An Open Letter to Texas A&M University’s
Department of Student Affairs and Greek Life Office
It has come to the attention of former Aggie Greek students that on November 10, 2010, the Texas A&M Department of Greek Life (the “University”) issued a moratorium (the “Moratorium”) on all Greek social and recruiting activities.
While the University’s reasons for the Moratorium are not entirely clear, they appear to be based on a handful of allegations involving a small number of students as well as general complaints of poor attendance at University-sponsored initiatives.
While we recognize the University’s frustrations, we are deeply concerned that the blanket Moratorium is arbitrary in that it applies to all Greek students, taints the reputation of all Greek Life, and lowers the morale of all Greek members. The Moratorium discourages leadership within individual chapters and punishes those whose conduct had nothing to do with the University’s litany of grievances.
We hereby call on the University to lift the Moratorium.
We hereby request that University issue a report on the circumstances under which it made the decision to issue the Moratorium.
We hereby demand significant and meaningful Aggie Greek former student involvement in the development of the University’s proposed “Task Force Charge to Aggie Greek Standards”.
We know first hand the great promise of Greek Life - we have lived it and are more successful for it. Our common experience is one of friendship in its truest, lifelong form, and one of social, philanthropic, and leadership opportunities unparalleled in other student organizations at Texas A&M University. We are proud of our Aggie Greek background and have found it to be a basis of our success as we’ve experienced life beyond College Station. We trust that the University will join our efforts to ensure the unique Aggie Greek experience lives as a proud tradition for current and future generations of Aggies.
Sincerely,
Concerned Former Students
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ReplyDeleteBy all means, please contact us with more information. Also, please use our Facebook page to communicate!
ReplyDeleteSpecific examples of behaviors of Aggie Greeks that led to this Moratorium:
Increase in credible hazing reports, alcohol related incidents and individual harassment cases (more than any recent semesters over the past few years)
Poor attendance at required recognition events
Lack of commitment to organization policies and rules
Institutions such as Purdue University, Clemson University and Cornell have instituted moratoriums such as the one implemented by the Department of Greek Life
The Department of Greek Life works closely with the chapter and council leadership (close to 70 Aggie Greek student leaders). And while our communication and rapport with these leaders has progressed positively, the communication with our more than 3,300 Greek students has not progressed as well. Our student leaders have made great strides but still struggle to adequately communicate these issues to the Aggie Greek community as a whole.
For the safety and security of our Aggie Greeks, we’ve put in place the Moratorium. This is by no means any attempt to eliminate Greek Life at Texas A&M. Again, this is by no means any attempt to eliminate Greek Life at Texas A&M. It is for the safety and security of our fellow brothers and sisters.
If you would like more information, please let me know. As a staff, we are working very hard to ensure we have a vibrant and safe community that LIVES THEIR VALUES.
Nick Zuniga
Assistant Director
nickz@tamu.edu
(We would like for Zeus to take off the photo of Ann Goodman on the Web site. This is a copyrighted Texas A&M image.)
Could the concerned Former Students please provide those of us that have spent countless volunteer hours working with this community their list of action items as advisors, mentors, and involved alumni? In short what have you done to help stop the hazing, alcohol abuse, medical emergencies, unsafe and unhealthy activities? It will take a community to change this behavior and i beleive it can be changed - I for one believe that this community needs support and guidance from alumni not just staff ( BTW if you were engaged you would know all of the advocacy this community has received from the staff.) - An engaged alumni of the Aggie Greek Community
ReplyDeleteKarma sucks... I've heard horrible things about these greeks and I'm happy that the administration has finally taken the to task.
ReplyDeleteWell "Dumb", I've actually seen horrible things going on in the Corps and at Bonfire. When will the administration take them to task on their out of control hazing?
ReplyDeleteDick Zuniga, shut the hell up. Your version of a fraternity or sorority is not a good one.
ReplyDeletezuniga is the worst representation of a&m to ever exist despite the fact he graduated from ball state. ball
ReplyDelete