jelly • Sep 20, 2017 at 12:41 pm
Brett’s passing was, and still is extremely difficult for friends and family to digest. The author(s) holds nothing back when inserting Brett into a poorly written artical. Which is false AF! If your message was to prevent alcohol related incidents, why wouldn’t you provide solutions…? How about educating students on the ramifications of alcohol poisoning/overdosing? I don’t see either in the article above. However you’re extremely well spoken in the captain obvious category… “Don’t drink and drive” come on guy, no S#%*. Provide help or solutions if you plan on achieving your goal of this article. Which was what again exactly?
I remember when I was a student at CSUS. I had workshops based on a task or assignment. During these workshops we would establish a goal and work towards validating our report. To me it seems like your goal was to bash the Greek system (which I’m not a fan of anyway) and throwing Brett in here was your way of ‘validating’ the article. Hit the drawing board guy, this article was trash….
Annon • Sep 20, 2017 at 12:30 pm
It truly is a sad thing to see, when an organization such as yourself chooses to slander something that already is constantly fighting for truth. We as a Greek community wouldn’t choose such words, comments, or actions as to put your name on an article and speak in such a rude manner. Some may say that you hide behind the desk because you don’t want to receive any retaliation or repercussions for this article, But I think that you hide because you know you were wrong to write such a thing. I have many questions about whoever you are, such as do you even belong to the greek community? Do you have friends in the Greek community? Are you proud? What was this supposed to accomplish? As a person, most likely a student do you even have the right to put out such judgmental words? I think not. I also think that you know very little about the Greek community because if you knew us then you wouldn’t have picked your words so carefully, you wouldn’t have picked out the faults of a few to label the rest. You say to grow up, well I think that it is you who should see that we are growing, not as individuals but as a community. As we unify there will be as you would say a “bad taste” coming to prove you wrong. We are so much more than what you see and I would hope that you would showcase the good points of this community rather that try to cut it down with your cheap words. If you had any real concern about the Greek life it would be to help unify us in times when there is trouble, or people are being hurt, not make us put our fight faces on because we feel that we are being attacked. My last comments would be about your poor judgement on what a Philanthropy means to the Greek community. For many of us its what keeps us at this school, in our sorority or fraternity, and in some cases this is how we choose to be forgiven for our mistakes. We want to protect something that connects with our hearts, and we want to give purpose to our lives. As a person who does get good grades, and wants to have fun, well guess what I’m sorry but I also want to spend time raising money for a good cause. I would much rather spend my time and money saving peoples lives, families, and futures, than raising money to fund a school paper that is just going to attack its students. I hope you are proud and can live with the guilt of hurting the many to feel as though you saved a few that have already been saved. In your next article maybe you will spend more time thinking about the students rather than thinking about that you believe we need to read. As you are obviously very opinionated and so are we, enjoy the endless comments to come and read carefully as you go through them. You may actually learn something.
Aulani Lopes • Sep 20, 2017 at 12:25 pm
Let me ask you a question, are you or have you personally ever been a part of a Greek organization in your lifetime to know what you’re writing about? You want to talk about us beating the stereotype when everything you’ve written is stereotypical notions that have been made about Greek organizations for years. Yes, we party, drink, and make bad decisions but so does every other college student. To question our integrity about helping non-profit organizations based off these actions is just childish. Coming from the philanthropy Chairwoman of Gamma Phi Beta, you have no idea what goes into planning these events to raise a lot of money for people less fortunate. It’s stressful and entails months of planning to ensure these organizations get the best from us but excuse me for having a beer or two to release stress. Besides the fact that your statements are already know facts to have the audacity to drag a deceased member of the Greek communities name through the mud is extremely distasteful. How do you think his family will feel when they read this? He paid for his mistakes but to bring it up months later to remind everyone of the tragedy is a low blow. At least have some respect for his family to keep his name out of the article. You obviously don’t have enough background information to know the entire context of the situation but I will leave you in your ignorance. I am extremely disappointed and disgusted that this article came from our campus, let alone someone that isn’t even involved in the Greek community. I hope next time you decide to speak on behalf of another group of people you get your facts straight. As a writer you should at least do that much.
