Editor,

As a recent pledge of the Phi Deltas I feel that it is important to address some of the issues being discussed by the student body in regard to the fraternity. In light of the recent accusations the members of Phi Delta, both individually and collectively, have come under, what I consider, unfair criticism.

In no way do I intend to attack the anonymous group nor any of its supporters, by writing this letter. They are concerned members of this school’s community who are simply responding to an institution that they perceive as a threat to the high ideals of Pomona College. What I do intend to criticize is the method that they have chosen to express their concern.

I chose to join the Phi Deltas not because of any specific beliefs they held, but to become a member of a group of people with whom I enjoyed being. I feel that this is an important point to stress. Phi Delta is not an organization founded on a specific set of beliefs, but rather a group based on the ideas of brotherhood and friendship.

Naturally the recent allegations against the fraternity have cast a negative light on my initiation. These allegations have vilified the fraternity without consideration of its members, whose feelings and reputations have been considerably hurt.

Members have also been disturbed by accusations prompted by the flyer against the fraternity. These accusations often label the fraternity as women-haters and sexist. What is most disturbing about these accusations is the severity of the labels and yet the frivolity with which they are being applied to the fraternity and its members without sufficient evidence.

The fraternity takes these labels very seriously, and are deeply upset with how quickly they have been thrown at them with little consideration for the ramifications they have on the fraternity’s members.

What is often forgotten is that an institution is comprised of individuals, and that they too are affected by the attacks on the organization. As a result these individuals become defensive and turn inwardly towards the group where they can find themselves safe from these attacks, which in this instance is the fraternity. Consequently communication between the group and the outside world is disrupted through the creation of an us versus them mentality.

In addition bias is created in the mind of the public, further impairing open communication. Individuals will look at the fraternity and its members with disdain, and will not listen as considerately as would be expected when accusations as serious these have been made. Assumptions and expectations about the fraternity and its actions have been established. Subsequently individuals are predisposed to see the fraternity’s actions with a very narrow and skewed perspective, with the intent of confirming the accusations, rather than seeing the fraternity with an open and fair mind.

It is important to remember that the accusations against the fraternity have been made with an agenda, and are therefore presented in a subjective manner. By taking the facts of any argument for granted, is to also inadvertently accept the opinions and perspectives of those behind the argument. It is therefore very important that the mediators in any argument keep an open mind not only to the veracity of the evidence presented, but to the validity of the interpretation of the evidence that is presented as well.

The process of initiation was involved exclusively with the members of the fraternity. Throughout the process each initiate was paired with three older brothers, whose main concern was the welfare of that pledge. Speaking from my own experience I know that my older brothers were very considerate with what I wanted to do, and with making my initiation as enjoyable as possible.

This does not mean that there is no room for change within the fraternity. The members of Phi Delta are open to criticism and responsive to the ideas and feelings of others. By not approaching the fraternity first with their concerns, Kodak66 essentially assumed that the fraternity would be inconsiderate of their ideas. It may be easy to forget that the members of Phi Delta are also part of Pomona’s community, and will do everything they can to reconcile the two institutions.

However, reconciliation becomes difficult when the two institutions are presented in mutually exclusive terms, and individuals are forced to take sides without giving adequate consideration to the matter. Taking sides polarizes the community, and the resulting communication between the two groups will be tense at best, with both sides always on the defensive. If any progress is to be made, all individuals, regardless of their ties to the fraternity or opposing organizations, must be open to the ideas and opinions of the other side. Unfortunately this situation does not currently exist, as the members of Phi Delta have come under premature criticism from members of the Pomona community who hold only vague notions of the fraternity and that for which it stands.

By writing this letter, I simply hope that a positive environment can be created where all individuals are free to discuss their opinions and feelings on the matter, and where they are not subject to the prejudice and bias of others. When this environment is created I believe that progress can be made towards an understanding between the community and Phi Delta.

Sincerely,

J.P. Hehmeyer ‘02