 "Photo: N/A")
Dear Editor...
I am greek, everything he said was true, but only for a few particular people who make greek life look bad. There are parties, there are drunk idiots, and there are sluts. However, there are also members of SGA, SAC, honors societies, Medical clubs, service fraternities, and such. the article was a little too assumptuous for my tastes but everyone has the right to their own opinions. He should just have researched a little more on what good things both sororities and fraternities offer to this school. the large number of new students are in part due to the amazing greek life West GA offers.
The new Greek Village is paid for by Greeks, not the school! Not everyone gets by on "Mommy and Daddy's" money either. I am a freshman and pay for it all on my own with money I worked hard for! As for friends, college is all about networking. In this society, people have to get by alot of times on who they happen to know. I have tons of independent friends! Being greek helps you to learn rules of communication and socializing, which is not a bad thing. As far as the "easy major" is concerned, not everyone belongs in the Advanced Academy!! I definitely agree the Advanced Academy kids should have a nice new house, but nothing ever gets done if people are passive!!!
Greeks get what they want because they are active, participate, and ask for it! The people who are making death wishes on this kid are just ignorant and can't handle a little criticism. However, it is not right to assume all greek's are the same. We are all still individuals. Not everyone can be pleased, that's just life.
-Abby
As a member of a Greek organization and a proud student of UWG, I am disgusted that the article by Jacob Lovell was allowed to print. I understand that everyone is entitled to voice his or her opinion and free speech is protected under the Constitution; however, I equate the words printed in the West Georgian to be ignorant. In a college environment we are encouraged to open our minds and broaden our outlook on the world. Embracing other cultures and ways of life world-wide include the cultures and ways of life on campus.
I knew the stereotypes of Greek life before I decided to join. After my sophomore year I found many instances that backed up the stereotypes that I had been exposed to. Yes, I saw underage drinking, yes, I saw promiscuity, yes, I saw poor attitudes, but I can honestly say that I saw many more instances that proved them wrong. Philanthropic involvement and brotherhood and sisterhood are so heavily emphasized. We may not all get along, but the sense of community pours over into relationships with those outside of the Greek community, as well. We learn leadership skills, social skills, new levels of kinship. I do not see myself as only a sister of my own chapter, but also as a sister of all other Greeks. Before recruitment I was shy, reserved, and not very interested in branching out on campus. This was mainly because I grew up in Carrollton and stuck by my high school friends.
My decision to join was because I knew that greek life was a way to meet others. I found so many people that I could relate to. I met so many good hearts. Although I am inactive now due to personal reasons I would not have changed my decision to join. I have a deep love for my chapter and I still believe in the values it was founded upon. I think it is despicable for the university newspaper to publish such trash talk about an organization that means so much to so many. Opinions that express stereotypes about certain races or about sexuality would not have been printed, so why this one? The anti-greek article is everything that college is not. Of course greek life has a stigma. Of course greeks aren't perfect, but who is? Let's not put the actions of few on the group of many. We shouldn't equate every arab to terrorism or every african-american to urban crime so don't equate every greek man or woman to immorality and immaturity. We are all a priveledged group of university students, so act like it.
-Jessica Strickland
jstrick2@my.westga.edu
So, first the West Georgian made sure to destroy its black readers, now it's working on the greek ones? Another smart move by Ellis "I have no idea how to run a newspaper" Smith, destroyer of the once great and award-winning campus paper. Why not just go all out and have your mouthpiece, Jacob, degrade all air-breathers because he wasn't loved enough as a child, and/or now. Yes it's in the opinion section, but there's a measure of quality that still needs to be upheld when dealing with a publication.
