The Panhellenic Council would like to personally thank The Shield for their coverage of the event Hope for Hayden. Moreover, the fraternity and sorority community greatly appreciates coverage of other events which we host on campus. However the Panhellenic community would like to address some of the terminology in the last article about Hope of Hayden which was published in the Thursday, October 27, 2011 issue.

In the is article, it states “The Panhellenic council dunked pledges…” This statement is incorrect and overall viewed as offensive. The Panhellenic Council does not use the term “pledge” in reference to non‐initiated members rather simply call them “new members”. Chapters may refer to their new members as a “pledge” but the Panhellenic Council, the governing body of USI Sorority life does not. The term “pledges” has gain a negative connotation in Greek community on a national level that alludes to hazing activities. The University of Southern Indiana and the Fraternity and Sorority life has a STRICT NO HAZING policy which the Panhellenic Council strongly supports. Therefore, when The Shield stated, “The Panhellenic council dunked pledges…” it could be interpreted that the Council actively engaged in hazing new members by forcing them to get in the dunk tank. This statement of course is under the interpretation of the reader, but due to stereotypes of the Fraternity/Sorority Life community faces, the interpretation of hazing occurring could easily be reached.

Moreover, the statement is incorrect. Majority of the participants were current leaders within the Fraternity/sorority life community from chapter presidents, Panhellenic Officers and even our Advisor, David Stetter. The new members that did participate were volunteers.

Panhellenic would again like to thank The Shield for covering the event and everyone that helped to make Hope for Hayden a huge success. We look forward to continuing this partnership in the future. We just ask that The Shield be aware of the sensitivity and proper use that comes with terminology and how that affects the image of our community.

Thank you from the Panhellenic Council

If you have any questions feel free to contact the Panhellenic Council at USI1Gree [email protected]

*This letter was printed as received by The Shield