Over the past few years, Greek life on the Hill was thought to have become a cloistered and taboo relic on the fast track to obscurity. A nationwide decline in recruitment, along with several shameful incidents perpetrated by a host of Tufts fraternities and sororities led many to believe that our Greek system was destined to a slow death. Many chapters in the past decade have skirted the threshold, barely surviving pressure to close down from their national organizations and the Tufts administration.
It wasn't always like this. In the past, fraternities and sororities represented something more than the occasional hosts of weekend blowouts. The Greek community once hosted large campus-wide events, which students and faculty looked forward to. The individual houses spent large amounts of time and money on fundraisers and philanthropy, using their manpower and dues money to help the community and those in need. Fraternities and sororities even used to have faculty mentors and good relationships with professors and deans. In short, wearing letters around campus didn't automatically label someone as a drug dealer, bigot, hazer or womanizer.
While the incidents of the past still linger in our collective memory, Tufts Greeks are taking massive steps to take back their identities under the guidance of Director of Greek Life Patrick Romero-Aldaz. Almost every fraternity and sorority hosts large, highly-publicized philanthropy events, such as Theta Delta Chi's Mustachio Bashio, AOII's Mr. Fraternity contest, and AEPi's Luckiest Run. Each incoming class seems to contain more and more freshmen interested in Greek life and enthusiastic about rushing. Last but not least, the Greek community hosted its largest collective event in recent memory, the inaugural Block Party on Professors Row on Oct. 25.
Meant to serve the Tufts and Medford/Somerville communities, the Block Party featured carnival games, live music and free food for students, staff and our neighbors. Without a doubt, the event was a huge success. More than the cookies decorated at the Alpha Phi booth or the pies thrown at the Theta Chi booth or the pumpkins carved at Sig Ep's booth, the Block Party offered proof that the Greek community is serious about rebuilding its reputation in the eyes of our peers. With a great turnout that is expected to grow each year the event continues, the Block Party proved that we can do positive things and have fun without the help of kegs.
Fraternities and sororities at Tufts will never garner the universal praise they enjoy at southern schools or large state universities. Our unique college culture makes this comparison unfair. But it is possible for Tufts Greeks to become a respected, fully integrated force for good on this campus … and we're getting there.
