When you have something that plays to your benefit, why would you attempt to get rid of it? In the college community of Middle Tennessee, it seems that getting rid of the Greek system will solve all problems. Here’s a little background information. I go to an average sized college. To be exact, I go to the largest college in my state, but when you compete with an SEC school, the less extravagant school seems to get overshadowed. There’s nothing wrong with the school I go to. We have decent sports programs, excellent academics, a beautiful campus and an ever evolving town that surrounds us. However, there is a major problem that affects not only myself but those around me, it is the Greek life at Middle Tennessee State.

We have a smaller Greek organization. We don't have extravagant mansions to live in, unlimited social budgets or things of that sort. We have a simple Greek row with a house for each of the six Panhellenic sororities and average a little over one hundred girls per chapter in each.. Greek life is not only limited to the Panhellenic community but also includes seven IFC fraternities as well as nine NPHC organizations. We aren't a huge group, but then again we aren't small, we just make up a small percentage of the student body population. We still manage to make ourselves known on campus and are well integrated into things other than Greek life, I say that representing all of us, not just my chapter.

Here’s the problem that comes associated with Greek life at MT-it’s being diminished, constantly attacked and put down. Greek life is becoming a smaller blip on the radar of all things MTSU. Fraternities that make minor mistakes and jokes have been exploited as sexist, racist and controversial causing fraternity life to become practically nonexistent on campus. Constant complaints, issues and hazing allegations are only a few of the things that have caused such an uproar in our small town. Some of these issues have become so pressed that it has led to there only being one fraternity house remaining on Greek row, all others are made to have their housing and gatherings off campus. The girls of the community are being put under fire as well, it’s just not as apparent. Sororities have scandals spread and are put on probation for minor infractions and any minor complaint that can be filed is turned in. This ensures a formal investigation, a series of questionings, standards meetings, and further evaluations of whether they are fit to remain at MTSU. This deduction of chapters and limiting of what the remaining can do puts extreme complications on those involved in Greek life. Further rules are put into place, punishments become stricter and what’s left is current members wanting to be released from their chapters and potential members not having any remaining interest in ever becoming involved in such organizations. This is what leads to even further deterioration of Greek life.

No Greek life! Why is that a problem? This is the answer I've heard from numerous professors and people of the community. Greek life is full of partiers, trouble makers, those who can’t focus on school. “If the Greeks were eliminated the school would be a much better place.” While this isn't an article on why Greek life is beneficial for individual students, this is about how it benefits my school as a whole. Greeks, though they only make a small percentage of the student body, make the part that counts. We are the part that intrigues those high school students from Murfreesboro and keeps them going to college here in their hometown. We are the largest portion of students that attend tail gates and Blue Raider athletic events. We are what encourages students to not only keep their grades up , but hold them to a higher standard. We are the people that lead clubs, start organizations, and excel in class. We are the students that show up to events hosted by the campus that otherwise no one would want to. We are the people that play intramural sports, perform in multiple shows, and get MTSU so much recognition. We raise thousands and thousands of dollars for philanthropies within our community and beyond. We are the definition of True Blue. All of us men and women.

So the question is, why would a school that wants to increase it’s numbers and public image continually punish, disband, and eliminate such a critical part of it’s student body. Too many issues? Too much bad publicity? If people would look at the lager universities and take a hint, maybe we could solve the problem. While it is true that we hear the occasional horror story about a big SEC school fraternity or sorority, not every mistake and error that they make is broadcasted to anyone that will listen. They have just as much fun as we do and people continue to adore them. Their chapters don't lose their charter. They don't get put on social probation for a simple misdemeanor. Their good deeds get shown and help make those universities look like a desirable place. So if the big schools can do it, why not Middle? Why is it that those in authoritative positions are so keen on eliminating us? We need to eliminate the problems, not the organization. I believe the greatest way to eliminate a problem is not by buckling down on the rules and setting unbelievable punishments; the way to fix the problem is to not sweat the small stuff and let these groups of students continue to grow, prosper, and lead the student body in a way that they have been trying to do or years.