I’ll take “That’s totally going to happen at a school where 50% of students are Greek affiliated” for 1000 Alex.

The Editorial Board at The Dartmouth writes:

Verbum Ultimum: Abolish the Greek System

As the “Moving Dartmouth Forward” steering committee prepares its recommendations for College President Phil Hanlon and the Board of Trustees, we urge its members to think boldly and keep in mind the College’s history. For too long, we have wavered in fear of declining donation rates or an angry student body. But the time for cowardice is over. Let’s do what needs to be done, the only action in line with our principles of community, and abolish the Greek system.

Students and administrators perpetually worry about our institutional reputation, one marred by the national media’s penchant for an Ivy-League-gone-wild cover story. Many dismiss these depictions as false. But even if Dartmouth’s Greek system were the most inclusive Ivy League social system — which many students believe to be true — young adults still make mistakes. And when we do, Dartmouth’s incredible academic experience and community are reduced to our Greek letters. It’s Dartmouth’s Greek system, they say. What else can we expect?

But our “Animal House” reputation is well-earned. For many, Greek life takes precedence over academics. It is an investment (perhaps a risky one), a path to acceptance, friends, sex, drugs, love and jobs.

Since so many students’ lives seemingly depend on the system, it’s no wonder that administrators have failed to abolish it, despite the numerous accounts of hazing and abuse that have been documented over the years.

Students watched and listened to hazing rituals in a 1994 viewing led by faculty. In 1998, Chi Gamma Epsilon fraternity and Alpha Xi Delta sorority hosted a “ghetto” party. In 2000, a member of Alpha Delta fraternity flung an epithet at a gay student from the house’s porch. In 2001, the Zeta Psi fraternity sex papers were released, which encouraged the rape of a female student. In 2012, Andrew Lohse ’12 of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity revealed that he had to swim in a pool of vomit and semen to become a brother. Just last year, AD and Delta Delta Delta sorority co-hosted a “Blood and Crips”-themed party.

The Greek system undeniably enables and institutionalizes harmful behaviors.