Editor:

Fraternities argue that they should be given access to school alcohol funding because without fraternities, "there would be no social life on campus." Yet they have never questioned whether or not the social life created by fraternities is necessarily good. This social scene would create an intimidating atmosphere for many women and non-fraternity men on Pomona’s campus.

Fraternities deny the charge that the exclusive nature of their organizations would translate into an exclusive social scene, but recent practices belie this argument. Since publicly declaring my opposition to the proposed school funding of fraternity events, I have been harassed regularly by some fraternity members. Numerous men, mostly members of Kappa Delta, have said that I was, "not welcome at their parties." Another member of this fraternity called me a hypocrite as I walked into the Women’s Symposium last Thursday night. The origin of my beverage seems to be fair game for anyone who wishes to inquire. (No, my beer is not from the fraternity’s keg. I generally prefer wine or Jack Daniel’s to Red Dog or Icehouse). After one recent fraternity social a rather presumptuous young man accosted me from across the courtyard separating Walker from Clark V.

Additionally, my objections to the issue of fraternity funding have never been directed at individual fraternity members. I have been careful to separate my views about specific institutions from the people who are members of them. Yet, some fraternity members have chosen to direct their attacks at an individual rather than a position. Instead, they have chosen to berate me as an individual who does not share their opinion or their pack mentality, which tells them to think together as groups of five. Quite frankly, this is chickenshit.

Evidently, the ideal social scene is one where everyone shares identical political views. It seems ridiculous that so many supposedly liberal, tolerant people are so blatantly disrespectful and rude to someone merely for disagreeing with their point of view.

This is not an indictment of fraternities. I have no problem with the institution of fraternities, especially in the form in which they appear at Pomona. In fact many fraternity members, including certain members of Sigma Tau, have defended me against these personal attacks. My objections are centered on the sponsorship of these self-selecting and obviously exclusive groups by the school.

One of the chief objections to the school’s funding of fraternity parties is the threat of increased intimidation and fear perceived by non-fraternity members on campus. Fraternities have vehemently denied this possibility. Yet, the past few weeks have shown me that fraternities have a greater ability to intimidate and alienate people than I would have thought possible. And this is without the added presence that additional funding would afford them.

Are these people, with their notions of exclusivity and control, the ones to whom Pomona College wants to entrust its social scene?

Sincerely,

Bethany Woodard ’00