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University. Daily Kansan Monday, March 12. 1956.
LITTLE MAN ON CAMPUS by Dick Bibler
Fraternities Lose Basis For Existence
Following the death of a freshman during a traternity hazing last month, the interfraternity council of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology outlawed hazing and other traditional fraternity practices.
But what happens when these traditions are eliminated from the fraternity training? What does the fraternity have to base its training on once it is forced to dislodge its traditional activities from the hallowed halls?
Not that hazing is acceptable at any time, but with the loss of tradition, fraternities have little modern-day value. Why attempt to train a high school yearling on a system that is being constantly revised to meet modern acceptability?
The MIT council outlawed fraternity hazing, not because school authorities wanted it that way, but the fraternities wanted to protect and maintain their own being at the school.
Times have changed for the value of fraternities. They are no longer tradition-backed institutions. They are being forced more and more to rely on public pressure—pressure from people who have never been Greeks or who were never indoctrinated thoroughly into Greek activities.
A vast majority of national fraternities are built on traditions established during the fraternity's life-time. Their training of pledges is based on tradition—the time-tested method of making a fraternity man out of a high school yearling.
Such is the fate of the fraternity today. In order to survive, all fraternities at all colleges and universities are having to outlaw traditions inherent in each group.
With the introduction of deferred rushing into fraternity life, all semblance of a challenge is being cut away from the fraternities. By the time they get a hold of a kid, he has already had one year in college and has a pretty good idea of what college life is all about. Fraternities stand little chance with "Freddy Freshman."
Fraternities are losing the aspect of being given the challenge of carving a man out of the unmolded, pimply-faced kid who just graduated from high school—commonly called "High School Harry."
But the biggest problem to fraternity existence is the matter of financial ability. Today's fraternities are beginning to experience tightened belts and budgets.
They are no longer able to afford the lavish parties of by-gone days. They can no longer say truthfully that they can afford to construct the homecoming decorations all the alums like to see.
For the fraternities at the University of Kansas, the financial situation is not good. Some fraternities are operating in the red; others are operating on a hand-to-mouth existence, with only a few really financially stable.
In order to meet the increasing budgets of the houses, the fraternities here are forced to take men for their "house bill," and that is all. If the fraternities didn't need the money, they never would have taken the new pledges.
With the increasing student population at KU, it is felt that the University will begin purchasing the fraternity houses and turning them into dormitories for students. Instead of spending vast sums on new dormitories, the University could easily transform the purchased houses into dormitories to house more students.
In their drive for new members, the fraternities are meeting a growing opposition. Not as many men are willing to give up their "independent status" to become fraternity members. Consequently, the fraternities are forced to take any man who shows the slightest gleam in his eye for fraternity life.
We are afraid that most fraternities will not be on this campus after 15 years. Most will fall by the wayside for financial reasons. There will of course be a few of the stronger groups which will be able to struggle on. But by 1970, there won't be any fraternities on the campus.
We feel the future of fraternities at KU is not good. With increasing budgets, fewer men available for pledging, fewer men willing to pledge, and the pressure of a public desiring a change, some of the smaller fraternities will begin experiencing real financial crises.
It is sad indeed to forecast the extinction of fraternity life, because, properly administered, it is a good life for those who can afford it. But with the present chaotic and changing social structure of the nation, fraternities are slowly beginning to lose their basis for existence. Fraternities, and the college Greek way of life, are on their way out.
Sam L. Jones
In spite of the many failures and various shortcomings of the individual Greek houses on the campus, the Inter-Fraternity and Panhellenic Councils are again showing themselves to be a pair of the most outstanding organizations on the campus.
Greeks Show Outstanding Work
Last Saturday's Greek Week dance drew probably the largest crowd at a University social function, in spite of competition from the final presentation of "Pygmalion."
Greek Week, which is now in full swing, is regarded by many persons as being a series of exceptionally rowdy festivities which are limited to members of Greek organizations.
However, a closer look at the activities taking place seems to point out many items which benefit the average student, and which do a great service to the University as a whole.
And in spite of the title, "Greek Week dance," both Greeks and independents had an equal chance to celebrate the coming of midsemesters, and the opportunity to listen to one of the nation's top bands.
Just publicity stunts, you say? Sure, the IFC and Panhellenic derive a great deal of publicity from these functions. But don't forget where the money goes, and if every similar drive had such publicity-conscious organizations backing it, there would be far fewer failures.
But it wasn't all play. The afternoon before the dance, members and pledges of fraternities and sororities canvassed the city of Lawrence, collecting money for the multiple sclerosis fund.
And this was not the only charitable organization on the list. Last week the IFC sponsored and operated the car-smashing contest held on the campus. All the proceeds went to the Campus Chest fund, which was falling far below its quota
This week the IFC and Panhellenic are sponsoring a scholarship dinner, with awards going to fraternities and sororites with the highest grade averages, and to the houses showing the greatest improvement.
