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To: University of Evansville

Abolish University of Evansville Greek Life (NPC and IFC Organizations)

Abolish the IFC and NPC chapters at the University of Evansville. Dehouse the IFC Chapters at the University of Evansville.

Why is this important?

Greek Life at the University of Evansville has a history of racism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, and is inherently exclusionary.
1. It Was Founded in Racism
The Black Lives Matter movement calls for the complete overhaul of systems built on a platform of exclusion. Greek life began as an exclusive white student union intended to advance the institutions’ most privileged attendees at the cost of students of color.
2. Most Students are Not Qualified to Reform
A reform effort would require the active participation of ALL members of ALL IFC/PHC chapters. Considering the despicable stories of blatant racism, sexual violence, and more, why should these same people be entrusted with reforming a system that privileges them?
3. Self-enforcement Does Not Work
As is the decentralized nature of power of the IFC and PHC, the councils have very little substantive power. While the most committed members of the community may hold leadership positions and work very hard on plans for change, the most that they can realistically do for the majority of rules is make “suggestions.” Because Greek life breeds a toxic level of loyalty to an organization and its members, the enforcement of new policies can never fully be enforced.
4. BIPOC Students Cannot Be Properly Compensated
The difficult process of reform cannot be done without centering voices of color, particularly Black voices, however, to do so once again places undue burden on these members of the community. Students of color cannot be expected to take the lead in this immense task without proper compensation, yet not a single DEI plan offers any such measures.
5. The System Requires Binary Gender
The system requires a binary relationship with gender. Even if both systems became more inclusive of transgender students who it largely alienates at the present, non-binary students with ALWAYS be forced to buy into a false dichotomy if they want to join.
6. Greek Life Will Always Exclude
No matter how much reform happens, Greek life is a system based on judgement. Greek life and the general student body will always experience significant stratification because membership is contingent upon nothing more than personality and social presence, someone will always be deemed not good enough, no matter what the reason behind that decision is.