Statistics cite correlation between greek system and incidences of misconduct.
Whitman College’s most recent sexual misconduct survey revealed that Whitman females reported the same percentage of forced vaginal sex incidences as women nation-wide. During the last year approximately 1.7 percent of Whitman females experienced an incident of forced vaginal sex, the same percentage that was reported in a nationwide survey conducted in 2000 by Fisher et al. The survey at Whitman used data from 582 students, about 42.3 percent of the campus and fairly accurately represented campus demographics.
Statistics in the survey show an apparent correlation between members of the greek system and incidences of sexual misconduct on campus. According to the survey, in 62.2 percent of sexual misconduct incidences the aggressors were reported to be fraternity members. In addition, 44.6 percent of female respondents who experienced at least one incident of sexual misconduct were sorority members. These statistics are higher than the campus demographics in which sorority women represent 29 percent of the female population and fraternity men represent 34 percent of the population.
The disproportion between campus demographics and the percentage of greeks involved in sexual misconduct incidences increases in accordance with the severity of the incident. As defined by Whitman College, sexual misconduct includes a variety of physical contact ranging from unwanted touching to forced penetration. In incidences of attempted and completed forced penetration on campus 78.6 percent of the aggressors were greek males.
The high percentage of greek members involved in sexual misconduct incidences on campus appears to be linked to alcohol consumption. According to the 2006 Whitman Lifestyle Choices Survey by Chistopherson, greek members tend to drink significantly more alcohol on average while partying than unaffiliated students. The sexual misconduct survey states that the three highest factors that put people at risk for incidences of sexual misconduct are alcohol, traditional gender ideology and greek membership. Out of these three factors, alcohol, by far, is the highest determinant.
According to Sara Pierce-Magdalik, a senior sociology major who helped conduct the survey as part of her senior thesis, alcohol overrides all of the other factors: “You can have the most traditional gender ideology and be a member of the greek system but still not be at high-risk for severe forms of sexual misconduct if you drink moderately or not at all.”
With alcohol being such a large component of sexual misconduct incidences, the issue is not limited to the greek system, but rather is a campus-wide problem. Any social situation during which alcohol is being consumed excessively is at-risk for incidences of sexual misconduct.
“Students should try to monitor and limit their own alcohol consumption and that of their peers,” said Pierce-Magdalik. “The solutions to the problem need, first and foremost, to be internally motivated.”
In order to address the issue of sexual misconduct, the various greek organizations are actively discussing potential solutions to the problem of excessive alcohol consumption on and off campus. As a highly visible student run group, the greek system has, perhaps more than any other group on campus, the ability to bring awareness to the issue.
“The greek system is in a position of great power to change the current situation on campus,” said Christie Seyfert, sophomore president of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
As a result of the latest sexual misconduct survey the greek system at Whitman is extremely concerned about their image on campus. Worried that the benefits of the greek system may become overshadowed by the survey’s statistics, they are working harder than ever to emphasize that the greek system is a positive force in the overall community.
Whitman’s greek system is extensively involved in community service: “We participated in an all-greek project in which we planted about 2,000 trees in the community. In addition to this, the Kappas raised over $8,000 dollars from their annual Mr. Whitman fundraiser for a cerebral palsy school in Africa,” said Seyfert.
On Monday, April 23, the six greek leaders at Whitman met with Barbara Maxwell, an associate dean of students, to continue their discussion on potential ways in which to reduce and prevent sexual misconduct. The greek system wishes to bring the issue to the forefront of the entire campus. Their aims will hopefully serve to raise awareness about the disturbing connection between alcohol consumption and sexual misconduct.
For further information, Sara Pierce-Magdalik can be reached at [email protected].
