The Martlet

The UVic Students’ Society (UVSS) is officially neutral on having fraternities and sororities on campus.

Until the UVSS Semi-Annual General Meeting (SAGM) on Feb. 11, the UVSS’ issues policy stated that the society was “committed to the principle of non-recognition of fraternities and sororities” because they “exclude portions of the membership for elitist ends” and many have been associated with “racism, sexism, homophobia and degradation of pledges,” both historically and currently. The policy and its preamble were rescinded at the SAGM.

Debate over the policy was emotional, with some arguing that the policy was outdated, and others arguing that the issues were still important.

“The policy was inaccurate,” said Drew Gilmore, a second-year undergraduate law student who advocated for rescinding the policy at the SAGM. “It’s no longer representative … [the Greek system] is better than it was.”

After the meeting, UVSS Director of Services Heather McKenzie said that she has had “negative experiences with fraternities,” citing a party at a fraternity where she was first drugged, and then blacked out.

“It’s scary and I wouldn’t really want anyone to be subjected to that,” she said.

McKenzie also believes that it is important for the issues policies to serve as a historical record.

“What [the issues policy] showcased was that there was a lot of harm done on people through hazing and initiation. There was a very exclusive nature that prevents accessibility for students,” she said.

Others agreed with McKenzie’s sentiment.

“It’s counter-intuitive for us to build a campus community that strives to be welcoming and promote equality and inclusiveness, and then turn around and allow an organization to exist when it doesn’t promote or believe in these principles,” said Tim Ell, a fourth-year political science student.

Gilmore argued that the fraternities and sororities are not exclusionary.

“There’s a home for everyone in the Greek system,” he said, adding that the fraternity he was in at the University of B.C. was proportionate to the greater society in terms of gender, sexual orientation and race.

Some students at the SAGM questioned if having sororities and fraternities at UVic is necessary.

“Proponents of sorority and fraternity organizations point to them as being of benefit to the wider community because of their philanthropy, but the university already has an alumni association for that purpose,” said Ell.

McKenzie agreed.

“There’s no reason why people can’t mobilize on their own and have their own collectives … that’s what clubs are for,” said McKenzie.

At the end of the debate, 83 students voted in favor of rescinding the policy, while 26 voted against doing so.

Rescinding the policy does not mean that sororities and fraternities will automatically start popping up on campus, however — it only means the UVSS now has no official position against them.

“[The motion] does not mean that the UVSS will be supporting fraternities and sororities,” said UVSS Director-at-Large Nathan Warner at the SAGM. “It means the UVSS will take no stance.”

Gilmore said that he is not currently aware of any sororities or fraternities looking to start a chapter at UVic.

There is a Facebook group for the Beta Tau Fraternity University of Victoria, which states that “members will find a stimulating environment, one that will help them to develop fully as individuals.” It is a closed group.

McKenzie, who as director of services is also the UVSS Clubs Council director, says that no one has approached her about starting a sorority or fraternity on the UVic campus.

McKenzie noted that Clubs Council has the right to deny club status and funding, or just funding, to groups.

“But [the decision] would be totally up to a dialogue that’s shared at Clubs Council,” she said.