I've prepared a short webpage about my experiences as a fraternity member.
Brief introduction: undergrad ("concerned about the problem of
drinking") who signed himself onto this listserv after conducting
research for a fictional anthropology enthnography. I'm not here to prove
any particular point (except that I believe much college/alcohol
prevention rhetoric overlooks the reality of college lifestyles and
mentalities: therefore much of the drinking that occurs is in response to
attempted programs and anti/drig propoganda. In my situation, college
students feel it acceptable (I even feel comfortable saying "expected")
to engage in destructive behavior because they have the endorsement of
their peers and antidrug/antidrinking (rhetoric) is "uncool," because the
rhetoric/terminology is so often completely misinformed, sometimes even
offensive, of college lifestyles and mentalities).
That may be confusing but I've outlined my god-to-honest experiences about
internal politics of a fraternity. Also keep in mind that no alcohol is
abused during pledge activities, but it is extentively used and accepted
to the point where I consider a good number of the brothers (and the
tone of the fraternity itself) to be atypically signifigant alcohol
abusers. (Even at a school where 70%+ of undergrads are considered binge
drinkers).
Please ask me any questions that may arise.
I hope I can be a resource for you.
Andre Shoumatoff (802) 951-9532 Home (802) 656-1079 Work
University of Vermont Environmental Council and Physical Plant Department
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