Recognize greek groups' philanthropic contributions

As a woman in the greek community, I am disappointed by both Eric Mlyn’s address at Greek Convocation and The Chronicle’s coverage of the event. Both the speech and the article chose to bury the genuinely good work done by greek groups on campus underneath accusations of selfishness and poisoning campus culture.

Even after four council presidents detailed the tens of thousands of dollars raised and thousands of hours contributed by greek students, Dr. Mlyn could only seem to focus on the underrepresentation of greek men in DukeEngage and their supposed instrumentalism and selfishness. The overrepresentation of greek women in DukeEngage was barely mentioned in his speech and in The Chronicle’s coverage. Apparently, the contributions of greek women don’t matter nearly as much as the supposed failings of greek men. Do greek women not deserve mention unless we are being victimized by men or villainized as empty-headed?

DukeEngage is only one method of community service, and there are many reasons why a student might decide not to travel abroad to contribute. Some students may decide to work at a more local level. It is unfair to make generalizations about the characters of thousands of students based on participation in one program.

Greek groups routinely contribute to philanthropic organizations without outside pressure or rewards. In fact, the greek council presidents revealed highly ambitious service goals for all greek organizations on campus just after Dr. Mlyn’s speech. These new goals came solely from the collaboration of greek leaders, not from the finger-wagging of an administrator. And yet they were mentioned nowhere in The Chronicle’s coverage of the event.

It is always easier to assign blame than give credit, and greek groups are an easy target. But it is particularly galling to be accused of self-centeredness at an event focused on the service we do of our own free will. I expected better of Dr. Mlyn, and I expect better of the reporters at The Chronicle.

Alyssa Fowers, Trinity ’13

Social Vice-President, Psi Upsilon Fraternity