For every story there are two sides. There are two point of views. There are more players than an outsider will ever realize. I would like to tell you my side of the story. I was the one that brought this whole situation to light. I am not a member of either organizations. I just happened to be at the wrong place at the right time. I came forward with this story a couple weeks ago to members of the administration. Immediately they asked me for details and to bring all evidence to them ASAP. I gathered everything I could and brought it to them on that Wednesday. The minute I turned everything over the officials began working on reviewing all the details. I was assured that everything would be taken care of. I trusted that things would be dealt with in a professional manner. A week later I was called back in and thanked for bringing this to the administration’s attention. Over the course of a week I witnessed multiple Greek leaders brought in and out of the office. None ever left with a smile. I overheard one student, who just hangs out in OSE a lot, say “Not a good time to be Greek”. I laughed it off but I had no idea what he meant. I would like to take time and stop and say that I did not bring this up to trash Greek life or ruin anyone’s life. I just wasn’t raised in a place where stuff like this would fly. So fast forward to last week. I passed by some administrators who again thanked me for doing the right thing. However none of us could know what was about to happen. This whole article has been disastrous. I feel like people blame the administrators for “not responding”, when in reality they have been so proactive it isn’t funny. I didn’t bring this to the Free Press and I do not know who did. All I know is that I whole heartedly disagree with any assertion that these administrators haven’t worked very hard. Between the shooting and this situation they all seem so tense. I do not really know the administration that well, but if I had a better relationship with them I would have told them I was sending this out. Not to get notoriety but instead to set the record straight. This investigation has gone on for more than a month. This isn’t new. No punishment that comes out of it is because of public outcry but instead because of the system the school set up doing their job. They are tied down by legal restrictions and professional ethics. I am not. I am sorry for the damage this has caused to the school’s reputation. My question to those that have brought this to light are why now? Why after a near tragedy? Why not wait a week or two? Regardless the investigation will conclude soon and I have no shame in what I brought to light. Just ashamed of how certain news groups twisted it. Thank you for your time.
Editor’s Note: This story has been under investigation by the McDaniel Free Press for a few weeks. We had a tight deadline for our print issue; it was scheduled to be released on campus on Wednesday regardless of any events that happened this weekend.
The McDaniel Free Press cares about McDaniel College and would not do anything to purposely harm the students, faculty, or administration.
If this person actually hung out with both parties, they would know that neither organization is racist, or had any racially charged motive to make this a theme. Both of the groups are actually the most diverse Greek organizations on campus. The theme was set because rap/hip-hop and country are two popular genres of music. Whether or not this person meant to, they made everyone who wears letters a target. McDaniel already doesn’t promote Greek Life, even though many of the school’s donors were Greek. Also,Greek life serves the community, as well as aids the schools retention rate. Both organizations have minorities, and both groups had minorities in attendance to the event. Why don’t we go and “snitch” on the people who shot out the windows in Whiteford, rather than cause a blow up on and off campus over a college party.
This could not be more spot-on Dr. NO
actually the fraternities are more diverse than the sororities and all lettered organization aren’t being targeted just the ones in the article. I don’t understand why you are trying to put these two organization on a pedestal, but other organization serve the community as well. They did not mean to be portrayed as racially insensitive, but they did embarrass the school and greek-life in general. Greeks should be treated like every other organization on campus no exceptions. They are just like everybody else and to think they are not like everyone else in regards to the rules is morally unacceptable.
Well, congrats on completely destroying Greek Life. No, seriously, good job.
greeks should learn how to keep stuff that is unbecoming of a greek individual off of social media. If you don’t know how to keep your dirty laundry hidden then don’t do inappropriate things that you know you might get in trouble for if it were to get out. Greek life shouldn’t think they are above rules because if you do stuff like this happens. Think before you act. At first I thought wow this is pretty harsh measurements taken by everyone over this party, but now since its out in the open and some people are actually for no little type of punishment for the situation, I really hope that these two sorority lose their charter because this is not the first time themed parties like this one has gone down and it won’t be the last. Lastly I applaud the two people who had the balls to address this issue!
Yeah man, theme parties are the worst. How dare people dress in a theme, condoning stereotypes. How offended jews and muslims must be during ugly sweater parties. And decade parties, wooooow, its like they think everyone who lived in the 50’s wore poodle skirts.
Greek never think they are above the rules, in fact, when something is going wrong, we’re often the first to blame. Why can’t we post pictures of us dressing up just because were greek?Should we not post our halloween costumes either? Why don’t you get off your high horse and see it for what it was: A COSTUME PARTY.
Last time I checked I didn’t think that the organizations you pledged supported parties where you dress up in immature costumes. If Greeks actually took to heart what they pledged to uphold in their organization’s mission statement then this incident would have never happened.
Stereotypes are thoughts or beliefs about certain groups. Prejudice is a (usually negative) feeling about certain groups. Discrimination is taking action against certain groups.
So, this partied wasn’t necessarily prejudiced or discriminatory, but stereotypes are not harmless.
