Everyone needs to know the facts about fraternity culture and its often devastating effects. Research done on fraternities strongly supports banning, or at least desegregating, social fraternities.

Numerous studies on fraternity members have been done from 1985 to 1994 by sociologists Martin and Hummer at Florida State, Frintner and Rubinson at the University of Illinois, Peggy Reeves Sanday in her groundbreaking book "Fraternity Gang Rape" and others.

University of Illinois sociologists found that "although only 25 percent of the men on campus belonged to fraternities, 63 percent of rapes that were reported were committed by fraternity members, and 71 percent of the cases of sexual abuse were reported to be committed by fraternity members. (About) 40 percent of the reported cases of sexual abuse and nearly 25 percent of the cases of sexual assault occurred in fraternity houses." Martin and Hummer found fraternity members’ over-representation among rapists was due to their emphasis on an oppressive view of masculinity.

During rush, they usually weed out sensitive and empathetic men, leaving a group of men who have the macho attitudes that form the foundation of violence against women. Many of these men are preoccupied with "toughness", alcohol use, competition, athletics, homophobia, use of pornography and the treatment of women as sexual prey. Good grades and community service are OK, but Martin and Hummer found that masculinity is the real focus.

Pledging often includes violence, otherwise known as "hazing." Potential members who are hazed must show they are loyal by enduring physical abuse and rigid subordination to superior members, Martin and Hummer found. Those not "tough" enough are not accepted by the pack. These are the same tests used by street gangs.

Most fraternity members are not rapists, and not all of them protect the ones who are. But a much higher percentage of rapes by college students are perpetrated by frat members than other college men. Sanday found societies with institutions segregated by gender are much more rape-prone than other societies. Fraternities add to the rape crisis.

Since about 60 percent of victims and perpetrators of a rape had been drinking at the time, the Brown University Digest of Addiction Theory says, it is easy to see how the higher than average drinking found in fraternity houses increases their rape rate. Drinking, whether frat or non-frat, increases the likelihood of rape, but frat members are some of the heaviest drinkers on campus. Moreover, fraternities are often characterized by loyalty and secrecy. Members must protect the group from criticism, which can mean lying to the authorities about rape.

Some may argue these men will be on campus committing rape anyway, whether they’re in a fraternity or not. The experts say it is the fraternity culture that makes them even more dangerous. The all-male group dynamic of fraternities intensifies the problem. Fraternity men often encourage one another to commit violence, Martin and Hummer found. Some may say this isn’t a problem at the University, but frat men here have been accused of rape.

Rapes are frequently unreported by victims and secrecy among frat members is a problem, so the scope of the problem is probably much larger than we know. You just have to look at recent stories in any newspaper to see there is a crime problem with fraternities. We should not demand potential victims avoid fraternities, because it is the man’s responsibility not to rape. It is clear fraternities must be abolished on campus.

This university does not do nearly enough to prevent rape by fraternity members. Fraternity "monitors" are usually buddies with fraternity members. In addition, fraternity alumni give hefty contributions to the University, so if the University did the responsible thing and abolished the Greek system, it would lose a lot of money. Money is more important than the safety of the majority-female student population at the University.

We need to demand University administrators abolish the Greek system or desegregate them. Their present arrangement is not compatible with an academic institution. I encourage other students to not rush, especially men, who need to show certain fraternity members what real men are all about.

– Daneé Attebury is a sophomore in political science.