FOR THE first time in recentmemory, a reasonable decision involving race was made at the University. Last week, the historically black Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity left the Black Fraternal Council and joined the Inter-Fraternal Council, an umbrella organization whose resources and operating procedures better fit Alpha Phi Alpha's needs and ambitions. In short, students made a decision based on logic rather than outdated conceptions of racial boundaries -- a refreshing idea in a community where students and administrators alike stubbornly insist on perpetuating beliefs that absurdly differentiate people by the color of their skin. We can only hope that others follow suit.
Alpha Phi Alpha officers reported that the move was strictly pragmatic. The only historically black fraternity with a house, Alpha Phi Alpha will be able to save money and gain infrastructural support as an IFC affiliate. The fraternity can now take advantage of the student-run "party patrol" system rather than pay for police security at parties.
But, as Alpha Phi Alpha Secretary Cameron Webb explained to The Cavalier Daily, the biggest opportunity the IFC offers is "to be part of a Greek community -- not just a black Greek community."
Indeed, members of every Greek group on Grounds have a great deal in common with one another. They face the challenge of operating large-scale social and philanthropic organizations amidst the rigors of an intense academic environment and heavy-handed institutional regulation. Preemptively distancing themselves from one another because of race is nothing short of ludicrous.
And yet the Greek organizations at the University are for the most part fractured along "cultural" lines. Not only do a slew of Greek organizations cater to specific racial, ethnic and sexual groups, but these groups have separated themselves into governing councils that further divide them. The Black Fraternal Council and the Multicultural Greek Council stand in contrast to the larger IFC and the Inter Sorority Council, which are perceived of as predominantly white.
The Greek councils hold that more than race, ethnicity and sexuality distinguishes member organizations. While the IFC and ISC are predominantly composed of groups with houses and social agendas, most BFC and MGC groups do not run private residences and are smaller organizations with different missions. This is often cited as the rationale for distinct governing councils.
However, neither the BFC nor the MGC named their organization the "Non-Residential Greek Council" or the "Service-Oriented Greek Council." These umbrella organizations are in name and in spirit based on the racial and ethnic makeup of member organizations.
As BFC Co-Chair Brandon Green explained, the BFC and MGC "offer organizations a support group focused on minority concerns." And while this is a very reasonable consideration, race should not be the ultimate factor in a deciding a group's affiliation.
Members of the BFC and MGC have repeatedly shown interest in achieving positions in the University community similar to those occupied by IFC and ISC groups. The BFC, for example, has long sought to procure houses for member organizations. Moreover, BFC and MGC groups frequently rent out IFC houses in order to hold stereotypical frat parties. Greek organizations of all sorts have clearly appropriated more than just the Greek letter names of the traditional fraternity and sorority scene.
And why not? It seems perfectly reasonable that any student group would want to offer what IFC and ISC groups do: cheap housing and meal plans and an accessible social space.
Unfortunately, the sentiment that race, ethnic background and sexuality necessarily differentiate students often gets in the way. In reality, many groups that aspire to offer an experience with all the accoutrement of an IFC or ISC membership would likely be better served as members of those organizations. And there is no reason the IFC or the ISC would not be receptive to such an effort.
In an interview, IFC President David Bowman noted that Alpha Phi Alpha's forward-looking vision was one of the most important points of its successful bid for membership. There is no reason why any Greek organization -- in any stage of development -- does not have similar potential. And what better support system could a growing organization ask for than an association of groups long familiar with the trials and tribulations of operating Greek societies on Grounds?
This is not to say that all Greek organizations must join the IFC or ISC. But, every group should objectively consider what umbrella organization best suits its needs without feeling limited by race, ethnicity or sexuality.
Both Alpha Phi Alpha and the IFC governing council proved that objective, rational action is possible at the University, undeterred by society's inane obsession with race. Students ought to look at such examples of clear-mindedness and cultural intelligence for guidance, and ignore the cacophony of prejudiced, anachronistic ideals proffered by administrators and misguided evangelists. If, like Alpha Phi Alpha, other University groups began to look past race and focus on their own best interests and the benefits of a unified community, we just might make some progress -- together.
Nick Chapin's column appears Tuesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at nchapin@cavalierdaily.com.
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