2008 Woodie Awards
Time to End the Colgate-F.A.C.T. Falsehoods: A Fresh Look at Hot Issues
Shooting From The Right
Scott Krummey
Issue date: 4/22/05 Section: Commentary
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Since the F.A.C.T crew insists that its cause is relevant to every Colgate student, I think it is important to weigh in on the University-Greek situation. To be honest, it has often been disheartening to be a student in Hamilton during the last few weeks. It seems that tensions long-growing on this campus have finally erupted into a massive war of words and actions - and unfortunately not all of them are grounded in reality.
Yes, the protection of property rights is a legitimate issue for college students across the nation, Colgate included. True, the University has chosen to take a hard-line approach in its New Vision for Residential Education. The real problem is, however, that F.A.C.T. recklessly couples the real issue at hand, property rights of the Greek Organizations, with the First Amendment rights of the entire student body. In reality, the connection between these two principles is weak - but the F.A.C.T. crowd somehow considers them one and the same. In theory, University ownership of Greek property could lead to complete dissolution of the Greek system; it could lead to the complete academic and social oppression of all Colgate students; it could lead to the end of independent thought in the world. It could also lead to an altered, but intact and healthy, Greek Community - one that is not the same as it was in 1980 because it is, in fact, 2005. The bottom line is that the University denies any ulterior motive for owning the Greek property and has acted completely in line with this stance, despite the hypotheticals tossed around by Colgate-F.A.C.T.
What is most-frustrating is that Colgate-F.A.C.T.'s campaign consists mainly of emotional appeals and half-truths aimed at damaging the University as a whole. Some of the tactics employed to garner support have been feeble: going door to door to solicit signatures is fine, but I am willing to bet that most students would sign anything shoved in their face - if for nothing more than to avoid conflict. Also, holding a rally on April Visit Days last week was a tasteless choice. The timing was a great way to get attention, but the negative mood generated for prospective and current students alike on such an important day was detrimental to both the University and the Greek system. Perhaps ironically, the F.A.C.T. website contains two quotations from students in the Class of 2009 - words from the mouth of 17-year old high school students who have zero experience at Colgate, or any other college, are relevant ringing endorsements for the cause.
Yes, the protection of property rights is a legitimate issue for college students across the nation, Colgate included. True, the University has chosen to take a hard-line approach in its New Vision for Residential Education. The real problem is, however, that F.A.C.T. recklessly couples the real issue at hand, property rights of the Greek Organizations, with the First Amendment rights of the entire student body. In reality, the connection between these two principles is weak - but the F.A.C.T. crowd somehow considers them one and the same. In theory, University ownership of Greek property could lead to complete dissolution of the Greek system; it could lead to the complete academic and social oppression of all Colgate students; it could lead to the end of independent thought in the world. It could also lead to an altered, but intact and healthy, Greek Community - one that is not the same as it was in 1980 because it is, in fact, 2005. The bottom line is that the University denies any ulterior motive for owning the Greek property and has acted completely in line with this stance, despite the hypotheticals tossed around by Colgate-F.A.C.T.
What is most-frustrating is that Colgate-F.A.C.T.'s campaign consists mainly of emotional appeals and half-truths aimed at damaging the University as a whole. Some of the tactics employed to garner support have been feeble: going door to door to solicit signatures is fine, but I am willing to bet that most students would sign anything shoved in their face - if for nothing more than to avoid conflict. Also, holding a rally on April Visit Days last week was a tasteless choice. The timing was a great way to get attention, but the negative mood generated for prospective and current students alike on such an important day was detrimental to both the University and the Greek system. Perhaps ironically, the F.A.C.T. website contains two quotations from students in the Class of 2009 - words from the mouth of 17-year old high school students who have zero experience at Colgate, or any other college, are relevant ringing endorsements for the cause.