When Sigma Phi Epsilon and Phi Kappa Psi took underage rushees out drinking, both the current and prospective members knew they were in the wrong. They understood they were breaking the rules, and they knew there would be a hefty punishment if they were caught. Even so, Loyola’s decision to punish the two fraternities by ending their rush season can only be described as excessive.

While providing underage students with alcoholic beverages is certainly misconduct, it is only a minor violation in the scope of things. On a national scale, fraternities are plagued with severe problems such as hazing, brutal injuries to rushees and widespread alcohol poisoning. Severe punishment should be reserved for handling issues such as these, not to discipline the drinking practices characteristic of almost every fraternity in existence.

By national standards, fraternities at Loyola are remarkably well-behaved. They are, at least ostensibly, acting in accordance with most of the rules governing Greek life, especially those that are most important to ensuring the well-being of rushees and fraternity members. Sig Ep and Phi Psi obviously acted in poor judgment when they chose to consume alcohol with underage rushees, but this mistake should be kept in perspective.

There is a great range of punishments Loyola could have exacted against the offending fraternities, but the university chose one of the most severe. Ending rush season for Sig Ep and Phi Psi was overly harsh and, quite simply, unwarranted. Punishments such as social probation, fraternity-wide fines or community service requirements are not only more suited for the severity of the crime but also for the type of crime itself. For instance, social probation would limit the fraternities’ social events and parties, a punishment seemingly tailor-made to handle drinking violations.

It is important to keep in mind that Loyola’s decision is not simply excessive by our standards, but it is also disproportionately harsh when compared to national standards for punishment and Loyola’s own history of disciplining Greek organizations. In the past and at other institutions, violations such as those perpetrated by Sig Ep and Phi Psi have been handled with milder punishments, while eliminating rush season has been rightfully reserved for extreme misconduct.

There is no doubt that Sig Ep and Phi Psi acted inappropriately and that some form of punishment is deserved. However, the end result of this saga is that the two largest fraternities have been barred from rush season on a campus where fraternity life is withering.

It is a shame it has come to this, especially when other avenues were open to the university.