Holding a party in which these stereotypes are acknowledged and seemingly celebrated is not harmless. Maybe the “diverse” people in the organizations were okay with it, but others are not.
I’m not saying the party was racist. I think it was careless, done without thinking the consequences and connotations through.
Also: Please leave Whiteford out of this. I live there, and it’s a completely separate issue, so recent that there’s not much that can be brought to light, if anything. There’s no one to “snitch.”
What I really would like to know is why one social with a racist theme has brought more regional and national spotlight to the issue when in reality almost every other social theme between fraternities and sororities is so completely and utterly SEXIST it is not even funny. Why didn’t this article touch on that? I mean if your going to trash talk some of the best people I know and completely destroy Greek life on this campus, you should probably know what you’re even talking about. I may not be a part of Phi Sigma Sigma or Phi Delta Theta, but I am Greek and I have never been more proud of my sisters and brothers in Greek life here at McDaniel.
yeah well last time I checked parties like that aren’t really becoming of the organizations they pledged too. Maybe students like you who pledge greek should actually reflect about what the organization stands for before you throw parties like this that trash the reputation of what the organization you are a part of stands for . Read the mission statements of these two greek organizations before you support them because last time I checked these organizations don’t support trashy immature themed parties. Just so you have your facts “To inspire the personal development of each sister and perpetuate the advancement of womanhood” is Phi Sigma Sigma’s mission statement and “The cultivation of friendship among its members, the acquirement individually of a high degree of mental culture, and the attainment personally of a high standard of morality.” is Phi Delta Theta’s mission statement. Now I want you think real hard…. do these mission statements reflect what there party was about or even the values set by the organization letters they wear…no. If they were true to those statements set by their founders then this party would have never happened. Yes, greek life is great, but if it turns students like you to be narrow-minded then they should completely disband greek life here at McDaniel.
While the theme of this party was poorly labeled, themed parties occur ALL THE TIME. So I really hope that the person who felt offended never dresses up like anything offensive on Halloween, which could include items such as ninjas, jocks, cheerleaders, hippies, or really anything but inanimate objects. Did this party physically harm you? Have you ever gone out of your way to report something positive about Greek life? Did you know Greek life chaired a board that raised over $30K for children treated at St. Jude’s? How about the money that has been raised for ALL kinds of charities? No one brings to light the positive aspects of Greek life anymore, which is quite unfortunate. My last thought is directed to the Free Press, your actions ALSO affect people other than yourself. You should be using discretion while determining what stories to post, due to the poor judgement McDaniel College has now been placed in a negative light to a very LARGE population of Baltimore Sun and Washington Post audiences. Bet you didn’t think that would happen by quickly posting a story about something you didn’t have all of the facts on (again).
who cares if greek alumni aren’t donating to the college anymore. Greek life doesn’t run McDaniel. After this issue that has been brought to light I can honestly say some greeks here need to get off there high horse. You aren’t special. If you care more about an organization than getting an education and a degree then I truly feel sorry for you. I find it completely sad that former greeks and present greeks think their sh***t excuse my language don’t stink. I just love how past greeks, present greeks and greek supporters are just blowing up the comment feed and writing such things that not only make them look arrogant, but narrow-minded as well. The greeks aren’t the only organization that raises money or does community service here at McDaniel. I hope that the greeks involved in the situation do get punished because maybe then they will learn humility.
The fact that many of you who are “Greek” and upset about this but can’t bring yourself to reevaluate your own values, traditions, and understandings of cultures to realize how this could upset a large part of the McDaniel community is in itself a completely separate problem. Rather than taking a step back and asking yourself, “Hey, maybe this was wrong.” or “Hey, let me try to understand why this may have offended my peers,” you almost poetically try to divert the blame to something other than yourself. The notion of, “Why isn’t this other thing being investigated?” or “What about this thing this other guy did being brought up?” is not only making you look even more intolerant and misinformed about the issue, but quite frankly, it’s childish. The fact of the matter is, a campus organization made a bad choice. Why they made such a choice, is up for debate. But the fact is, you f*cked up. Own it. Learn from it. Look yourselves in the mirror. I’m not saying it was racist, but it certainly looks that way and it makes me sad.
I only spoke of the Greek community because that is who is involved…..? The same would go if it were about a non Greek organization. While at college, classes are not the only thing you learn from and shape you. If that were the case I would have taken online classes at the local community college. It seems be me that Greeks are now being stereotyped as well?
If people seem so passionate on both sides, why are they hiding behind a pseudonym? This entire situation is being blown way out of proportion. Both Greeks and non Greeks throughout the history of this college have had off campus theme parties and will continue to do so. There is no story here. If the Free Press were the cause of this being picked up by The Sun then shame on you. This was by no means racially charged, and to claim so is irresponsible. Both Greek and non Greek alums contribute greatly to this school, so do not let the petty differences you had while in school, separate you now when these students need help. The image of out school is tainted, and we can all agree this is not good. So stop bickering and support these students, because at te end of the day they are just kids. And none of you here can claim complete innocence from making poor decisions when you were younger.