tl19890914-000 "Vol. 84 No. 2The ""Required Reading"" September 14, 1989 OVVer1.1 Published weekly by the students of Towson State University, Towson THE NEW TRAPITION Greeks scrutinize pledging practices, focus on image by Michael Raymond Editor-in-Chief 177 is special to most Americans as the birthyear of the na-tion's independence. For members of Greek-letter organizations�fraternities and sororities�however, the date has an extra significance. Phi Beta Kappa, the first American Greek-letter society, was also a child of 1776. Born of undergraduate frustration with the narrow academic guidelines and repressed social atmosphere of Wil-liam and Mary, PBK was dedicated to the jovial pursuit of extracurricular learn-ing. The fraternity's founding initiated the bloom of a subculture that continues to thrive on the campus and beyond, claiming membership in the millions, and boasting of disproportionate repre-sentation among positions of influence. Despite their vast resources and a record of high achievement, however, secret societies have drawn constant controversy. At various times issues of race, faculty intervention, sexual harass-ment, and alcohol abuse have haunted a membership that claims scholarship and philanthropy as primary interests. And as the fraternal system faces a skeptical contemporary public, Greek activities are increasingly self-conscious in focus-ing on community service and fund-raising, and a comprehensive theme of ""human dignity"" has emerged to im-prove the image of traditionally troubled rituals such as pledging. In light of ongoing public concern about pledge treatment, Greeks have been quick to admit to trouble within the system as a whole, but rarely have cited their own individual groups. Recently, however, two national fraternities have moved to eliminate pledging altogether. Zeta Beta Tau and Tau Kappa Epsilon, the largest social fraternity in North America, both voted to discontinue pledge status for new members this year. The move has met generally poor reviews by other national fraternities, and was initially resisted by some ZBT and TKF, members, but these two groups may be only the first of many Greek organiza-tions to change the way prospective members are treated. Danny Seigal, president of Syracuse University's ZBT chapter, says, ""Even-tually all fraternities will go this way. In a few years no one will know what pledging is because it will have ended. That's the only way fraternities will survive into the 21st century."" Under the ZBT program, pledges will become brothers 72 hours after receiving a bid from the fraternity. Then they will MI) 21204 Nit NIA enter an ongoing educational program. In addition, there will be a semi-annual brotherhood review to make sure mem-bers are living up to the requirements. ""Rush is going to be more intense,"" says Danny Pardo, a ZBT from San Diego State. ""We are going to look more closely at the individual, what he's done in the past."" ""You can't just pay your dues and be a brother,"" adds Seigal. Representatives of both TKE and ZBT admit their decision imposes a sudden, radical change on a system of strong See GREEKS cbi L_ page 14 INSIDE New visitors policy in effect. WCVT to alter format. Korean exchange finalized. Campus violence: ""facts"" vs. truth. Page 2 Football, soccer, cross country, tennis, volleyball, baseball and golf. Page 6 Schaefer's is OPEN. Russian dancers to arrive Tuesday. Subarctic diary. sex, lies and videotape. Page 12 P Letters to the editor. Eulogy for Mickey Leland. Sacred Symbols. Page 18 pitCa.f in "
