Editor,
I am writing as a response to the letters of the past week concerning the Greek system at UNM, specifically allegations of wrong doing at Sigma Chi and Sigma Phi Epsilon.
It disturbs me that the general response on the Opinion page has been one of glee that Sigma Chi's charter has been revoked. When a fraternity charter is revoked, it not only reflects poorly on that fraternity, but on the community as a whole. We may not all like each other but it is our school and community.
I certainly don't pretend to know what has gone on at either of these fraternities, but it would be foolish to assume all is well in "Greekland" at UNM. Just the fact that these allegations have surfaced indicates a problem.
Had the members of these fraternities behaved in a manner that is above reproach we wouldn't even be discussing this issue.
If the Greek system at UNM and elsewhere is going to change - and I think we can all agree that some sort of change needs to take place - the change is going to have to come from the men of the fraternities, not from the outside. You shouldn't have to watch "Animal House" too many times to figure out that putting a fraternity on "double - secret probation" is not going to solve the underlying problem.
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From my own fraternity experience, I know that the ideal of the fraternity calls its brothers to a higher standard than other men. The men of the Greek system need to take a long look at themselves and decide where they have both succeeded and failed in living out the virtues valued by their fraternity.
Of course, if the allegations are true - internal, external or both - punishment is deserved, but even if a fraternity is in good standing, these questions still need to be addressed.
I know that the brotherhood of a fraternity can be like no other. The fraternity is a once in a lifetime opportunity for young men to encourage one another and make themselves better people. It is up to these young men to seek higher principles and through that, change for the better will take place.
As for the non-fraternity members, we should also encourage the young men to seek these ideals and our whole community will be a better place.
Dan Trott
Exercise science student
