This past week, the ban on Rutgers University fraternities and sororities has been lifted, allowing Greek life to throw parties once again. This lifting of the ban was seemingly done due to the cooperation of all 86 Greek organization over the course of the last semester. Now, all organizations can pick up where they left off prior to the ban was put in place a few months back.

There are many thoughts that students are reflecting on as this ban has been lifted. Most are excited and relieved as they can resume the regular social gatherings in the fall, which were always something to look forward to throughout each week. On the other hand, many students are home for the summer and the streets of New Brunswick are looking emptier than they did only a few short weeks ago. Needless to say, there are some other feelings besides excitement popping up throughout the Rutgers Greek community.

Some still believe that this ban was not fair or reasonable. Some were confused as to why the entire Greek community was penalized for only a few individual mistakes. This seemed as though Rutgers was trying to make a quick, yet drastic, fix to a more complex and larger issue.

Some believe that it was a horrible end to their last year. When it comes to seniors, they were not able to fully enjoy their last weeks at the place they called home for four years. They dedicated YEARS to making their chapters the best they could be, and they couldn't even celebrate that in the end. A huge part of their social lives was taken from them right before they had to leave for the summer, and this time, not come back in the fall!

Some believe that, although unfortunate events happened, and this was Rutgers' way of making sure they did not happen again, they know that these events surely happen at non-Greek affiliated premises. However, the Greeks were the only ones to be penalized. This ban illustrated the false idea that every time a young adult was put in danger because of alcohol or other substances in a social atmosphere, that they were present on Greek grounds surrounded by sorority and fraternity members. (Little does the outside world know of other incidents that occurred at Rutgers this year involving non-Greek affiliated members, probably because of the media's lack of interest in these stories.)

Some believe that this ban was useless, and these unfortunate events may continue in the future. Some think that banning something makes no difference, and once the ban is lifted, all will resume as usual. Maybe Rutgers could have taken more educative measures than a strict punishment.

One fellow Greek believes, "I don't think the ban made any difference to be honest. Parties are just going to continue just as they were before the two-month ban. People are just going to be more cautious about it when it comes to social media and talking about it in public."

Some believe that the media portrays Greek life to be a poisoned "group" and "bad influence" on the rest of the college community, and this could have been a large part of the reasoning behind the ban. Unfortunately, they fail to mention the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars the national Greek community raises for various charities and philanthropies. Also, they neglect to recognize how Greeks tend to have among the highest GPAs out of their entire university. They fail to mention the leadership skills and strong morals being part of a brotherhood or sisterhood teaches to young adults. Perhaps Rutgers was frightened by the Greek life stereotype, not to mention the dozens of news vans parked up and down College Avenue each day after some of these tragic incidents occurred.

Another Greek's thoughts on the ban included this quote, "I think that the ban was really uncalled for and, in addition to this, it's a shame that the media fixated so much about the social ban when I didn't see ten news trucks the day after Dance Marathon—an event that is run by 98 percent Greek life and raised nearly $700,000 for children with cancer and rare blood diseases."

Another stated, “I don't think it was productive for the community. Sure they were able to convince themselves they'd keep Rutgers out of the news for a few weeks, but it made the community resent the administration and ultimately have less respect for school policies."

A Rutgers spokesperson, E.J. Miranda, said it himself according to NJ.com . He stated that all 86 organizations "cooperated" with the ban. This meaning that all members acted responsibly and appropriately throughout the two months, thus contradicting what the stereotypes depict Greek life to be.

For now, the only way for the Greek community to move forward is to celebrate. Greeks should be excited that they can get back to their gatherings when September rolls around. Although some may feel this ban was unreasonable and unfair, it should be a reminder to be more careful, be a little more aware when watching out for sisters, brothers and all members of the Rutgers community when out-and-about and to always be conscious of his or her surroundings. Fall '15 is a whole new semester, so Greeks at Rutgers and all over the country should move forward from this and move on with their college years. Two months may have been (socially) lost but there are many, many more to come.