At Dartmouth, we are often told that we will be the leaders of our generation and that the world will soon be ours to change and better. Yet during our time as students, we find it surprisingly difficult to bring meaningful change to our school. We complain about rising tuition costs, outrageous meal plans and other issues that put us directly at odds with the administration — a nebulous force for which we voice unrestrained contempt. While administrators may respond inadequately to such problems, a fairly open dialogue concerning institutional issues does indeed exist between students and faculty.

Yet when it comes to combatting social issues, progress is often stagnant. This is because the blame for the persistence of such issues cannot be so easily thrust upon the administration, for we, as students, are very much culpable as well. My government class, while analyzing social movement theory, recently engaged in a simulation of a social movement on campus. The cause we chose to pursue was that of eliminating Greek life. While I am in no way proposing such an upheaval, the simulation showed me many reasons why our community has failed to make any real attempts at reforming such a flawed system.

Before we could talk about dismantling Greek life, we found it necessary to highlight problems with the current system. We talked about sexual assault, misogyny, overconsumption of alcohol, exclusion of minorities and those of low-income backgrounds, hazing and blatant superficiality. Honestly, the idea of designing a social system that could adequately address such complex issues seemed daunting, and it was no surprise that students were reluctant to try.

We were then confronted with the issue of getting students to at least admit that something is wrong with Greek life here at Dartmouth. The stigma attached to being a “GDI” or even just being somewhat unhappy with our Dartmouth experience makes it extremely difficult for students to be honest about their feelings. I will openly admit that, despite my participation in the system, I find many aspects of Greek life unsatisfying and even upsetting. If that alienates me in some way, that is fine. But most students are not willing to risk experiencing this feeling.

The problem of collective action, therefore, proved to be a serious impediment to carrying out our cause. Political science tells us that because individual involvement in a social movement is unlikely to affect its success and could very well be personally costly, most will deem it easier to simply abstain from participation. Of course, if no one really participates in a movement, it is almost certainly bound to fail. It then becomes necessary for organizers to establish meaningful incentives for individuals to join their cause.

Yet incentive can be found in the fact that students ultimately risk a crackdown from the administration by continuing to ignore the problems of the Greek system. It would be far better for them to actively recognize the faults of Greek life and reshape it for themselves than put the fate of their houses in the hands of administrators. Collective action, that is, participation by all students in this cause, is absolutely necessary and its challenges can be overcome. And no, it is not enough to leave the initiative for reform to detached and largely ineffective student councils.

We must begin admitting that we are dissatisfied with the way things are. And telling a couple of your closest friends about how you secretly despise your sorority or fraternity is not sufficient. The majority of students are far too afraid to openly question the way that things are. If this majority can establish that they are indeed on the same page, then we can hope for a more sweeping, self-aware revitalization of Greek life. It is time for sisters and brothers to actually share their discontent with one another and it is time for the leaders of Greek organizations to admit their own problems with the system. If discontent is made socially acceptable and recognized as widespread, then students can confidently do away with the likes of pledge trainers, unhealthy house rituals, a demeaning rush process and much more.