The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-08-04

Association With men Of his own fraternity
after graduation often proves also TO be
OF great value TO a mar In a business way.
Besides all this alumni always have the
freedom OF the chapter house when return
ing 10 their own college at commence
ment time or on the occasion Of an athletic
contest.
But with all its advantages the modern
college fraternity has its faults. Il not
~tnfrequently boosts a man into a position
to which his merits do not entitle him.
The sin Of extravaganza. with which fra
t~ernities are often charged. In less common
perhaps than Ia supposed. Fine houses
erected by alumni subscriptions need not
imply expensive habits. They are built
TO give dignity and weight to the chapters
name.
Occasionally the societies which own
them are SO heavily endowed that no dues
beyond the initiation fee are required Of
members. This makes possible the cleo
ton OF desirable men whose purses are
small.
But more frequently the erection Of fine
houses tends to a condition that In
perhaps a chief evil in the situation. A
chapter building a house generally finds it
necessary TO borrow. This places a heavy
financial burden on the active membership.
To obviate this the house is built with
living accommodations for a large proper
ton Of members. the increased revenue
from rentals making it an easy matter to
carry the obligation and eventually pay
1t Oh. As u result, where a dozen years
ago 1t was exceptional to ave more than
seven men out Of twenty-five or 90 room
ing at the house. the newer lodges arc built
to house from fifteen to twenty or sven
more.
When men eat. sleep and study in thu
same house IL is clear that in the end II
viii become harder for them to mingle
with their other fellow students. This
tendency IL growing 10 that there are
many leaders in educational work who
believe hat eventually-ffty OF a hundred
years hence, perhaps-the f~raternities win
resolve themselves into separate colleges,
~ at Oxford and Cambridge. It is not an
unusual thing at the present time for
graduate neutrality-suspicious. for the
masters ~degree-to be living in the fra
ternity house in the capacity Of advisor
and tutor to the undergraduate members.
In this the prophets zee the nucleus Of a
separate faculty.
With all the criticism Of the fraternity
system II is an interesting fact that thirty
or forty years ago. before the question had
attracted the attention Of the outside world.
open hostility between the fraternity and
non-fraternity elements was not uncom-
mon. actual rows even taking place, while
to-day the two are on the friendliest Of
terms. The fraternity man 10 careful that
his manner shall betray no suggestion Of
distinction between the two. and IL the
subject comes up in conversation it 10
mentioned in a humorous. matter Of fact
way that carries no offence.
Extreme secrecy has disappeared and
fraternity men and neutrals frequently
laugh together over some funny incident
that happened up at the house" They
are frequently each others guests at meal
time. Therefore many of those who are
in touch with academic life are inclined
TO ridicule the fears Of some modern critics.
The American college fraternity has been
developing for more than seventy-ive
years. and during that time has rid itself
Of it's worst evils, they say.