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The Greek system at Cal State Long Beach is probably the most heavily regulated organization on campus. It is mainly due to the high profile of its members and their conduct. Especially the ritual of hazing.
This reputation is usually notorious when based on drinking habits or neighbor complaints about noise. That is not argued.
What is argued is why the fraternities and sororities are striving so hard to follow, and sometimes failing at a specific set of conduct codes to which similar organizations are immune.
All organizations at CSULB must follow the regulations for campus activities, but this set of rules is broadly based and leaves out those with which only the Greeks are forced to contend.
In all realism, the Greek system should be more heavily regulated than other clubs due to its immense size.
The problem arises when other clubs of related size and nature, such as sports teams and non-Inter Fraternity Council fraternities and sororities, are not required to follow the same detailed and organized regulations.
This issue is not so much about one side screaming that they are singled out and the other side claiming exemption from regulation. It is about making sure that if one organization has a set of rules, regardless of nature, then others must abide by those rules as well.
It is well known, despite denials by Greeks, sports teams and even Boy Scouts, that hazing does exist. Hazing, which can range from humiliating tasks to alcohol-induced catastrophes, varies greatly in degrees of interpretation.
At some universities, it has gotten to the point where students are being injured or killed during fraternity hazing rituals. It seems unlikely that anybody would argue the fact that this type of behavior should not be condoned.
So, why is it that sports teams and non-IFC fraternities and sororities on campus are allowed to continue with their hazing rituals. An example would be Alpha Phi Alpha coming on campus in uniform and making their pledges sing and march.
The answer is simple: there is not a set of campus regulations that incorporates the specific rules to all CSULB organizations. Until these groups are more stringently regulated, the code of conduct for IFC fraternities and sororities will continue to be unfair.
Why should the Greeks, who have greatly reduced the incidents of hazing, especially in relation to alcohol, be the only ones to abide by rules that make sense for everybody at CSULB?
The Greeks do not wish to get away with more than other groups, but instead demand that other CSULB organizations similar in size and function get away with less.
Todd Fairbanks is a film major at CSULB.