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Is the Greek system is responsible for racial segregation on campus?

DRIVING QUESTIONS: Bridging the gap

Greek Chapters from all three councils begin to tackle the issue of racial division.

The Greek system is responsible for racial segregation on campus. Well, maybe not.

The accusation comes up almost every year in a blog, an article, a sociology class: Vanderbilt is racially divided. And the Greek system is no exception.

But if this is true - that the school is racially split - where does the division come from? Are Greek life and the racial division even related, and how can it change?

"It's like the question of the chicken and the egg," said Whitney Hubbard, a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. Through Hubbard's eyes, "they seem to reinforce each other," but opinions on the issue are more than a little diverse.

Some see it as a reflection while others see it a force that shapes part of the campus culture.

"I feel like right now there are for sure areas of segregation. You see it when you walk into Rand at lunch," said Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity President Danny Neelon.

But the recently elected Interfraternity Council officer, who identifies himself as black, said he does not see the Greek system as the culprit when it comes to student division.

"I see that happening on campus, but we shouldn't be blaming a specific organization for the problem."

Others disagree, though. "Greek life holds a lot of power in shaping the campus social atmosphere," said Dave Edwards, president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi. "And race definitely plays a role in Greek life."

"It's a result of having a small minority population," said Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. President Aubrey Hammond. "At a bigger university, or a more heavily black university, the division wouldn't be as apparent."

For Hammond, the division is a matter of comfort level.

"People gravitate toward those they have the most in common with," he said. Edwards said he feels similarly.

"From freshman year on, you end up with people who share the same interests as you," he said. "You form relationships based on who you identify with."

Neelon agrees - and so does the Office of Greek Life.

The question now, he said, is "how can we use the Greek system to promote diversity in the councils and awareness?"

Kristin Torrey, director of Greek Life, explained that a recent initiative, Tri-Council Circles, was created to bridge gaps between the councils and help sustain student relationships within the Greek community.

"Six years ago, there was not as much interaction across the councils," Torrey said. "In my opinion, you have to start on a smaller scale. What we are working on is building the personal relationship."

In Tri-Council Circles, all Greek chapters are divided into five circles with seven chapters in each circle. Each circle has at least one sorority or fraternity from each of the three councils. The members in each circle participate in various activities with each other throughout the school year.

But some students feel like the tri-council support system is not helpful. "It was fun team-building, but I'm not sure how much people get much out of it long-term," Sam Betten said, a sophomore in Phi Kappa Sigma. "There are still those barriers."

But Zeta Phi Beta president Kirstie Kwarteng is a little more optimistic. She agrees that Greek life is racially divided, but she also says, "Racial interaction is probably better in Greek life than on campus as a whole."

Kwarteng and other NPHC members emphasize the importance of such joint endeavors as the circles, StompFest, Greek Week and Greek retreat.

But they still feel the three Greek branches need more lasting interaction.

"Things like Stompfest and Greek Week are great," Edwards said, "but they're not long-term. You see each other at Stompfest, and then you don't talk again for two or three months."

"We need something that will allow us to know one another - more than a working relationship, an actual long-term friendship," Hubbard said.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. president John Fonge said he thought the councils needed to reach out beyond their comfort levels to achieve this goal.

"NPHC has historically been a refuge of sorts," Fonge said, "but right now we need to open up. We want to stick to our roots, but we have to branch out, too."

Kwanteng agreed for the most part.

"I think it's fine the branches are separate," Kwarteng said, "I just wish we could work together more. We can't make people be friends, but we can present a more united front to the community."

Torrey understands the concerns, though.

"It is getting better and better, and it depends on who you ask, but people get out of a program what they put into it," Torrey said.

Sophomore Morgan Turner agreed.

"It is going to require a bit of a culture change on campus to change things completely.