I’ve never been compelled to write to the editor until now. Compelled isn’t the right word; I’ve never been so insulted. Dennis Reardon attempts to demean everything that Greek members have tried to achieve (“BU should not start funding Greek life,” April 3, pg. 11). When I came to BU, I never imagined I would join a fraternity, but four years ago I was impressed by the community service, brotherhood and social aspects the Greek system offered. I was a full-time student then, and I also owned my own business and devoted a lot of hours to that. As a successful businessman, I have always believed that respect is a vital part of proving oneself.

Why would I ever associate myself with a group that hazes students and provides no value to the community? How would other people be able to respect me? More importantly, how would I be able to respect myself? I would never devote my time to a group with no value. The Greek system at BU is not about hazing and does provide a great service to its members and the community.

I’d like to believe that everyone at BU is an educated person with self-respect the type of person who would not subject themselves to ritualistic beatings. The Greek system is about forging new opportunities for its members such as leadership roles, active philanthropic and community service work, brotherhood, networking and social opportunities. Members of the Greek system like to have a good time, but we also place an importance on community values. At last week’s Greek Week, there was a Greek Gods competition where the proceeds went to charity, a community cleanup, a charity football game and a lip synch competition where I got to see our current Student Union president Ethan Clay get up on stage and do his thing dressed up as Vanilla Ice, where once again the proceeds went to charity. Ethan isn’t a member of the BU Greek system but, unlike Dennis, came to our events, participated in lip synch contests, attended our meetings and many other things to see what the Greek system was really about. We seemed to have impressed him and gotten his support, so, Dennis, why don’t you come out to some of the many events we hold for the entire community to see what we are really about before you knock us?