~ FDO P H I D E LTA T H E TA UPDATE
Students, for instance, played a vital role in determining the response to a recent situation. On October 24, 2011, the student Greek Life Judicial Board found Delta Delta Delta responsible for violating Union’s alcohol and hazing policies earlier that month. The matter then went to the Administrative Hearing Panel, which recommended sanctions. Tri-Delta is now on probation until fall 2013. “Peer-to-peer regulation has made gatherings safer and it’s kept organizations on their toes. It’s also made my job easier because the students serve as authority figures to their peers, and this cleared the way for me to build a more productive relationship with chapters that is supportive,” Dunn said. “It’s also allowed me to bridge the gap between Greeks and the administration. The ‘us against them’ sentiment that existed before my position was created has disappeared.”
As a Greek alumna, Loeb knows from personal experience that what Dunn says is true. “Once upon a time, certain Greeks may have earned the negative reputation, but the difference today is that we are far too educated about the dangers of partying—and unsafe pledging practices too,” she said. “Timothy has done an excellent job working with us, discussing tragedies that have occurred across the nation, and being our number one advocate. He’s given us the tools to do things right and depends on us to use them, which we do.” Another reason Dunn calls into the question the bingedrinking stereotype is that the vast majority of Greeks are very dedicated to their studies and the social and civic responsibilities of all organizations they belong to. Cumulative GPAs for chapters range from 3.47 to 2.72, with the average across the 751-member Greek system being 3.1.
“Alpha Delta Phi has been offering academic scholarships to members each term since 1999, the same year it developed an annual campus literary competition,” Shore said. “We have since added ‘dinner and a prof’ programs, which provide opportunities for our members, and also non-members, to converse and dine with faculty in social settings.” Similarly, the Interfraternity Council last year launched Alternative Late Night Events for students who want a different social experience. “Each fraternity takes a weekend to hold a dry event during prime party time. Trivia and karaoke are favorites so far,” Dunn explained. “The initiative is continuing this year since the events were so well-attended.” Greek gatherings don’t just offer Union students something fun to do on Friday and Saturday nights, though. They also contribute to the College’s inclusive environment.
As expiration of Phi Delta Theta’s 99-year land lease for its chapter house approaches, College and fraternity leaders have been working together to determine how best to proceed after the property reverts back to Union ownership in April 2013. The 1175 Lenox Road property will not be used as a fraternity house or student residence once ownership is transferred. But because of the house’s historic importance to Phi Delta Theta, the College is committed to preserving it and identifying a strategic use for it, Stephen Leavitt and Philip Boyce said in a joint letter to alumni recently. Leavitt is dean of students and vice president of Student Affairs, Boyce is president of the Phi Delta Theta Club of Schenectady. Phi Delta Theta brothers will remain at 1175 Lenox Road through Aug. 1, 2013, after which time they will move to a new home that will be selected mutually by the chapter and the College. Several promising locations are under discussion and a decision is expected by the end of this academic year. The overall goal of this process is to ensure Phi Delta Theta continues its long record of success at Union, and that the brothers have a home that meets their needs. For more information, contact Boyce at phil@pdtunion.org.
Winter 2012 UNION COLLEGE
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