University of Virginia Library

Goals Emerge

And common goals emerge from
the spirit of betterment. Some
houses stress scholarship, and a few
are often in the top five (the
all-fraternity men's average annually
tops the all-men's average at
the University). Others devote
much time to community service:
some fraternities have parties for
local children, others have been to
Nelson County to help in flood
reconstruction. The IFC urges all
fraternities to contribute both to
their brothers' academic life and to
the community's needs; and most
houses respond well.

One fraternity problem is, as
critics claim, with racial discrimination.
Under the blackball system
few houses will accept Black
members at present, although the
IFC is attempting to deal with that
problem. It is a trend that will have
to change, but I fully expect that
the classes entering most fraternities
within the next few years (and
even now) will prove to be even
more open-minded than the critics
who prophesy doom.

In short, fraternities exist for
people, and they reflect their
members. No chutzpah can cover
up the personalities of its members,
which vary within houses and
widely from one to another. A
rushee or first-year man should see
what each fraternity can offer him
before deciding, for the rewards of
membership are great for him who
chooses well. The most informed
student at the University cannot
tell a rushee whether or not he
should pledge, for that is his choice
depending on what type of house
he prefers.

Narrow-minded people will say
"Don't rush," emphasizing the
supposed "inhumane" aspects of
fraternities. They are self-defeating,
urging a better system while telling
everyone to cop out. Fraternities
have many worthwhile values, and
have some problems, but they offer
an individual more fulfillment at
this University than he is likely to
get otherwise, and should not be
lightly regarded. Every first-year
man should weigh the real facts and
meet the people himself before
deciding whether to join; he should
not be bullied into passivity by the
ballyhoo of opposition..