RESPECT is planting itself firmly on Doane's campus tonight. At 9 p.m., a forum welcoming both Greek and non-Greek students will be held at Common Grounds. The forum, entitled RESPECT: Independent and Greek Life, is an outreach to students wishing to express concerns surrounding the Greek community.
Russ Hewitt, Resident Life director, said the forum would be a chance for both independent and Greek students to communicate in a fair, open manner prior to Greek Week.
"It's right around Greek Week that people who are typically friends are suddenly at each others' throats just because they don't like what Greek [organizations] represent," Hewitt said. "This is a place to meet in the middle. Let's talk about it [issues] prior to Greek Week."
Paul Artale, Greek Council adviser, said he hoped the fact that students were willing to open up with these issues would inspire continued dialogue between groups.
"I hope this will minimize tension between groups," Artale said. "A lot of them just haven't talked and without communication, nothing will get better."
Some issues Artale said could possibly be discussed included Greek concerns with theft and damaged property by independents and independent interference with Greek Week. Artale said issues that independents might have included the public aspects of Greek Week and issues involving the exclusivity of Greek organizations.
The forum will allow several spokespeople from both sides to approach issues in a respectful manner, while Artale and Hewitt act as moderators between the groups.
A main concern, Artale said, was enabling both sides to understand the other. "I don't expect them to see eye to eye," Artale said. "We just want them to begin to understand [each other], and possibly lay down some ground rules. Hopefully this forum will act as a good check and balance between both groups." Senior Maggie Sheehy, a member of Phi Sigma Tau, said she thought the meeting was a time for legitimate concerns to be addressed.
"I think it's important for us to respect each other and realize that if we just talk about issues, they can get better on both sides," Sheehy said. "We need to break down the barriers."
Sheehy said she thought it was important for all students and administration to attend the forum in order for issues to be understood campus-wide.
Artale added that he welcomed students with even a small interest in Greek organizations to attend the forum.
"Having this forum can only make the Greek community and school unity stronger," Artale said.
