Kent, Ohio (U-WIRE) — On April 24, the president of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house, or Pikes, allegedly forced his way into an apartment building, beat two residents and damaged property. He was charged with a class X felony for mob action, among other charges.
If more than two fraternity members are found to have participated in the event, Kent State University could consider it a fraternity activity and revoke the house’s charter. The board of fraternity affairs could also revoke the membership of those involved.
In an environment in which the administration seems to be keeping a close eye on the greeks, this event could have far-reaching negative consequences for the greek system. The administration has been regulating sororities and fraternities more closely, cracking down on alcohol use and enforcing the Bring-Your-Own-Beer system.
The University has been cracking down on what is wrong with the greek system, the “animal house” image of cars parked on the front lawn and drunk house members wreaking havoc on neighbors and members of the opposite sex. But it shouldn’t get overzealous.
The incident could lead to a campuswide crackdown on houses, even though it can’t be said that the whole greek system is at fault.
In the greek system, as well as other places on campus, there is much labeling of people into certain groups and assuming they will act a certain way because it’s expected, so one person or one activity or one fraternity fitting the animal house stereotype will have repercussions for the rest of the greek system. Sanctions against the whole house are unjustified if only one person participated.

This staff editorial appeared in Monday’s Kent State University Daily Kent Stater.