Patricia Cortina • Sep 20, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Before anything I just want us college educated individuals to recognize what this article is filed under: “Filed under Featured, Opinion / Editorials”. KEY WORD: OPINION.
It is amazing to me that one person, who clearly wasn’t comfortable enough with his/her opinion so remained anonymous, could create such a huge allegations about a community of individuals that are grouped together across the nation.
“Stop pretending charity is your focus.”
FACT: according to NJIT-
Over $7 million is raised each year by Greeks nationally
850,000 hours are volunteered by greeks annually
The Greek system is the largest network of volunteers in the US, with members donating over 10 million hours of volunteer service each year
71% of those listed in “Who’s Who in America” belong to a fraternity
Heres a little more factual information for yah:
There are over 9 million Greek members nationally
In the past five years, more than 100 colleges and universities have opened their doors for the first time to fraternities.
Of the nation’s 50 largest corporations, 43 are headed by fraternity men.
85% of the Fortune 500 executives belong to a fraternity.
40 of 47 U.S. Supreme Court Justices since 1910 were fraternity men.
76% of all Congressmen and Senators belong to a fraternity.
Every U.S. President and Vice President, except two in each office, born since the first social fraternity was founded in 1825 have been members of a fraternity.
63% of the U.S. President’s Cabinet members since 1900 have been Greek.
A National Conference report shows a high percentage of the 4,000 NIC fraternity chapters are above the All-Men’s scholastic average on their respective campuses.
A U.S. Government study shows that over 70% of all those who join a fraternity/sororitiy graduate, while under 50% of all non-fraternity/sorority persons graduate.
Less than 2% of an average college student’s expenses go toward fraternity dues. (U.S. Office of Education)
Over 85% of the student leaders on some 730 campuses are involved in the Greek community.
The first Female Senator was Greek
The first Female Astronaut was Greek
All of the Apollo 11 Astronauts are Greek
SO, while I could go on and on about how this article made me and (I’m sure) other members of the greek community feel, negativity can only be fought through positivity.
EVERYONE makes mistakes. EVERYONE makes poor choices.
JOINING GREEK LIFE IS NEITHER A MISTAKE OR A POOR CHOICE.
I get it, it’s really easy to bash people for the mistakes and “poor” life choices people make, especially the ones that YOU don’t agree with and who could blame you for stooping to the same level every news and media affiliate does by writing about negative opinion based “news” just to create unnecessary problems.
In a world that is filled with so much negativity, I would have expected the State Hornet to rise above. As an alumni, graduate student, and proud sorority member I’m saddened by the fact that you can’t yet realize that we aren’t putting ourselves in the stereotypical bubble society has created…you are.
Patricia Cortina
Melissa Clark • Sep 20, 2017 at 11:41 am
My name is Melissa Clark, I am a third year student at CSU Sacramento, I am heavily involved in Greek life, and I am EXTREMLY disappointed that my campus would allow an article this rude and attacking to be published. Greek life not only at sac state but nationwide is encouraging and inspiring to young men and women everywhere. The students who you wrongly name dropped, are aware of their mistakes from the past, and are dealing with them and only wish to move on. The public attacks Greek life and only want us to become a more positive part of America but what most don’t realize is that it already is. Accroding to a TRUSTED source from USA Today, an article states “According to the most recent National Panhellenic Council 2013-2014 annual report, sorority women from across the nation raised over $5.7 million for philanthropies and reported nearly 1 million hours of community service in the last academic year alone.
Even more impressive is that, in the same time frame, fraternity men in The North American Interfraternity Conference raised $20.7 million for philanthropies and completed 3.8 million hours of community service.”
While this data is slightly outdated, Greek life has only grown since then and only been able to make a bigger impact on the philanthropies that they wish to help.
Our philanthropies are INCREDIBLY important to us, as my family has first hand benefitted off of the philanthropy that my sorority supports.
