And I believe he kept copies of his letters.
“Defends hazing
It seems that every time I read an article in the News-Post about college fraternities or sororities, the tone of the article is decidedly negative. “Frat member floats kitten in punch,” (April 15, 1983) continues that unfortunate tradition.
As a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, one of our nation’s oldest and most prestigious sororities, I am continually dismayed by attempts of the media and other outsiders to disparage the Greek System. I am specially incensed at vitriolic attacks on our practices of “hazing,” which non-Greeks fail to realize serve numerous valuable functions that I would like to briefly enumerate.
First of all, hazing strengthens the mettle of pledges by preparing them for the many trials they will surely face in later life. Secondly, hazing builds loyalty to the pledge class and to the overall organization. Last, but not least, hazing is the final stage of the all-important weeding-out process.
Charges that actives are to blame for accidental injuries which sometimes occur during pledge hazing are totally without foundation. No active ever forces any pledge or initiate to do anything in a sorority or fraternity — an individual is free to depledge at any time.
Charges that hazing and other related activities are detrimental to the academic performance of pledges obviously come from individuals who don’t realize that the primary education in a college or university environment doesn’t come from reading a book or sitting in a classroom, but rather from dynamically interacting with one’s peers.
No one ever hears non-Greeks laud the accomplishments of those within their ranks, yet the proud Halls of American History are lined with men and women who were members of fraternities and sororities. No matter what the press may say about us, I’m still proud to be in a sorority, proud to be counted among our country’s very best.
NANCY L. HAIGWOOD
10265 Ridgeline Drive, Gaithersburg