Would you put the ramblings of a crazed homeless person talking about how the government is taking control of our brains via microwaves? (Albeit, this is probably where Jacob's future lies, so you'd probably answer "yes!") Someone with half a brain would say, "No, I'd rather have my paper filled with thought out pieces that are tactful and well-represented." But now we've got a hate-filled crybaby piece that are full of Animal House stereotypes and juvenile language. That doesn't reflect well on anyone, especially you Mr. Smith. I won't even get into how laughable the fake pen name and trying to turn this article into a "satire" was. Can anyone say damage control? And while we're on the subject of damage control, get off of it Bobby Moore. Your time as Executive Editor was a joke, much like your underling Mr. Smith's time has become. Not to mention your anti-everything the majority thinks is "cool" is tiring. Just bite the bullet and tell the paper to pick up the quality. In closing, Jacob...what did you expect? You can't continue to slap a dog in the face and then become angry when it bites your hand sooner or later.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want anything scratched into anyone's car, but you've spent your entire newspaper career careening into one group after the other like they all ran over your puppy. Some articles were much more well realized than others, while some just come off as the crazed homeless person allusion earlier. But the fact is that your personal unhappiness is ruining your writing career. There's a huge difference in writing against an organization that needs closer watching and just putting your hate of the world, or your personal troubles, into everything you see.
You're becoming so closed-minded that you're pushing people away, and I think you know that. You can shrug this away with the usual cynical laughter, or you can take that to heart. I hope it's the latter and I hope you really evaluate your life or whatever is bothering you in it. So, I guess if I had to give this post a theme it's be mindful. Greeks, by mindful that you've made your point. You got trashed in a horrible article, but you digging into his facebook and making fun of appearances and hobbies is cross the line. Would you do that against a boy or girl in the Boys and Girls club? I wouldn't think so. And if one of you greek guys or girls were responsible for the keying, I hope your conscious isn't stonecold enough to not man up, like your mantra seems to be, and admit a mistake to Mr. Lovell. Maybe he'll respect you a bit more if you did. But then again, it could be any group he's targeted in the past... Mr. Smith needs to be mindful that he's running a business. His ad revenue is tied to how people perceive his paper. If potential ad buyers think it's a racist, student organization hating paper with no viewers, kiss the paper goodbye.
He also needs to be mindful that the paper does not belong to him or his cynical little buddies or ideologies. A newspaper belongs to the students. It's everyone's ideas that make it great, not just your own. Take a look at your staff, you've gone from an excellent mixed staff from the past years of memory to probably a 95% white staff. What does that say about you and how your paper is represented. Mr. Lovell needs to be mindful that while the paper is the perfect place for his student ideas, it doesn't necessarily want the same hate-filled dribble that you feel the need to spread every week. Take a deep breath, maybe write about something you like? Life is too short to hated by everyone, despite how fun you think it is, or at least tell yourself it is while you truly hate it. And Mr. Moore, just stop being so blindly pro-West Georgian and try and help the paper become what it needs to be. You're a smart guy, and you know what's good journalism. Sorry for the long read everyone, but I really hope it helps someone.
-Jake W.
jakewasher@gmail.com
For the past 4 years I have had the privilege and honor of being a Greek woman at the University of West Georgia. Greek life has provided me with opportunity such as leadership, and community involvement. My experience within my chapter has gone beyond the social aspect, I am sure that many Greeks would agree with me when I say that you have to experience it in order to understand the benefits of being a Greek at the University of West Georgia. "From the outside looking in you can never understand it and from the inside out you can never explain it"
After reading the article that was submitted by "Buck Futter Jr." I am greatly appalled at the accusations that were made towards the Greek community. I have attended many fraternity functions with multiple organizations and I have failed to notice the accusation that was made about what goes on at fraternity functions with girls that are passed out drunk. Myself nor any of my sisters have been put in the situation to be forced to drink alcohol or to be sexually assaulted at fraternity functions. I have witnessed numerous situations where a woman had over the limit of alcohol she should have and a Greek man has provided her with a safe ride home.
