The Connector
The Connector
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Much of what some people know about Greek life comes only from the movies. A keg here, a party there or a moment of wondering if “Stomp the Yard” really was an accurate portrayal of the pledging process at some universities. Students at SCAD who do know about Greek life may be graduate or transfer students and may have experienced a liberal arts education elsewhere. Sitting down with Dean Art Malloy, a fraternity member himself, the question arose as to whether the students of SCAD want and/or need the presence of Greek life at their school.

“Yes, it is possible,” Malloy started slowly, “but, is it probable? Then, my answer is ‘no’ at this time.” For some, this answer may come as a surprise, but the answer is rooted in SCAD’s ability to be one of the top art schools to place students in a formidable career path. “We are an intensive school,” he stated. “I would compare this institution to a law school or [medical] school … this is a professional school,” he maintained. Malloy’s attitude toward the idea of Greek life does not have any negative connotations, but stems from being aware of the pros and cons from his own undergraduate experience. “I have no illusions about what joining a fraternity and sorority are about. I know what it is and what it isn’t — the pros and cons,” he stated. “I know they aren’t right for every institution,” he added.

Students also expressed their views on possible Greek life at SCAD. Jamil Green, a fourth year interactive and system development student, commented on his ideas of sororities and fraternities. “I probably would have wanted to see [about joining a fraternity] … I would have liked to see a little more social life.” Green went on to say that joining a fraternity or other organization at SCAD probably would not interfere with his ambition to graduate; he would be used to the stress, especially with his class workload.

Looking into the pros and cons of Greek life, some students may be afraid of the process of joining. The possibility of hazing turns many away from even considering joining an organization. Terra Evans, a second year visual communications and advertising student, once attended Auburn University. She refused to take part in any activity where hazing was allowed and where people her own age were “telling her what to do.” Yet, she also stated that while Greek life wasn’t for her, joining a sorority or fraternity can be fun because of the parties, social activities and community service events.

Malloy also related to Evans’ sentiments regarding Greek life, taking into consideration the positive aspects of Greek organizations as well as the negative. The positive nature of the fraternities and sororities is “consistent with SCAD’s mission” of scholastic achievement and networking. Yet, the need for them is not great because these tasks are being achieved by students anyway. Malloy asserted that SCAD’s reputation is directly connected to whom the school is committed: its students.

Omar Richardson, a member of Phi Beta Sigma — a historically black fraternity — and graduate of SCAD with a MA in commercials and MFA in printmaking, believes that the students at SCAD who are already Greek should come together and “demonstrate community service that frats and sororities are supposed to be about.” Richardson pledged his fraternity as an undergraduate student at Savannah State University in Savannah, Georgia.

While some students may like the idea of Greek life at SCAD, administrators “are more focused on getting students jobs and realize that other social activities can come later,” Malloy elaborated. Yet, Malloy does admit that “SCAD is thirty-one years old and as we grow and continue to grow … we can anticipate more.”