Editor:

I am writing in response to Dzifa Job’s Jan. 30 column concerning Greek life.

As a freshman, I joined a Greek organization. My goal? To have fun and make friends. Shockingly, it wasn’t to give lap dances or attend orgies, as Ms. Job believes it is. In my career as a Greek, I have never attended an orgy; this isn’t Animal House, it’s Loyola.

I found fun, friendship, and more. When I became a Greek, I became a part of a community. The National Panhellenic Council and the Interfraternal Council, two governing bodies for all Greeks, have councils consisting of delegates from every Greek organization and is very united.

Ms. Job claimed that Greeks lack “defined purpose.” Philanthropy is a defined purpose. Greeks raise money for different organizations and support each other. You can find someone from every Greek organization at Gamma Phi’s Softball Tournament, Theta Phi’s Grass Volleyball Tournament, Alpha Chi’s “Take back the Night,” and Delta Gamma’s Ultimate Frisbee Tournament. Greeks unite during Greek Week to raise money. Past benefactors include Pediatric Aids and the Red Cross. They were happy to receive thousands of dollars we collectively raised.

Ms. Job gave the suggestion that we disband and become one organization with one goal. She suggested that we shed our multicolored shirts and the “mini-tribe” mindset. To counter her suggestion, I only need one word: pride. When we don our shirts, we do so with an enormous amount of pride – pride in knowing we are part of a group of people who share our ideals and strive for the same goals we strive for.

Finally, we are not clubs. Not everyone can meet the standards necessary to achieve the goals set by Greeks. Ms. Job said, however, that Greek organizations are exclusive on the basis of race, gender, and financial status; I will address these issues.

The issue of race is moot, as I am a minority and a Greek. The issue of gender also is irrelevant, as there are organizations that both men and women can join. Finally concerning the issues of financial status; these organizations require money to operate. Dues are nothing to be ashamed of, but rather Greeks proudly pay dues, because they know that they fund the interests that they have dedicated themselves to.

Greeks share a pride in knowing they are members of groups that promote high ideals and yet are united in promoting the Greek purpose.

~ Tina Cordova, Political science junior