MTV's reality-based TV shows "Fraternity Life" and "Sorority Life" have touched off a firestorm of controversy on college campuses across the country including UNM, whose Greek community believes the shows provide an inaccurate portrayal of Greek life.
The impact is also being felt within the business community, said Jim Levi, national sales director of Greek101.com, a leading provider of fraternity and sorority apparel that recently severed its relationship with the TV network due to what it says is the promotion of negative stereotypes.
"For us, Greek life is synonymous with forging lifelong relationships, giving back to the community through service and philanthropy, fostering leadership abilities and having good, clean fun," Levi said.
He added that the company cannot condone the acts portrayed in the shows, which are unethical and borderline unlawful.
"Greek101.com has always believed in the importance of celebrating the many good works performed by fraternities and sororities throughout the country. As a result of what we believe is an inaccurate portrayal of Greek life, we feel that we can no longer, in good conscience, continue to provide our products to the two shows," Levi said.
Jenny French, member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and president of UNM's Panhellenic Council, said the shows unfairly focus on the social aspect of Greek life and neglect other important components.
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"MTV's shows portray the Greek system in a negative light," said French.
She added that while there are no plans at UNM to voice the unanimous disapproval of the shows' content, the national panhellenic conference that oversees national sororities has sent a letter to MTV addressing the issue.
Representatives from MTV could not be reached Monday for comment. The network does not have any statements regarding the content of the two shows on its Web site.
French said that if the shows continue to promote negative stereotypes regarding Greek and college life in general, UNM's Greek community will take every measure to prevent any collateral damage on campus.
"These shows negatively impact Greeks everywhere, but as long as we can educate people about the truth of the Greek system, there should not be any long-term implications," French said.
Brett Radmin, co-founder of Greek101.com, said that MTV's "Fraternity Life" and "Sorority Life" program's purport to show Greek life at a typical sorority and fraternity, but instead often focuses on students' underage drinking, hazing and other forms of inappropriate and sometimes criminal behavior.
Radmin said before the company entered its relationship with MTV 18 months ago, it questioned the scope and nature of the shows and were assured that they would most certainly seek to highlight the wholesome, philanthropic activities for which the Greek system is well known.
He said Greek101.com will no longer provide apparel to the shows' participants and at its request MTV removed its name from the shows' credits. Additionally, Radmin said, the company is seeking to have an anti-hazing organization's logo appear in its place.
He added that concerned students and administrators on college campuses have voiced their displeasure and concern on Internet message boards, with some saying that they would boycott or refuse to purchase products featured on the shows in disapproval of their content.
Josh Parsons, president of UNM Interfraternity Council, said that the media often air what is most appealing to its audience regardless of accuracy, in this case, focusing on illegal acts that UNM's Greek community takes every measure to prevent.
"Here at UNM, Greeks work tremendously hard to set community standards and maintain in good standings within the larger community," Parsons said, adding that while the Interfraternity council has discussed the shows' content, he is unaware of any plans to voice its disapproval of it.
"While these shows may be good for ratings, they promote harmful stereotypes for younger generations preparing to enter college and considering joining a fraternity or sorority," he said. "If taken seriously, these shows could promote a system that would undermine the hard work and pride that we have all invested in the Greek system."