Sure it's publicity, but it also provides an incentive for hitting the books throughout the year, and these awards are among the most sought-after honors on the campus.
On the social side, Greek Week activities include a song fest and a chariot race. Both of these events are primarily for the Greek groups, but will probably draw larger crowds than any similar events of the year.
So, maybe Panhellenic and the IFC are merely social organizations who go around adopting worthy causes for the sole purpose of getting their names in the papers.
However, many of the faltering organizations on the campus, which spend most of their time attacking the Greek groups, should adopt similar methods, rather than trying to stir up controversies or gripping about the situation. A little hard work and concentrated effort can accomplish a great deal.
Join The 50-60 Club Today
The proverbial question of which comes first is with us again in another form. Certain persons seem to think that jazz is helping to solve the segregation problem by bringing different races together to enjoy the expressiveness of the music. We don't wish to seem skeptical, but how can persons be brought together to enjoy anything when some are barred at the door?
—Dick Walt
We'll wager Wes Santee wishes he'd stuck around KU long enough to take some classes in the School of Law before doing battle with the AAU.
"SAY, THOSE WERE PRETTY TOUGH' FIRST DAY' ASSIGNMENTS HELP!"
Aid Or Fair Trade- One Of Japan's Problems
(Editor's Note: Eiji Tonomura, a Japanese student, experienced war in Japan. An eve witness of ruins and recovery of Japan, here he tells some of the problems that Japan faced, is facing and will be facing.)
In the summer of 1945, when Gen. Douglas MacArthur and his troops landed at Atsugi, they saw that once picturesque Tokyo was a dead city. The modern architecture, pride of Tokyoites, was seared to the ground, with skeleton twisted like candy sticks.
The census showed 51 per cent of Tokyo was razed by fire bombs. This situation was seen throughout Japan. The de truction of Hiroshima was recorded; 60 per cent, Kobe, 56 per cent, Nagasaki 30 per cent, Nagoya 31 per cent, Osaka 26 per cent, and Yokohama 44 per cent. Only Kyoto, the shrine city, was untouched, probably because of psychological reasons.
Rubble-covered narrow roads, while an eerie stillness made a man's ears ache.
Berlin, a war correspondent once wrote, is a dead lion, dead but grand. Japanese cities were not dead lions and were dead dogs. They were wrecks.
Yet Japan has risen like a phoenix out of the ashes of war destruction. The reconstruction job was Douglas MacArthur's leadership of Goe
Gen. MacArthur's conviction was that Japan should be a democratic and peaceful country.
He immediately demilitarized Japan, crushed war potentials and Zaibatsu, gave women suffrage, and carried out a land-reform program. In 1948, to save starving Japanese, he suggested the recovery of industry.
America now permitted Japan to have industrial plants, and this program was assisted by the provision of $220 million over 12 months for aiding the recovery of Japan, Korea and the Ryukyu islands.
The reconstruction was accelerated by the outbreak of the Korean War. Japan experienced a boom for the first time since the end of World War II. A huge amount of American spending in Japan during and after the Korean war brought Japan a dream of prosperity. The foreign exchange for 1955 was in the black by $325 million.
The Japanese were intoxicated by the sudden prosperity. But now they are waking up from a long hang over. They know that if American spending stops, they will be thrown into the street again.
Japan was shrunk again to four islands as at the time of Commodore Perry's arrival in 1853. The country, equal in area to the state of Montana, is packed with a population of 89 million. Blessed with little natural resources, Japan has to depend on other countries for 98 per
cent of its oil, 90 per cent of its iron, 75 per cent of its tin.
At present the Japanese economy is dependent upon American spending and aid. However, this hurts the pride of the Japanese since Japan is now independent.
Could Japan stand on its own feet? Some say yes, if Japan traded with Red China.
The Japanese are hesitant, at present, to begin trade with Red China, since the balance from American spendings is more lucrative than a China trade. They also won't start trade with Red China for political reasons; pressures from America. But we will face a problem of "Is Japan our ally?"
We are facing a decision of "aid or fair trade." Aid won't last long. A thorough understanding between Japan and America as well as other countries will be the only solution to the economic plight of Japan and to the unrest of Asia.
—Eiji Tonomura
W. Macmahon 'Ball writes in his book, "Japan, Enemy or Ally?," as folows:
At present the Japanese masse-
lack political consciousness and expe-
rised leaders; they are still sunk
in the past. But when they are with-
food or clothing or shelter, they
want radical change. Those who help
their friends resist the change,
their friends; those who resist the
change will be their enemies.
Daily Hansan UNIVERSITY RESIDENCE
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second class matter Sept. 17, 1910, at
post office under act of March
3, 1879.
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