In January of this year, Tennessee State Representative John J. DeBerry Jr. (D-Memphis) proposed House Bill 2042 which would make it so that "fraternities and sororities [at public universitites] shall not be recognized or otherwise permitted to associate with, or operate on the campus of, any state institution of higher education." The bill was also sponsored in the Tennessee State Senate by Senator Reginald Tate (D-Memphis). The bill comes in response to increased concern over fraternity and sorority-related hazing and intoxication events across the country. The Tennessean reports that in 2017 the University of Tennessee put Sigma Phi Epsilon on social probation and in 2016 the University of Tennessee at Knoxville suspended Sigma Chi. Both incidents had to do with intense intoxication and alleged hazing activities.
The problem at the heart of this bill is hazing and inappropriate conduct that is promoted heavily within the Greek community. Parties, drinking, hazing, and other types of irresponsible conduct are closely related to fraternities and sororities. It is important to deal with this issue, but I don't think that banning Greek life at public universities is the answer.
It would only be fair to point out that the bill does not include banning fraternities and sororities that are "professional fraternities and honor societies", so only social fraternities and sororities would be affected. I can understand the academic argument here as well; social fraternities and sororities by definition are not focused on increasing academic success at universities. While that is true, there are hundreds of social student organizations on college campuses across the state that also are not formed solely to assist students' academic aspirations.
I think that it is also important to mention that I am not a member of any social fraternity. I do not have personal experience as part of Greek life, so the internal culture and expectations are foreign to me. However, as someone who only knows of Greek life from the outside, I do not believe this bill would accomplish what it intends to. There is no stopping young people from getting together to participate in activities that they want to participate in. By severing the connection between universities and Greek life, Tennessee would only create a less regulated, less supervised place for fraternities and sororities to operate.
As far as the law is concerned, I believe that there is a chance that this bill could be considered unconstitutional. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution, as it relates to this topic, states, "Congress shall make no law . . . abridging . . . the right of the people to peaceably assemble . . .". While this is typically in reference to political discourse, I believe there is an inherently political aspect to fraternities and sororities. Greek life is often uniquely in touch with their campus and represents a portion of the student body that is heavily involved in campus life and policy. Banning wholesale any organization that is social in nature, I believe, can be considered an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment.
Regardless of the negatives that are often associated with Greek life, there is a multitude of benefits to Greek life. Students who are members of fraternities and sororities volunteer for their community (often as a requirement of membership) and serve as a support group for students who may be struggling academically, socially, or personally. Hazing, excess drinking, and other irresponsible acts should not be ignored, but those issues are not solved simply because you ban one-way students engage in those acts.
As someone who is not Greek, I would be deeply disappointed in the State of Tennessee if such legislation is passed. Greek life plays an important role on my campus and many others, not just in Tennessee but across the country. Whether you agree with me or not, you should make your opinion known to your legislator here: http://www.capitol.tn.gov/legislators/. Find your legislator; email and call them. Go to their local office in your district. If you have an opinion on this bill or any others, it is your responsibility as a citizen to make your voice heard by those representing you.
