This past Friday, fraternities and sororities from all four Greek councils took part in "Comfort Zone," an event that includes philanthropic work as well as social interaction. This is the second year that Comfort Zone has run, and several more fraternities and sororities have been drawn into the event this year. Comfort Zone is a great idea, but it is only a small step in the direction of fostering diversity and interaction between the many cultures that make up our University. The fraternities and sororities that founded and have participated in Comfort Zone should be applauded for their efforts, but having such an event twice a semester is not enough to reach the goals they are striving for through this program.
Recent occurrences such as last week's joint Griot Society and Black Student Alliance protest of The Cavalier Daily, and the creation of Sustained Dialogue in reaction to problems with race relations as an open and confidential forum for students, highlight the void that exists between the many cultures here at the University.
The facts also indicate the apparent self-segregation that marks the environment of the Greek systems. There are few members of non-Caucasian ethnicity in the Inter-Sorority Council and Inter-Fraternity Council, and equally few Caucasian members in the fraternities or sororities covered by the jurisdiction of the Black Fraternal Council or Multicultural Greek Council.
No amount of data, however, will conclusively point to the causes for this disparity in Greek integration. A likely reason, though, is the inherent differences in culture and latent stereotypes respective to each of the four Greek councils. The discrepancy in cultural backgrounds from students at the University often stems from their life experiences. Even though the University is a great place to break through these previous barriers to inter-ethnic interaction, it is not a substitute for years of knowledge about the intricacies of each culture. Students will tend to congregate among the societies they feel comfortable in. Hence, the four Greek councils may not see many changes in the demographics of their member societies in the near future.
The more serious issue is that of stereotypes. Many students subconsciously stereotype Greek organizations according to preconceived images. For example, IFC houses are usually linked to imagery of alcohol, debauchery and dirty living a la "Animal House." Whether this is the case for some houses is not important. Rather, to immediately assume that every constituent house of the IFC is like the description above is wrong.
Such stereotypes may be the main basis for the lack of interaction between the different Greek councils. Unfortunately, unless given a chance to dispel such pigeonholed preconceptions by means of social relations, the inherent stereotypes will not be dispelled.
Tragically, most of the fraternities and sororities here suffer from a lack of interethnic contact. Although there may be some cultural differences between specific houses, there are many more similarities. The members of the four Greek systems at the University all share similar goals. They all endeavor to promote brother or sisterhood and engage in service activities. And, of course, they all enjoy having fun. By not mingling with Greek houses of other cultures, Greeks at the University are missing out on good times, new friends and several opportunities for new experiences.
Comfort Zone is a good first step in fostering better relations among the different Greek cultures. However, the problem is so big that this event is not nearly enough to resolve the lack of interaction between the different councils. The fraternities and sororities involved must use that event as a stepping stone in planning more social events with houses of other Greek councils. In addition, the houses that strive to improve race relations in the Greek arena should give further impetus to other fraternities and sororities that have not been as proactive in trying to get to know the brothers and sisters of other Greek societies. They must try to be the connecting links for these houses, as such networking will better the relations of all Greeks on Grounds. The effort put into getting to know houses of different Greek councils today will mean more inter-council interaction in the near future.
(Alex Rosemblat's column appears
Wednesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at arosemblat@cavalierdaily.com.)
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