While the misconception is made that we "pay" for our friends, we are actually paying for the philanthropic events we hold, social functions, sending people to leadership conferences, housing, and our new Greek Village. The Greek Village is an accomplishment for both the Greeks and The University of West Georgia. Greek Village is allowing the university to expand its growth and attract more students to the university. The village will provide a safe living community for Greek organizations as well as non Greek organizations. Fraternities and sororities at UWG have worked very hard since our establishment to create a community that would better the university. The reference was made about the Advanced- Academy having to live in decades-old housing that is falling apart, the sorority women live across the street in Boykin which is just as old but we make the best of it. The reference was made that we use our mommy and daddy's money when many people in Greek organizations fund it themselves with the jobs they work on top of being involved on campus and attending classes. If you're considering building a bond of sisterhood and brotherhood "paying" for our friends, then surely I didn't pay enough.
Greek men and women have excelled academically for years. According to the Fall 2008 Greek Academic Summary, which is available at the Center for Student Involvement, the all UWG average was a 2.61 and the all Greek average was a 2.67. Greek men and women are doing their part academically as we had a higher average than the entire university for the Fall. To be successful you must endure more than just intelligence, you must possess leadership and social skills which the Greek community as well as other organizations on campus provide.
No one deserves to have their car keyed and I am genuinely sorry that it happened. I do not feel that it is right to wrongfully accuse or slander the Greek community for this act of vandalism. The Greeks have made a difference at the University of West Georgia and will continue to do so with or without your support. Go Greek!
-Brittany Jorge
brittany.jorge@gmail.com
First of all, I would like to say that I have never been affiliated with any Greek organization. In fact, I have been an out-spoken critic of fraternities for much of my college career. With that said, I was very disappointed in Mr. Lovell's article. A responsible journalist provides evidence to back up their conclusions. Mr. Lovell offers very little evidence and instead chooses to stereotype many different groups of people. It is very irresponsible to insinuate that fraternities rape women, both practice and condemn homosexualty, and vandalize university property. These sort of statements are both ignorant and uncalled for. With that said, I am more displeased with the fact that Mr. Lovell chooses to disrespect political science and marketing majors. Maybe he is too ignorant to realize that those are two very well respected majors. One of which leads many on a path toward law school. Furthermore, he chooses to insult all of UWG by calling the school "a no-name regional public university." The sad part about all of this is that Mr. Lovell could have constructively criticized fraternities and his article could have been respected. Mr. Lovell, however, was not looking to do that at all. His writing does not contain a trace of objectivity. I do recognize that the column is located in an opinion section, but it seems as though he was looking to garner as much cheap publicity for himself as possible. After all, he used used his column to not only insult fraternities, but also political science and marketing majors, and the U.WG student body as a whole. I will be very proud of the degree that I will receive from this "no-name regional public university" in a few weeks, but I am not proud that the West Georgian published this sorry excuse for a journalist.
-Drew Connell
drew.connell@ymail.com
As a frequent reader of The West Georgian I enjoy perusing all the articles: sports, entertainment, features, and of course, the infamous opinion column. The West Georgian always does an excellent job of allowing students to use the paper as an open forum for public opinion. I do know that the paper's coverage of the Greek system has not always been favorable or positive; but I was completely shocked at Jacob Lovell's blatant lack of tact in his article, "Join a Frat with Buck Futter, Jr." I understand the notion of "free speech," but at what cost? Does free speech cover degradation, stereotyping, insulting, and fabrication without any sufficient proof to one's theories? As both a member and president of a sorority it is my obligation to inform you, Mr. Lovell, that the facts regarding fraternities and sororities prove you wrong in your quest to vilify social organizations. First of all, you insinuate that only fraternities participate in underage drinking.
