Opinion: Northwestern Should Dismantle All Greek Life Except for Tri Delt and ZBT
As we once again head into winter rush season, many Northwestern students hear the same outcries against greek life. The administration may try to skirt around this issue, but I believe we must truly reckon with the destructive consequences that Greek life has had on this campus. And when looking at all aspects of the problem, it becomes crystal clear:
Northwestern must ban all of Greek life effective immediately, with the exception of course, of Zeta Beta Tau and Delta Delta Delta.
There’s no two ways about it. Fraternities are inherently patriarchal systems, and the Greek housing system is designed to give men leverage over women, except of course for ZBT, which is super woke. In the wake of the SAE allegations of last year, we all must address how the fraternity system can lead to increased instances of sexual assault and harassment. On the other hand, ZBT has only had like, a few instances of sexual assault. So that, like, barely counts.
The sorority system also, of course, has serious issues. Many women have described sorority rush as a pressure-cooker that aims to make women feel self-conscious about their bodies and personality, with the exception of the girls in Tri Delt, who are all super chill. Women who rush these sororities are forced to fit themselves to certain stereotypes-- outside of Tri Delt, which doesn’t really have a stereotype. All of them are just kind of doing their own thing, you know?
The social dues for both fraternities and sororities is a huge issue that is simply not talked about on this campus, besides of course, at the intellectual smoke seshes at ZBT and Tri Delt. The fact that you must pay thousands of dollars per quarter to join these elite organizations is absurd classism, and trust me, ZBT and Tri Delt members also think that’s total bullshit.
A groundbreaking study last year found that only 54 of the 2,628 students in Greek life were black. That’s a huge issue. Diversity within Northwestern Greek Life is practically non-existent, outside of ZBT, where you can find people from a wide range of backgrounds, including sons of executives, doctors, lawyers, and just regular old heirs. And while many sororities are guilty of a lack of diversity, in Tri Delt you can find PWild counselors, former PWild counselors, and even people who were just PWild campers.
White privilege is something ZBT and Tri Delt are definitely aware of. And they’re willing to have as many conversations about how aware they are of white privilege as it takes to get the issue more awareness.
As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I think the way that fraternities and sororities have created a heteronormative system clearly designed to benefit cis opposite-sexed couples is disgusting-- except for ZBT, where you can invite anyone you want to boat date if you really want. And the girls who are in Tri Delt are best friends with so many white gay guys-- so trust me, they, like, get it.
Just because Greek life is allowed to hide behind the guise of small amounts of “philanthropy” doesn’t mean they should be able to do whatever they want on campus. ZBT, a real charitable organization, donates Brewbike cold brew to the campus for only the low price of $4 a cup. And Tri Delt gives back by inviting their friends to BFL. Why can’t all greek organizations be like Tri Delt and ZBT?
To the administration, we are asking you to please take a stand to the majority of these organizations and show them that you are unwilling to make exceptions to this kind of behavior-- with a few exceptions of course. Then hopefully, we can create a better world, where ZBT and Tri Delt would combine to create some sort of Co-Ed Super Frat (like a Frat Voltron). But if we can’t get to that point, I hope that maybe, just maybe, I can be invited to Tri Delt crush this year. Because I have a sick costume.
*Additional reporting by Clint Taurus
