To the Editor:
In Friday's "Verbum Ultimum," (The Dartmouth, November 19) The Dartmouth Editorial Board wrote of the inevitability of hazing in the Greek system, claiming that "some rules are meant to be broken" and that "hazing ... is an inevitable component of Greek life ..." As president of Phi Tau coeducational fraternity, I was horrified to read this perpetuation of some of the worst stereotypes about the Greek system, and even more disgusted that The Dartmouth staff apparently believes that it is impossible to separate the Greek system from hazing.
Phi Tau's official creed is "Unitas in Diversitate" (Unity in Diversity), but we also have an unofficial motto as well. When we give out a bid, we mention this motto. At rush events, we tell prospective members this motto. And we live this motto. It is: "You don't have to, but you can if you want to."
We have NO special requirements for pledges. No backpacks to carry around, no signs around the neck, and they can come and go from the house as they darn well please. Do we have house traditions? Certainly. But every single one of them is optional and we stress that fully at every opportunity.
Hazing within Greek houses is not a required part of the system.