2008 Woodie Awards
To the Editor
Misconceptions of Colgate's Res. Ed. Vision
Adam Weinberg
Issue date: 4/15/05 Section: Commentary
- Page 1 of 1
To the Editor:
Freedom of speech is a value that Colgate holds dear, but with free speech comes responsibility. To engage in civil, serious debate, those voicing an opinion have the responsibility to do so in a respectful and, most importantly, truthful manner. Over the past several months, some groups seeking to undo Colgate's plan for Broad Street have failed to live up to this responsibility by manipulating the issues and distorting facts. I want to clear up some misinformation.
* Colgate is not planning to eliminate the Greek system. The university has spent two years working with Greek-letter students and alumni to make the system work and expects to have ten active fraternities and sororities next year.
* DKE is the only Greek-letter organization with an active undergraduate chapter not to enter into an agreement to transfer ownership of its house to Colgate. Alumni of Beta, DU, Sigma Chi and Gamma Phi Beta have approved the transfer ownership of their houses to Colgate and Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Theta Chi have agreed to transfer ownership and plan to complete their voting this weekend. Colgate will provide housing for Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Phi Kappa Tau beginning in the fall.
* Members of unrecognized fraternities and sororities will not be stopped from associating or gathering. Members of those organizations will continue to be recognized as brothers or sisters and will be treated the same way as every other student. However, the university will not allow them to recruit new members. DKE brothers have been told as much on several occasions.
* Colgate is not violating student rights. As President Chopp wrote in a letter that appeared in last week's Maroon-News, as a private institution, Colgate has the right and responsibility to set policies to ensure that we provide students with the best possible education. Just as we establish standards for what happens in the classroom, as a residential college, we establish standards for residential, athletic and other extra-curricular activities.
I am encouraged by the positive work being done by students on the Broad Street Community Council including many members of fraternities and sororities who are working with the university to build a Broad Street program. They have done great work.
Our residential system is strongeer than it was two years ago. It will be even stronger next year.
Adam Weinberg
Dean of the College
Freedom of speech is a value that Colgate holds dear, but with free speech comes responsibility. To engage in civil, serious debate, those voicing an opinion have the responsibility to do so in a respectful and, most importantly, truthful manner. Over the past several months, some groups seeking to undo Colgate's plan for Broad Street have failed to live up to this responsibility by manipulating the issues and distorting facts. I want to clear up some misinformation.
* Colgate is not planning to eliminate the Greek system. The university has spent two years working with Greek-letter students and alumni to make the system work and expects to have ten active fraternities and sororities next year.
* DKE is the only Greek-letter organization with an active undergraduate chapter not to enter into an agreement to transfer ownership of its house to Colgate. Alumni of Beta, DU, Sigma Chi and Gamma Phi Beta have approved the transfer ownership of their houses to Colgate and Phi Delta Theta, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Theta Chi have agreed to transfer ownership and plan to complete their voting this weekend. Colgate will provide housing for Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Phi Kappa Tau beginning in the fall.
* Members of unrecognized fraternities and sororities will not be stopped from associating or gathering. Members of those organizations will continue to be recognized as brothers or sisters and will be treated the same way as every other student. However, the university will not allow them to recruit new members. DKE brothers have been told as much on several occasions.
* Colgate is not violating student rights. As President Chopp wrote in a letter that appeared in last week's Maroon-News, as a private institution, Colgate has the right and responsibility to set policies to ensure that we provide students with the best possible education. Just as we establish standards for what happens in the classroom, as a residential college, we establish standards for residential, athletic and other extra-curricular activities.
I am encouraged by the positive work being done by students on the Broad Street Community Council including many members of fraternities and sororities who are working with the university to build a Broad Street program. They have done great work.
Our residential system is strongeer than it was two years ago. It will be even stronger next year.
Adam Weinberg
Dean of the College