But yet the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that almost fifty percent of adolescents have had at least one drink by the time they reach 8th grade. Obviously, that does not rectify the behavior but clearly supports the fact that underage drinking is not an activity limited to fraternities. Next, you claim that social organizations run without any supervision or consequences for rule breaking. Not only are we in constant contact with our Greek advisor; but individually we are counseled by our own chapter advisors who are well educated in both college policies and our national organization rules. Personally, I can tell you that our national organization is run impeccably, they hold us to the highest standards of human dignity, scholarship, community service, sisterhood, and career and personal development. Social organizations provide an experience unlike any other and inspire you to continue to push yourself to your highest potential. This is more than just an empty cliché- it is fact: 76% of our nation's Senators, 70% of the top executives in the Fortune 500, and 71% of the men listed in Who's Who in America are Fraternity men. And to address the notion that we "pay" for our friends- only 2% of a fraternity member's average expenses goes towards organizational dues. If I "paid for my friends"- I certainly didn't pay enough. While you were so quick to make generalizations you failed to notice the good. You didn't mention Delta Chi's BBQ for charity, or Phi Mu's casino night to benefit Children's Miracle Network, among the many philanthropic efforts Greek Life coordinates each semester. I suppose it's easier for you to leave this information out in order to carry on your defamation of sororities and fraternities. Mr.Lovell, if your tirade was in direct response to your car being vandalized- I'm sorry.
With the amount of different students who pass by cars in Boykin parking lot it is extremely presumptuous to claim that either a resident of Boykin or a visitor at Boykin (who I guess you assume is a fraternity member) perpetuated the crime. May I speculate that the reason that your car was violated was due to the anti-establishment type stickers plastered across it rather than the ire of a "drunken" fraternity member? Your beliefs are yours to broadcast through any medium but there are more prudent ways to voice your ideas than on your car while you park it in an unsupervised public lot. If you get anything out of this letter- at least consider that. I respect your willingness to speak out against what you feel is corrupt but that's not the case. You are speaking out against something you don't understand. Ask us questions, come to our fundraising events, and try to get to know us as a community- you will learn you are grossly underestimating Greeks.
-Whitney McCallum
wmccall1@my.westga.edu
I am in a sorority on campus (Phi Mu) and I have no problem if Jacob knows my identity or if the school wants my opinion. I think it is very sad that Jacob's car was damaged. But you know whats ironic? The stickers that offended somebody (he nor anyone else knows who did it) are anti-military and anti-government. He is bashing the people who are, and have for many years, been fighting for and working for protection of his right to submit this piece of junk to the West Georgian allowing him to exercise his rights to the first amendement.
That being said, I am currently in UWG's Nursing program which, as you may know, requires very difficult and tedious work as well as lots of patient care and etc. Along with that, I am a member of my sorority, a member of Rho Lambda and Order of Omega honors societies. I was on UWG's Miracle Marathon exec and was also a member of UWG Panhellenic Council. I have done more than my part to contribute to this school and society as a whole. As a Greek woman, I believe I speak for all soroity women when I say that some of Jacob's remarks (which you allowed to be published reflecting the West Georgian's tolerance of hateful words as well as non-reserched bias opinions on a specific group of people) were incredibly out of line. Saying that college freshmen who spend time with fraternity men or at their homes are getting "raped" or who are "easy" is cruel and untrue.
Although I do not personally date a fraternity member, many of my friends do and not to mention my family members including my father ( who is my hero) are fraternity men as well. I take not only the spiteful remarks Jacob said offensively, but I also take them personally as hateful comments about my family. I cannot begin to go on about the wonderful things that Greek men have done for UWG. Philanthropy, athletics, partaking in honors societys, becoming contributing alumni and many faculty of this school only touches on it. I have had my flat tired fixed, help moving form dorm to apartment to dorm again, a shoulder to cry on when I needed it and laughs when I didn't. Greek men and women have become tudors, mentors and leaders in my life while I have been at West Georgia.
I would hate to see articles published saying stereotypical and hateful remarks about BSA, BSU, Athletics or any other group published. And I am sure they would too. Why is it okay to bash people who have not been either proven responsible nor who have ever personally attacked Jacob or his property because of his personal hate or assumptions? I guess what I am trying to get at in the lengthy letter is that Jacob is certainly entitled to his opinion. But the responsibilty of the West Georgian is to inform students about whats going on and maybe open up discussion for opinion forums about issues on campus. It should not be used for members of the staff or anyone to place blame not only without evidence, but with direct intentions to say hurtful things about people on campus. I am disappointed and appalled at the integrity of the editors and obviously at the pig-headedness of Jacob Lovell himself.
