The Northwest Missourian

Attention: Letter to the Editor

800 University Drive
Maryville, MO 64468
Dear Brandon Zenner,
On behalf of the Greek community, we would like to thank The Northwest Missourian for publishing The
Strollers column Your Man wants you to stop hating on February 19, 2015. After reading the article we had
two options: To lash out and defend what we know to be true about Greek life or to look within ourselves and
ask if our actions are aligned with our values of scholarship, leadership, service and brotherhood and sisterhood.
Last week, we held a forum with chapter leaders to look within our community and see where improvements
could be made. We recognize that we are not perfect, but we are passionate about working together to create
positive change.
Yet, we feel as though there are factual problems with the column as we dont think it fairly or accurately
represents our community and calls into question the journalistic integrity of The Northwest Missourian. We
would be more than happy to sit down with anyone from The Northwest Missourian to talk about our
organizations and why we have set standards when it comes to GPA and study hours. We would love to talk
about why we recommend our members to get involved on campus and take on leadership positions. Also, why
we give thousands of hours and raise money every semester to give back to our local Maryville Community. Or
why we volunteer numerous hours for our national philanthropies such as Special Olympics, St. Jude Childrens
Research Hospital, or the Ronald McDonald House. If interviewed properly for an article where someone cant
hide behind being anonymous we would discuss these things.
Our Greek community was established at Northwest in 1927 and we are proud of what we contribute to the
Northwest community. The Stroller was right about one thing: pomping isnt fun. Yet, while it isnt fun, it isnt
about the action itself. For us it is about the time we spend together as brothers and sisters contributing to the
Homecoming celebration that makes it valuable. We take great pride in building floats and putting up banners to
celebrate Northwests Homecoming. Why do we take pride in it? Because the Homecoming parade brings
together the entire community of Maryville to celebrate our campus, and that creates unity and a family
atmosphere found on no other campus. Homecoming is just one example of many things that connect us to this
University that we love.
We also take great pride in the fact that all of our organizations have GPA standards that we must meet in order
to be members. How can we be criticized for having people in our lives who are helping us to become better
students? In fact, thats what being Greek is all about. Were not trying to be better than anyone else, were
simply trying to be the best version of ourselves that we can be. And being Greek does that. When we leave
Northwest, weve gained critical thinking skills, communication skills, and had so many valuable experiences
working with people who are different than us. Because, after all, isnt that what college is supposed to help us
do?
It may be all Greek to you, but to us, those letters represent our family, our community and we want to let the
Northwest community know that we stand together, we stand strong and well stand taller knowing that we will
always continue to strive to be better students, better citizens and better Bearcats. Thats what being Greek
means.
Sincerely,
Cari Calia
President, Panhellenic Council

Austin Nichols
President, Interfraternity Council

Gaelynn Patton
Vice-President, National Pan-Hellenic Council

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