Editor,
Yes, it is very true that the actions and behavior of a single individual can ruin the reputation of a fraternity chapter, but Betsabel Roman's finger-pointing in her letter in Wednesday's issue of the Daily Lobo was a little harsh.
I agree that taping a swastika to a student's car was ridiculous, and Sigma Chi did get the punishment it deserved. But for the most part, the remaining members of Sigma Chi from UNM and from several chapters across this country are gentlemen.
College students at every campus in America - Greek or independent - make bad choices and do stupid things. Just look at the lacrosse team from Duke University - I doubt they are tarnishing the name of their sport in all sectors of the United States, nor the name of Duke University.
I am also wondering why Roman decided to single out Sigma Chi. Why is everyone, students and the administration, paying so much attention to Sigma Chi after the fact?
Are we forgetting about the issues over the years with Lambda Chi Alpha or Sigma Alpha Epsilon at UNM? Call me crazy, but I think sexual assault is a hell of a lot more serious than a swastika on someone's car.
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Furthermore, on a national level, Sigma Chi isn't the only fraternity that has a wild streak. And think about it: The dynamics of deviance that surround fraternity life have nothing to do with the fraternity itself, but with putting a bunch of males together in any arena.
I am offended by those who think this behavior is specific to fraternity life, or Sigma Chi, for that matter.
In addition, I think labeling the entire organization as racist is a bit of a stretch.
I can tell you that the majority of those men are not, and I find it ironic that argument came from someone who is representing organizations that empower one race by segregating it from others. Don't you think the fraternity name Black Greeks is racist? Naming a fraternity "White Greeks" would be. But there aren't race-specific Greeks at UNM because our Panhellenic and Interfraternity chapters welcome individuals from all walks of life.
Sigma Chi was no exception.
As a Greek myself, I know that reputations vary from chapter to chapter from campus to campus. Heck, reputations even change at UNM year after year.
I do wish that people would think about what it is they are representing and expected to live up to before making their choices, and it is truly unfortunate when they do not.
But give Sigma Chi a break. Many men were punished because of the actions of few, and all have served their time.
There are many people at UNM who will be happy to welcome them back on campus.
Amanda Foor
UNM student