-Katherine Haas
khaas1@my.westga.edu
First, I want to state that I completely agree with the right to freedom of speech. Secondly, the article unfairly slanders all members
of fraternity; calling them rapists and alcoholics. If I read the article right it is seemingly in response to someone keying the authors car. However, the author admits he is unaware of who actually committed the crime. So, the author just makes the assumption that the person whom committed the crime is a member of a fraternity and then out of anger and emotion claims that fraternity members take advantage of young women after getting them drunk. This article is not only offensive slander with no basis but it is flat out false.
Why don't you just worry about your own problems. People have better things to do then go keying RA's cars. Maybe it was someone from your hall...there's a weird thought.
-Joseph (Trip) Pognant
jpognan1@my.westga.edu
A response to "Buck Futter" After reading your article I would like to extend congratulations on your superior use of sarcasm. Portraying yourself as "Buck Futter" (great play on words bud) in the fraternity Sigma Omicron Beta (S.O.B, again you have a gift, sir) was indeed a fun read. However, being a brother in the Chi Phi Fraternity, I found some inconsistencies with your article. While I recognize that you have your opinion about "frats" I would like to correct you on a few points. But let me first acknowledge a fact that you pointed out about a brother of mine, Brandon Faulkner.
Reading your article was the first I have heard about this incident. At this fraternity, as well as the other fraternities on campus, we do not condone this sort of behavior and offer our apologies to the victim of this unsolicited message. Now moving on to your misinformed article. First, blindly assuming that a member of a fraternity keyed that car shows your close mindedness. Of course a "frat guy" must of written fag on a car plastered with anti-government bumper stickers (yes I have seen the car after I dropped off my "totally easy" sorority girlfriend).
Never mind the non fraternity members of this predominately conservative county that would take offense to the slogans on the car. Not condoning the vandalism that took place, but in Carroll County if you have "I Hate Government" and anarchy bumper stickers on your car, you are asking for trouble. Secondly, I wish to address the whole "pay for friends" aspect of fraternity life. Yes fraternities have dues - to cover expenses for houses, bills, philanthropies and parties. However, we do not pay for each others friendship. Fraternities are value based organizations. Fraternities were formed, and maintained, by people who share similar values which bond the respective members of fraternities as brothers. Perhaps it is because of these values, not our irresponsible alcoholic tendencies, that allows us to become prominent leaders of society. Also members of fraternities are exceptional leaders on this "no-name regional public university." While I appreciate the dedication it takes to write in the opinion column of the school newspaper, various fraternity members are taking charge of this university (SGA President).
This directly counters the "lack of responsibility" that you describe in your article. I would like to address your stereotypical slanderous remarks about fraternities which again shows your ignorance. However there are truths in stereotypes. At other schools members of fraternities have used substances to take advantage of women. Thankfully, this has not happened on this campus. Raping a drunk passed out woman is not included the values of my fraternity(or any other fraternity) and because of these values I can honestly say that no one at the Alpha Zeta chapter of the Chi Phi Fraternity would rape a woman or "subdue any sense of conscience" if they saw such an act happening. I am sure this goes the same for the other fraternities on campus. Also it is true that most of the fraternity members on campus enjoy the thrills of alcohol. However, to blindly classify a "frat guy" as a raging alcoholic who run "around like dumbasses every Thursday night" "hazing new members", "vandalizing university property" majoring in a "bullshit" degree and who has sexual relations with his fraternity brothers, truly illustrates your lack of knowledge about the Greek community.
Instead of harassing you because of your ignorance, I extend an open invitation for you to visit the Chi Phi Fraternity house for a party or even to just hang out and see the true side of the fraternity world. Perhaps after your visit you will write a better informed article about Greek life. Sincerely,
-Morgan Crook
mcrook1@my.westga.edu
Be the first to comment on this article!