Spring Break
Editorial: Cigar supports Greek system
Issue date: 4/8/05 Section: Editorial/Opinion
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04/08/05 - Recently, the Cigar has received criticism that it is negative toward the Greek system and that the positive aspects and programs run by sororities and fraternities.
This would be something we would change, that is, if there was any validity to the claim. After reviewing the Cigar's coverage of Greek events this year, it is hard to identify what people have been labeling as "negative" stories.
We covered the groundbreaking ceremony for Zeta Beta Tau fraternity on March 25. We have run letters endorsing Greek programs ("Spring's organized recruitment rush gets a face, time and place," Dec. 10) and from alumni who are in a fraternity.
We did a story about ZBT receiving a national award ("ZBT receives top national awards," Oct. 10) and the re-recognition process Phi Mu Delta is undergoing ("Fraternity returns to campus 16 years after being removed," March 30).
In fact, we even wrote a positive editorial, entitled "URI student volunteers give back to the community," about the merits of Greek programs at URI in the February 25 issue. Looking at this coverage, it is hard to question the support we have given the Greek system at URI.
Why does this image of the Cigar as an anti-Greek organization persist? We have had at times to report about negative occurrences at fraternity houses. This includes a few simple assaults and noise complaints.
However, neither are incidents solely attributable to the Greek system. Every week a few students seem to be arrested, and the frequency of incidents at fraternities and sororities does not seem out of line with the rest of the university.
Likewise, some people have mixed up the opinion of editorial writers with news stories. Although the editorial staff of the Cigar has supported Greek organizations, columnists and letter writers are under no such obligation.
If anything, the Cigar can be accused of not fully covering Greek events. This is often because they are fundraising or charity events, which we rarely cover unless there is a unique angle or spin. We only have so many reporters, and we do not specifically cover or not cover an event because a fraternity or sorority is running it. We also do not cover socials or formals for any organizations.
The problem is one of perception. It is not surprising that the Greek system feels it is sometimes not given enough credit in the Cigar; the simple truth is every campus organization feels they should get more coverage, whether it is Student Senate, the Sailing Club or Future Botanists of America.
This would be something we would change, that is, if there was any validity to the claim. After reviewing the Cigar's coverage of Greek events this year, it is hard to identify what people have been labeling as "negative" stories.
We covered the groundbreaking ceremony for Zeta Beta Tau fraternity on March 25. We have run letters endorsing Greek programs ("Spring's organized recruitment rush gets a face, time and place," Dec. 10) and from alumni who are in a fraternity.
We did a story about ZBT receiving a national award ("ZBT receives top national awards," Oct. 10) and the re-recognition process Phi Mu Delta is undergoing ("Fraternity returns to campus 16 years after being removed," March 30).
In fact, we even wrote a positive editorial, entitled "URI student volunteers give back to the community," about the merits of Greek programs at URI in the February 25 issue. Looking at this coverage, it is hard to question the support we have given the Greek system at URI.
Why does this image of the Cigar as an anti-Greek organization persist? We have had at times to report about negative occurrences at fraternity houses. This includes a few simple assaults and noise complaints.
However, neither are incidents solely attributable to the Greek system. Every week a few students seem to be arrested, and the frequency of incidents at fraternities and sororities does not seem out of line with the rest of the university.
Likewise, some people have mixed up the opinion of editorial writers with news stories. Although the editorial staff of the Cigar has supported Greek organizations, columnists and letter writers are under no such obligation.
If anything, the Cigar can be accused of not fully covering Greek events. This is often because they are fundraising or charity events, which we rarely cover unless there is a unique angle or spin. We only have so many reporters, and we do not specifically cover or not cover an event because a fraternity or sorority is running it. We also do not cover socials or formals for any organizations.
The problem is one of perception. It is not surprising that the Greek system feels it is sometimes not given enough credit in the Cigar; the simple truth is every campus organization feels they should get more coverage, whether it is Student Senate, the Sailing Club or Future Botanists of America.
