Administration too closed minded

The Administration's decision to close down Alpha Phi is an overreaction that shows no regard for the true significance of Greek life on campus, not only to fraternity and sorority members, but also to the student body as a whole. Certainly the behavior of the four Alpha Phi pledges was questionable and colored by poor judgment, but it does not merit the closing of a campus institution.

While the IGC has assured the student body that the Greek system is not in jeopardy, the closing of this sorority house clearly demonstrates the vulnerability of the system to hasty administrative decisions. And the fact that this action has been undertaken twice this semester indicates the serious need for additional staff to provide guidance to fraternity and sorority leaders.

While the Administration may claim to have good reason for closing Alpha Phi, clearly such action would not have been taken if not for the ripple effect caused by the recent closing of Zeta Psi. As an isolated incident there would have been no justification for such an extreme response to an incident in which no one was seriously injured. This is a dangerous trend that needs serious attention from the members of the Greek system.

Surprisingly, the Administration's decision does not appear to hinge on anything specifically Greek, but rather on the fact that students may have been providing alcohol to minors. Yet, haven't most campus organizations (not just those that are Greek) at one point thrown parties where minors consumed alcohol? Fraternities and sororities cannot possibly be the only officially recognized organizations that have purchased alcohol and served it to (appreciative) minors. Alpha Phi appears to have somehow been singled out, since the administration's reasoning indicates that any organization whose members provide alcohol to minors should be temporarily closed for investigation.

The closing of Zeta Psi and Alpha Phi leaves no reason to doubt that the Administration would rather see a Greek-free Tufts. If this is not the case, then the Dean of Students office needs to provide a concrete plan for reviving and enhancing sororities and fraternities on campus. Closing down houses left and right is not the way to create an active and productive Greek system; it's more of a lazy way out.