by Angelli Perez
In the past week, a video has been circulating around campus of a white female student using the N-word and shouting “get [them] out of my country,” “f*** black power,” and “we’re the supreme” in a shocking display of racism and white supremacy. However, for many students of color, myself included, it was not a complete surprise. It was only a loud reminder of the everyday realities we navigate here.
When rumors spread of naming this individual as a member of Greek Life—despite the filter on her face blocking most identifying features—I decided to go to the Greek Life Office myself: this time, not as bystander or with the objective of a friendly conversation, but as a concerned, upset student of color asking what the institution actually does in situations such as these.
The answer ultimately was complicated.
When I met with the office, I asked directly if they could speak about the video and whether or not the student was in Greek Life. They told me that they could not legally say anything explicitly because of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). But what is FERPA exactly?
As defined by the U.S. Department of Education, FERPA “protects ‘education records,’ which are generally defined as records that are directly related to a student and maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution.” This ultimately restricts universities from releasing personally identifiable information which includes disciplinary actions. While this is an important act that plays an active role in all our lives as students, it is also often invoked as a shield, leaving harmed students with no clarity and a lot of frustration.
The office then told me they only typically handle hazing or recruitment infractions. Any cases of discrimination are handled solely by the Title IX office, unless the person reporting the incident asks for the GLO to get involved. For those unfamiliar with Greek Life terms:
- Hazing infraction: a violation of involving forced activities within a group
- Recruitment infraction: involving breaking the rules for how a Greek organization recruits its members (i.e. drinking with a Potential New Member (PNM) or for sorority women having PNMs in their house)
I then asked them plainly: “how do I report these incidents?” The office explained that for something to be investigated it must be reported. This is something that I misunderstood for years. I used to think that if you talked to someone from the Greek Life Office or the President of your chapter, it would be taken care of. However, if it is not formally submitted through an online form, then nothing can be done.
They tried to help. For about 20 minutes, I watched them scroll, click, search, back-track, etc. They eventually found the reporting system. It didn’t work. I decided to do my own digging.
I eventually found the information about Greek Accreditation. Greek accreditation is a yearly system in which each chapter is meant to complete certain training or requirements, with at least 80% of attendance from the chapter in those sessions or meeting those requirements. These trainings are on Title IX, hazing, and supposedly diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
However, here is the catch: These DEI presentations can be given by anyone in the chapter, even outside sources. The presentation must be reviewed by the GLO. This means standards vary wildly between chapters. I would also like to acknowledge the fact that both members of the Greek Life Office who are reviewing these presentations are white men.
This inconsistency means that there are different presenters, different interpretations, and different levels of care in every DEI training. Therefore, because of this, chapters that have shown a repeated pattern of insensitivity are not guaranteed the most effective education. This guarantees only inequity.
I found Greek Forms under the Greek Life tab on CentreNet. These forms are labeled under recruitment, councils, honors societies, and resources. In the resources tab, the SMART (sexual misconduct) report form works, while the bias incident report states: “Coming Soon!” Hazing information and reporting states, “Please report potential hazing behavior to Public Safety, the Greek Life Office, or Athletics. You may also use the LiveSafe app to report hazing behaviors anonymously.” The incident reporting tab also states: “Coming Soon!”
However, on the homepage of CentreNet, under the CentreNet Bookshelf, on the right half of the screen (only visible on Desktop), students can click the “Report a Concern” tab. They are then redirected to a page that has links to four different forms regarding student behavior. There is also another form only for professors and staff if they are concerned about a student.
My experiences as a brown woman in Greek life have been a mix of warmth and alienation. There were moments in which I found genuine community—a community of women who listen, uplift me, and love me inside and out. However, there were moments I felt like an outsider in a room of people who claimed sisterhood, but didn’t understand the weight of my experience in a predominately white space.
That exact tension is why I care. It is why I stay; it is why I speak up. If these organizations claim the values of unity, leadership, and service, then the training, accountability, and culture need to reflect that. As a senior, I have seen multiple instances of racism in Greek life which means whatever is in place to stop that is visibly not working.
I understand the legal barriers. I understand the importance of FERPA. I understand that institutions move slowly. However, there are ways to show solidarity besides the bare minimum:
- Showing up physically in affinity spaces: let it be known that you are there to listen not to judge or combat.
- Requiring standardized DEI training led by professionals: there are so many awesome faculty (Dr. Goetz, Dr. Jones, Ann Goodwin, etc.) who are highly educated on this subject.
- Making reporting systems easily accessible, visible, and known: let your students know that these resources are available and they must be reported.
- Publicly affirming that harm of any kind against marginalized students will not be tolerated.
Solidarity does not require violating FERPA; it requires willingness.
In all honesty, my frustration is not with the Greek Life Office. It is with Centre College—the same college that installed a statue which students and faculty repeatedly said was offensive and only addressed it when the backlash became too loud to ignore. Time and time again, it feels as though money and fear of lawsuits trump the safety and dignity of students, especially students of color.
I am TIRED.
TIRED of being told that change is hard and complex.
TIRED of watching this college prioritize image over people.
TIRED of hearing “I know it’s frustrating” when students of color are hurting.
This campus cannot claim diversity as a selling point when it fails to protect the very students who create such an environment. Racism does not disappear because Centre refuses to talk about it. Silence is not neutral; it is complicit. If these systems that are meant to protect us do not work, then it is time to rebuild them.