The plight of campus Greeks
Dear Editor,
I want to thank you for your article concerning the dying Greek Life at USM. I have been involved with a sorority for two years since attending this school. In those years I have seen the rise and fall of Greek life here on campus. The support that these organizations recieve from the University is lacking because of the negative connotations affiliated with Greek life. In all actuality these organizations are academic and philanthropic based. This means that the activity of the members depends greatly on their grade point average, and their contributions to the community. The Greek sisters and brothers work hard to add to campus life rather than deteriorate it. I recently read that Colby and Bowdoin have eliminate Greek activity from their campuses which I believe is sad. In my experience Greek members learn useful social skills that come in handy once they graduate. Also, by involving yoruself with the Greek community you gain positive experiences and memories that you will hold close to your heart for years to come. So thank you, Free Press for acknowledging this demise of Greek life. May I suggest that you follow these organizations more closely to show the contributions that they make to the community and campus. I believe if we promote a more positive outlook of Greek life, students will realize it is more than just a party. Oh, and one correction to the published story, Jeff Desmond is current president of Phi Kappa Sigma, not Jon Gagnon. Thank You,
Chelsea Cyr-Cormier
Urban sprawl in Gorham?
Hi.
I would like to respond to an article in this week’s paper [November 1] titled, “Rezoning issue quiet but vital.” I do not know the outcome of this ballot proposal, which would open up 72 acres of land in Gorham to commercial development. However, even though I am not a resident of Gorham I do have an opinion. I live in South Portland, just down the road from the Maine Mall. If anyone thinks that busy highway traffic next to giant swaths of land covered in pavement and littered with one-story warehouse-sized department stores and fast food franchises is progress then they must enjoy living in places like Dorchester or Methuan, Massachusetts. That whole area of land described as the Maine Mall is congested, polluted and is like a giant leach, sucking our communities dry of culture and creativity. Downtown Portland, along Congress street, used to be thriving. Now businesses come and go almost monthly, it seems. My questions, which come too late now of course, are: what kind of businesses will be developed on the undeveloped areas of Gorham soil? Will this development be structured to promote foot and bicycle traffic? How many trees will be left standing? It may be too late on this issue, but there will be similar issues that will arise in the future. I think it is important to consider sustainable communities and smart growth when it comes to issues of rezoning and suburban sprawl. Thanks.
John Maguire
Provocation unprovoked
I recently read an article entitled, “Provocateur” in your October 13th issue of the Free Press. And though I commend the author for her work, I found the piece rather unprovoked.
My issue is not that the author enjoys pushing the limits of the society in which she lives, but that she does not provide her peers with the proper credit. Our University is one that is, for the most part, very open to diversity. This is a point that Chris O’Connor, Assistant to the Dean of Student Life, makes yearly at the annual drag show.
Though, I also feel that I must remind the author that not everyone feels the need to be as controversial as she presents herself to be, and prefers a more subtle approach. She states in her article that “everyone’s role is different,” to which I agree. However, I have been accused of “not being gay enough because you do not do enough for the community”. But I feel that my role in creating an open and accepting environment within the community is carried out through my actions as an Assistant Resident Director on the Gorham campus.
In regards to the symbolic name tag which is adorned by the author, she is not alone in this venture. We are all susceptible to the labels placed upon us by society whether it be through our work (I will forever be known as “the RA [Resident Assistant]”), or other characteristics that cause us to stand out such as sexual orientation, gender, disability, race, or what have you.
Does this make one too provocative? No, simply unique.
Thank you for your time.
Kate Murphy
senior, media studies