Should colleges allow fraternities and sororities?

issue prior to revisions:

Viz is the man.

Yeah, that looks good to me.

I'm happy with Viz's suggestion.

The issue is worthwhile, though there seems no way to say it to everyone's satisfaction. How about: 

"Should colleges allow fraternities and sororities?"

I could write an essay on each of the included and omitted words, but will skip it, except to suggest that "college" focuses on undergraduate education, which is, I believe, where the issue is primarily focused.

I think the wording is backwards... if there's a movement to "not" permit them, then we should ask that....

"Should universities forbid (or whatever word)..."

And if there isn't a better term than "greek" whatever, I'd also add sororities to the text.

We have to nit-pick as much as possible before an issue is approved so that people don't bitch about it afterwards. You and I and everyone with some sense may know what we're talking about, but unfortunately, that leaves a lot of people out.

Is "college" more of a catch-all term than "university?" I don't really know what the difference is, though I know there is one. If not, I'm fine with Marina's suggested wording. Even if so, I'm fine with it.

Re: the linkage between fraternities and sororities, you may have heard that sororities are now purging ugly ethnic minorities from their ranks... Greek violence comes in many forms.

Aren't most fraternities/sororities in some way endorsed or "housed" by a school, even if they're technically off-campus?

Also, I'm being technical here, but shouldn't we add "colleges" since I assume there's Greek life at schools that only offer undergrad degrees?

How about "Should colleges and universities sanction fraternities and sororities?"

Yeah, I think "Greek organization" is a bit too ambiguous; could be a club for Greek-Americans or people studying the language.

It's definitely happening, check it. "Greek life"  is the preferred catch-all term,  but obviously the term introduces some ambiguity … can we trust people to understand that we're not talking about executing exchange students? That said, I don't think it's possible for a college to issue a blanket ban on fraternities but not sororities, so it may be a false distinction anyway. Really, in the 21st Century, women can do whatever they want in life, including hazing new fish to within an inch of their lives.  (Sorry, is "new fish" a jail word  or a frat word?) Still, Jacki is probably right, because it's her job to be.

Oops, found another problem: "on campus." What if they're off-campus?

Should universities let students join Greek organizations?

I think there is some anti-sorority feeling because of their exclusionary nature and sometimes humiliating (if not dangerous) hazing rites.

Are the schools that are banning fraternities also banning sororities ? If so, then both should be included in the question.

why forbid sororities? are sororities killing pledges?  i don't like "and" issues becaue i might think that fraternities should be banned because of the violence caused by some and not have a problem with sororities at all.  if everyone feels we must include both then should we broaden to a term that encompasses both and then let people make the distinctions in their blogs?

I don't think the schools that have them already existing on campus will kick them off of campus. I went to a smaller school and we had 6 or 8 fraternities.  That said, I do think it is an interesting topic. I wonder what politicians, celebrities and such think about this.

PS - propose "fraternities AND SORORITIES"

It happened on Veronica Mars - and there was hell to pay, brother. More and more schools, mostly the smaller ones, are eliminating them because they cause more problems than they are worth, in the schools' eyes. I do wonder, though, if this issue implies there is some kind of movement towards a global ban on Greek life, which I don't think there is. I think we're probably fine.

Not certain this topic has legs. Has anyone proposed forbidding them?