Up Front

To the Editor,

I am deeply disappointed,  and in fact outraged that you would find reviewing a book so poorly researched as AMERICAN HOOKUP authored by Lisa Wade ‘97 worthy  of “Coastlines”!

To the point, Wade in referring to “the college sex culture” and particularly that culture at UCSB, asserts that “For a fraternity to be safe and employ common sense would defy everything they have stood for over 200 years”. The statement itself is a wild,  sweeping generalization with no factual basis provided by Wade.  More importantly, the statement is totally  contrary to the history of social fraternities in America and my guess, the stated founding principles of every one of them.

Wade’s outrageous and inflammatory statement could be made about any organized group on any college campus in America. If so, it would be just as outrageous and inflammatory and equally without merit. I am quite confidant Wade was never a member of a fraternity, and did no historical research into American college fraternities. Anyone doing such research would never have reached her inane conclusion.

However,  my outrage toward Wade is equaled by my outrage toward “Coastlines” for  promoting such drivel. The article would have been more appropriate for the pages of the National Enquirer rather than the pages of my alumni magazine.

Yours truly,

Jon Bell ‘67

Former Chapter President and national officer of a onetime UCSB fraternity.