Since its founding in 1776, the Greek-letter fraternity system has grown in both membership and infulence across the country. The University of Virginia established its first fraternity in 1852, and the Greek system has since grown in accordance with the University's increasing student population (St. Clair 4). Although 1944 was the year the Inter-fraternity Council (IFC) that governs our fraternity system today was given its power, there have been many changes since in the rushing and pledging process as the standards of society have changed. Over the last fifty years our society has followed the liberal movement to an extent and has become much less restrictive in its moral standards. Both the rushing format and pledging responsibilities conformed to the moral level of our society.
The strengthening of the IFC in 1944 made it more independent by allowing the fraternities to have a level of self-governance. This most likely allowed the fraternity system to keep pace with the evolving social scene and changing views about male-female relationships. The IFC is the organized governing body of the University of Virginia's fraternities. Usually comprised of the presidents of the various fraternities, its purpose is to further the interests of the University by promoting cooperation between the University administration and the fraternities and secondly between the fraternities themselves. Its aims and missions are thus in complete accord with the objectives of Thomas Jefferson and the school he created, since they promote understanding (St. Clair 4). The University's purpose is "to enrich the mind by stimulating and sustaining a spirit of free inquiry directed to understanding the nature of the universe and the role of mankind in it" (Undergraduate Record). In 1944 the Dean approved an IFC designed constitution that allowed the IFC to deal directly with not only violations of the Rushing Agreement, but also with infractions of the University House Rules. This allows the IFC to rule on all incidents and make and amend laws governing the fraternities. By developing the Greek system into a self-governing body, it became easier to change and update fraternity rules and codes. Although ultimately responsible to the Governing Board, an administrative body, the IFC contained young, relatively liberal minds that not only allowed change, but encouraged it (IFC Approves... 1).
With the loosening of social standards since 1944, the Rushing Agreement set forth by IFC has seen many ammendments. Rush is the process by which the students and brothers get to know each other.
In 1944, rush lasted two weeks, as opposed to our current three week process, and "each fraternity [was] limited to two hours per man per week." He was in turn allowed an additional two hours for the last Saturday, the day before Sunday Bid Day. Hours of activities were limited to 7:30 to 9:30 P.M. except on Saturday night, when perspective pledges were allowed to attend longer functions. Currently, there are no rules on hours of activity, although there are set days of no contact in which fraternity brothers and perspectives may not communicate. Furthermore, the old system required "dates [to] be made for the formal rushing period" by each perspective to schedule the times one would attend the particular functions (Inter-Fraternity Rushing... 1). This formality has since been discontinued. The social standards of the 1940's are clearly evident in the old system. It was not socially acceptable to be out late on a "school night." The students were all required to wear suits and hence were expected to act as proper gentlemen making punctual appointments. There was also much hesitation and caution in allowing young men to live away from home, and hence chaperones were required for all Greek events. However, we have not achieved total independence today, as we have continued the tradition of a "dry" rush process with no alcohol (Inter-fraternity Rushing... 1).
Society's effect on the rushing process paralleled that in the pledge process. More liberal interpretations of the alcohol laws have allowed more intoxicated activities while a tightening on the laws on individual rights have directed a downward trend in physical requirements and abuse. When a fraternity desires the membership of a particular student, they offer him a bid to become a member of the brotherhood. If he accepts and pledges, he "pays his dues" through housework and the accomplishment of traditional tasks. In 1944, the pledge term was relatively short at several months. However, these three months were very intense, and often the traditional tasks included spankings, beatings, and other physical abuse.
Although allowed in the mid-1900's, by contemporary standards this is not tolerable. Modern morals teach against physical infractions and down play the bonds of comradeship created by mutual abuse. Although some fraternities secretly continue the tradition of beatings with light spankings, it has been outlawed by the IFC to strike a pledge and generally fraternities have discontinued this heritage (Seventeen University... 1). However, the presence of alcohol at pledge functions has become much more prevalent. The local police's leniency on this issue has provided for dangerous abuse and is currently the top issue for the IFC.
Women's groups and sororities, are well behind fraternities as far as equal treatment. In 1944 there were only two women's groups, due mostly in part to the almost nonexistent female population in thestudent body. However, with the societal acceptance of higher education for women, the women's groups have since grown and are currently outnumbered 2:1 at the University, rather than the old 9:1 (Women's Groups... 1). While the sororities in the state of Virginia have achieved the right to own houses, traditional views still persist in states such as Pennsylvania where sorority houses are outlawed as brothels. The Women's Rights Movement has yet to effectively touch on the Greek system of fraternities and sororities and thus, women's groups have much catching up to do.
By: Matthew Bayley