2008 Woodie Awards
No more raids: A changing Greek system here at UNH
Sarah Senna
Issue date: 11/7/06 Section: News
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UNH's transitioning Greek system recently ousted the familiar raids, which are parties where a sorority and fraternity partner up and plan a themed event for their members. This elimination was due to an already existing rule in the National Panhellenic handbook.
"In the national body of sororities, the handbook's social policy says that sororities are not allowed to co-sponsor an event without a third party vendor," explained Amanda Whalen, president of the Panhellenic Council.
Though some have been upset by this change, Paul Ramsay, the newly appointed interim coordinator for Greek affairs, said that this should not have come as a surprise to people.
"We are putting ourselves at a huge risk for lawsuits by having these raids when the handbook says that we cannot. We must comply with these rules immediately. I don't make the rules; I just make Greeks aware of rules that already exist," Ramsay said.
In mentioning lawsuits, Ramsay is alluding to the 1996 incident, when Todd Cruikshank, an 18-year-old freshman, fell off of the roof of the Acacia fraternity house and died. As a result, the fraternity was shut down.
Ramsay said he does not want to see an incident like this happen again to UNH students. He says this rule is being enforced for the protection and safety of students.
"I want safe social events," Ramsay said. "When we follow all of the rules it may mean less parties, but not the complete loss of parties all together."
Marshall Daly, president of the Interfraternity Council, says partying is not the main priority of the UNH Greek system.
"It's about brotherhood and sisterhood for life," he said.
Whalen added to this, emphasizing that UNH Greek life also promotes an academic focus, philanthropy and community involvement.
Joining a Greek house gets people involved and makes the campus seem smaller, said Brianna Craite, a sophomore and member of the sorority Chi Omega.
Ashley Basque, sophomore and member of the sorority Alpha Phi, agreed. She said that the Greek system at UNH "represents a community for people to belong to and promotes the foundation of strong friendships."
"In the national body of sororities, the handbook's social policy says that sororities are not allowed to co-sponsor an event without a third party vendor," explained Amanda Whalen, president of the Panhellenic Council.
Though some have been upset by this change, Paul Ramsay, the newly appointed interim coordinator for Greek affairs, said that this should not have come as a surprise to people.
"We are putting ourselves at a huge risk for lawsuits by having these raids when the handbook says that we cannot. We must comply with these rules immediately. I don't make the rules; I just make Greeks aware of rules that already exist," Ramsay said.
In mentioning lawsuits, Ramsay is alluding to the 1996 incident, when Todd Cruikshank, an 18-year-old freshman, fell off of the roof of the Acacia fraternity house and died. As a result, the fraternity was shut down.
Ramsay said he does not want to see an incident like this happen again to UNH students. He says this rule is being enforced for the protection and safety of students.
"I want safe social events," Ramsay said. "When we follow all of the rules it may mean less parties, but not the complete loss of parties all together."
Marshall Daly, president of the Interfraternity Council, says partying is not the main priority of the UNH Greek system.
"It's about brotherhood and sisterhood for life," he said.
Whalen added to this, emphasizing that UNH Greek life also promotes an academic focus, philanthropy and community involvement.
Joining a Greek house gets people involved and makes the campus seem smaller, said Brianna Craite, a sophomore and member of the sorority Chi Omega.
Ashley Basque, sophomore and member of the sorority Alpha Phi, agreed. She said that the Greek system at UNH "represents a community for people to belong to and promotes the foundation of strong friendships."
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