Working hard academically characterizes DU students both at DU as well as prior to being accepted at the university. That hard work in high school is often rewarded for many by attaining an academic scholarship. Almost all the time a portion of that is designated as a housing scholarship. So what’s the big deal? Often times nothing! But that situation changes dramatically if those scholarship students eager to be involved in campus life choose to do so by going “Greek.”
Unfortunately, a daunting problem faces such students, at least in economic terms. Their hard-earned scholarship money designated as housing does not transfer to Greek houses, with the exception of obtaining a waiver for the few fraternities or sororities that occupy university-owned buildings. Although living in a fraternity or sorority house, whether on campus or not, does indeed count towards the “two-year living on campus requirement,” in many cases, the housing scholarship for living on campus does not apply. Why should these school-spirited students who have earned academic recognition in a scholarship and who continue to work diligently in school to maintain their scholarship be punished solely for being willing to take part in Greek life, that the university itself condones and supports?
For example, Tri Delta and Delta Zeta, both on sorority row off campus, are eligible for accepting university housing scholarships. Delta Gamma and Gamma Phi Beta are not. Most of the fraternities, including Kappa Sigma and Lambda Chi Alpha, do accept the scholarships. The technicality that the admissions office puts forward for allowing scholarships for selected fraternities and sororities is that the ones eligible are on campus and, if not on campus, then owned by the university. Since our campus isn’t big enough to provide for all of the fraternities and sororities to either be on campus or in university-owned facilities, why should only certain students have to pay the price for that?
Gathering information from other schools as well, this inequitable circumstance seems to be addressed differently. Schools such as Saint Louis University allow their students scholarships as they rent out a certain number of floors in the dorms because their campus cannot hold Greek houses. At University of Missouri, most of the sororities do not accept university housing scholarships. However, everyone in the sororities is eligible to get a scholarship for being in the sorority to help with housing and fees. In the sororities here at DU, most applicants for such scholarships need to be at least Juniors, which would then not really be applied to living in the house and only a few select actually get these scholarships.
How can it be that living in the houses such as Delta Gamma and Gamma Phi Beta counts as being on campus, but doesn’t qualify for housing scholarships? If they won’t be lenient on the issue, then why won’t DU purchase all of the sorority houses that qualify as part of DU Greek life? What defense does the school have for maintaining this inequality?
Granted, it would take some time for DU to acquire all the facilities. Meanwhile, this “loss of scholarship” is a prime issue for current freshmen who have to choose if they will live in their Greek house next year. That “loss” likely will decide whether to stay in their sorority or fraternity or drop out only because of money issues. Who really wants or can afford to pay an extra $3000 for something they wouldn’t have to because they’ve earned those funds as part of their scholarship?
And this is not an isolated issue that only applies to a few. Everyone is affected when in addition one considers the toll of Greek fees for the student population. Are such fees and housing expenses a key factor as to why people drop their fraternity or don’t even join in the first place? We are told that the administration wants students to be involved in school activities and life in order to promote school unity and show school spirit. Being involved in Greek life is a great avenue for that involvement, allowing for a great bond between members who soon become some of the best friends one will ever have. Fraternities put on events, attend school functions together, and help the community. All of these things allow Greek life to enhance the good name of DU. Since DU shines brighter through such actions, it is unconsciable that such students should be punished for being a part of something so special by losing their housing scholarships.
You have a great argument. I completely agree that students shouldn't lose scholarship money because they wish to be more involved on campus through Greek life. In today's economy and with the school raising tuition prices, it is going to make it even tougher for those students to pay for school.
ReplyDeleteI liked how you went outside of DU to look for alternative models done by other schools. However, I didn't see a lot of evidence as to why DU does this in the first place. I think that missing detail somewhat hurts your argument because as a reader I found myself hoping that you would explain why this is a policy, but I didn't see it happen. Otherwise, a great argument for an important issue.
I would agree, Rachel, that you raise an important issue that reflects a your concerns about fairness. I think the way your frame the problem at the beginning of the post appeals effectively to this sense of the policy being inconsistent. I would also agree with Nick that providing additional information about why the university has implemented this policy would help enhance your argument, because we need to know these kinds of details to help us know what the possible solutions to this problem could be. So near the end it could be interesting to see you propose a solution, and an obvious place to start might be to suggest that this scholarship money should apply. But since these house aren't owned by the university, how could students, the Greek system, and the university figure out a system that would work for all parties? Maybe some our finance/business majors might be able to help you figure out what a plausible, workable solution might be.
ReplyDeleteYou provide a strong appeal, especially in noting that DU condones (and regulates and controls) Greek life, yet in some cases the scholarship does not apply. I am lucky enough to be in a fraternity where my housing grant does apply, but I certainly sympathize with those that do not, as this was a question I posed before even joining. I also think you make a strong case when you make note of the double standard the university has (it still considers the "off-campus" sorority and fraternity houses on-campus when convenient, i.e. when it wants to interfere and regulate the house's activities). As you consider revising your post, think about including the fact that the housing scholarship is not "housing", but is $3,000 that goes toward TUITION if a student chooses to live on campus. This angle could support your argument that the university really has no justified reason to have this unequal application of the housing scholarship among Greek life. Since the money goes toward tuition and not actually housing, why wouldn't the university accept it? (Could lead to an interesting look into the university's alleged profiteering from their overpriced campus housing, which is possibly why they have the incentive to begin with?).
ReplyDeleteI think you do a great job in your introduction of appealing to the hard-working students who have earned their scholarship, and just beause of their choice of one fraternity or sorority over another, they will lose their housing grant.
I liked that this project allowed me to write about something I really cared about. In doing so, I could really get into the writing and it seemed a lot easier than writing about something someone else wants me to write about. In writing this, I learned the techniques of writing persuasively. I learned that research has to be done to back up your argument fully which will allow the readers to trust your opinions and form their own opinions, rather than worry about getting the “full story.” Also, you cannot just write for the audience you choose. You have to keep in mind that everyone will read what you have to say, so you need to make sure your topic relates to them in some way.
ReplyDeleteTaking into account the comments posted to my blog, I need to get more information about how the policy was established and for how long it has been that way. This would help my ethos even more, and lead the readers to not have any questions. The only difficult thing about this is that the people in charge of Greek life and housing are hard to get a hold of to participate in this. Another thing I could do in revising this blog would be to possibly suggest one or two possible options for a solution.