Greek life has done nothin but help me grow as a young woman, with larger goals and a happier life. While we do have our negative, our positives out weigh them by a lot. We as a Greek community do not wish to attack or harm anyone else, we just ask that you know more about Greek life, before trying to accuse us of something that we simply are not.
Anonymous • Sep 20, 2017 at 11:24 am
Don’t be pissed you didn’t get a bid.
You GDI NF mf
Ben Gooding • Sep 20, 2017 at 11:02 am
Was this written out of hate for the Greek system or something against two individuals. Brett was out of the Greek system for 5 years when he passed and his way of pretending charity was the focus was by being a Marine during and after TKE. Your article doesn’t make any relevant connection to his past time as a Greek member, his life choices, and how he passed. The article makes zero references to other specific issues on a CSU campus related to drinking and the Greek system. Lastly, the article is unable to provide a single recommendation to fix the problems they feel are present. Are State Hornet writers unable to conduct any sound thought process past complaining? Make better decisions about who is allowed to write for you Sac State.
Evan Becker • Sep 20, 2017 at 10:59 am
I am pretty sure being part of the Greek system had nothing to do with that accident. BreTT hadn’t been a part of TKE in over 6 years. Totally incorrect editorial and the State Hornet should be ashamed this was even posted without having its facts straight.
Donald Deaile • Sep 20, 2017 at 10:51 am
As a Sac state alumni and close friend of Brett I find this in very poor taste to include this story as a way to get your point across. I understand the issues at hand but to use this story as a reference point is despicable and the author should be ashamed. Bad move by the hornet for allowing this to be posted.
Brandon Azevedo • Sep 20, 2017 at 10:50 am
Hello to whom wrote this editorial,
My name is Brandon Azevedo a proud member of the Delta Chi Fraternity here of the Sacramento State Chapter. I must say I am extremely disappointed and disrespected by this piece and the slippery slope argument it is attempting to poorly convey. You do not need to be in the Greek community to party, to drink excessively, or to make poor decisions. Using the lives of Alexandra and Brett as a launch point to say that the only values of Sigma Kappa, Tau Kappa Epsilon and the rest of the Greek community is binge drinking and intoxicated driving is an entire disregard and disrespect for their lives and legacy of the work they had done before that tragic event. I make no claim that their decisions were justified that night in anyway however for you to make the claim as well that the Greek community of Sacramento is guilty by association is as much of a ‘slippery slope’ that you claim about the lives of other men and women who were mistreated and lost around the United States. Every member including Alexandra and Brett participated in many community service events and philanthropies to help the local and national community yet there is never a mention of this events except as ‘a curtain to get blacked out behind’.
There is a clear disregard for the gravity of what that event caused for the TKE fraternity as well. For all of Brett’s brother and his friends his life will always be remembered and held in the highest regard as the TKE fraternity lives on his life in their work in re-establishing themselves here on campus. He was the last member needed to graduate from the sanctions placed upon TKE for them to be recognised again on campus and now he is gone because of a tragic incident that happens everyday in our society to all people of all affiliations. TKE from now on will always remember their fallen brother as the dying light of the old chapter that was extinguished for this new chapter to be ushered back onto campus.
So I ask on behalf of myself, my fellow Greek community and those who have been laid to rest to respect the tragedies of lose and acknowledge the work that we all do in the name of good for the community.
Thank you
Tom Carrol • Sep 20, 2017 at 10:29 am
What does any of this have to do with Greek life? Some students who are Greek make poor decisions. Some tudents who aren’t Greek make poor decisions too, what a surprise. Who do you blame then, when there isn’t a whole organization to hold accountable for one person’s actions? Do you just blame the person who made the poor decision, or would that make too much sense?
Unanimous • Sep 20, 2017 at 10:15 am
Behind every curtain is a web of truths and lies.
Perhaps a true journalist wouldn’t hide behind a set of carefully chosen words. Or correlate the actions of a few, to represent the many.
There are no sources, no interviews, nor first hand accounts. It was wise to hide behind your words, but a coward nonetheless.