Friday, January 12. 1968
UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
7
Individual needs confront Greek system
By Ted Bell
By Ted Bell Kansan Staff Reporter
Editor's note: This is the second of a two-part series on social organizations.)
A noticeable change is evident in the average American's attitude toward the organizations to which he belongs, and, in turn, in the organizations' attitudes toward their members.
The relationship now seems to be more intellectual in nature, with less emphasis on ritual, secrecy and institutionalism. More attention is now directed to the individual member — and his mind.
The 60 national social fraternities with their 4,000-plus chapters scattered throughout the campuses of the country's colleges and universities, are feeling the effects of this change in attitude.
In an April 8, 1966, article, "Frats In The Fire," Time magazine noted: "College fraternities have been fading in influence ever since World War II's returning GIs failed to blush when not rushed. Critics of fraternites contend they are anachronistic because today's college students tend to be serious about scholarship, scoff at any pretensions to status, consider secret rituals for Klans or kids, resist togetherness, and applaud all moves toward individual equality."
The Greek system at KU also is feeling the pinch.
Fraternity membership here, as well as nationally, is up, and the number of chapters is rising; but statistics have shown the percentage of students who join
Greek societies on a national scale is shrinking steadily.
Each fall rush at KU boasts a record number of freshmen participating and pledging. Yet while the percentage of new students signing up for the rounds of soda pop and handshakes at KU has increased 2.1 per cent, the percentage of rush participants among new students nationally has decreased.
At the same time, junior and senior Greeks are packing up their toothbrushes to taste independence and their own cooking in increasing numbers—the latest figures show an increase of 10 to 23 per cent—filling the complexes of a booming apartment business.
The men say the opportunity for independence, the lack of time schedules and the chance to live by their own rules are too inviting to pass up.
One active who recently moved out of his house said: "I need the time to be my mfs; to go where I please without having to pay fines. I'm finding it increasingly
hard to live with the narrow-mindedness and the concentration on social image."
Recent local articles such as the one criticizing hazing and the limiting of intellectual and social freedom in the December issue of the University Review, and calling for changes and reviews in the Nov. 29 edition of the Greek Column, are appearing with increasing frequency.
"Fraternities add nothing to the intellectual experience of college. In fact, by their outmoded attitudes and practices, they often hinder it," said the University Review article.
It continued: "Like any other highly structured organization, fraternities tend to limit the creativity and originality, in conduct and outlook, of their members."
Most of the national offices and campus and national interfraternity councils have begun to realize their situation, and are showing signs of a desire to do something about it.
At Rutgers 10 of the 27 houses
Applied music finals brief
How would you like to have a ten minute final?
Sounds great—but there's a catch.
Applied music finals, which average ten minutes in length, are taken before a jury of six professors and the students' grade is determined by a secret ballot.
Unlike written finals mistakes
can't be corrected—it is very difficult to erase a wrong note.
All applied music majors who are taking private lessons must take these finals except for seniors who have completed their senior recital requirement.
The KU chapter of Project Concern, sponsored by the Board of Class Officers, is asking students to donate their blue rebate slips from the Kansas Union Bookstore.
Project asks for blue rebate slips
Donations from Kansas college campuses will be used to build a pediatrics center in DaMpao, South Vietnam.
Dave Keesling, Herington junior and chairman of Kansas Col-
legiates for Concern, said volunteers will collect rebate slips in KU living groups sometime after enrollment for the spring semester.
Music majors do have one slight advantage because they know what will be on their final—they prepare their own repertoire.
Project Concern is a medical relief organization which has built clinics in Mexico, South Vietnam and Hong Kong. Kansas Collegiate for Concern hopes to raise $400,000 for the DaMpao project.
A young lass named Mary from Gary Had looks that were quite ordinary But boyfriends galore Beat a path to her door Cause out of Schlitz-never was Mary.
Most fraternities have dropped "white clauses" from their constitutions. Some never had them.
now have Negro members. Three years ago, Sigma Chi at Stanford lost its chapter status after pledging a Negro.
At KU the Interfraternity See Greeks. page 8
For example, freshman and sophomore voice majors must prepare four songs and perform two selected by the jury. Junior and senior voice majors must prepare six songs and are asked to do three.
Besides playing what they've prepared, woodwind majors may be asked to sightread a new piece as part of their final.
© 1967 Jos. Schiltz Brewing Co., Milwaukee and other cities,
For
Complete
Automobile
Insurance
Gene Doane
Agency
824 Mass. St.
GAYMODE $ ^{\textcircled{2}} $ SHOWS UP ON CAMPUS WITH A NEW SPORTY LOOK!
Buy a seasons worth of these Pennneys sport casuals styled by our Gaymode $ ^{\circledast} $ sanitized for lasting freshness. This classic slipon sports smooth burgundy uppers, Neolite $ ^{\circledast} $ heel and toplift. Sizes 4-10.
$7.99
Like It? Charge It!
Open Monday
& Thursday
till 9:00 p.m.