Diversity only runs as deep as the individuals involved. If an organization is to be diverse, it would take those involved having different ideals, characteristics and personalities. It would have to be a place where ideas could be shared and compromises met. It would certainly have to evolve to survive.

The greek community has been a part of OU for more than 120 years. No organization could last that long without evolving. As the largest student organization on campus (15 percent of the entire student body), there has to be diversity somewhere.

Still, negative stereotypes prevail Ñ claiming everyone looks, acts or thinks alike. If everyone were the same, wouldn't everyone be athletically built, intelligent and attractive? Or, would everyone have long hair and goatees, be in trouble for drugs, be in a band or perhaps all be great artists? Why would there be different chapters? There would only be one.

Yet, each chapter provides something different for each of its members, and it's something a little different than what the student body sees, or even other chapters for that matter.

The greek community is something that binds students to one another. It ties all chapters together because there are a lot of people who do not know what the greek letters stand for, and, therefore, everyone is judged on the same plateau. When people stereotype something it's because they do not understand it, or have not taken the time to learn about it.

Take, for example, when a large percentage of Americans dress up in red and green. They purchase an assortment of things and put them in boxes. They cut down trees and set them in their living rooms. Yet, we celebrate and embrace this behavior; it happens every winter at Christmas time. It's a bizarre behavior when you don't know what it's about. Keep an open mind. There is something that binds everyone; we're at OU, living in Athens, and we're with each other. Day in and day out, our lives reflect one another, and what happens to one person, does affect another. This is OUR community, and whatever we can do to help it or hurt it affects us.

People can start their own fraternities or sororities; it's called colonizing. They can petition to become recognized by the university and their respective national governing bodies. If people whole-heartedly agree that the greek community is not diverse, they should join it and make it what it should be.

The greek community sets its ideals very high, because it serves everyone, whether you're in it or not. Homecoming is in a few weeks, and chapters will be paired with one another to compete in float building but, more importantly, competing in donations to their respective charities.

It is a week of fun for those involved and a satirist's dream if you're not. Not only will there be large groups of the greek student population in one place, they will be working together. (I can't wait to see the cartoons!)

The greek community has its negative side. The deaths of two students (at LSU and MIT) have shocked the nation, and whether or not their organizations will be held responsible, the greek system has carried the blame. Our campus, too, has had its share of problems in the past, and people have worked, and will continue to work, together to correct these problems.

Nothing can correct itself on its own, nor can any one person or organization stand alone. There is no sense in perpetuating the wrong; it only divides us (students, administrators and the Athens community).

We're here at OU to learn, and learning from interacting with others is what we do best. Instead of tearing down the greek community, perhaps joining it will make you and the greek community better.

Zimmerman, a senior journalism major and member of the Interfraternity Council, can be reached by e-mail at kz115694.