I'll never forget the day that my friend at The University of Kentucky asked me to consider joining Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. I thought about it carefully and after researching the organization, found that the group has a very rich history. I was impressed by the many talented and capable African American men that the group has produced. I respect that, and I was also proud when my brother joined the fraternity himself.

Personally, I never joined Alpha Phi Alpha, although I have several cousins who took the plunge. In fact, I turned down every other fraternity that asked me to "pledge," including Omega Psi Phi, Phi Beta Sigma and Kappa Alpha Psi. None of it appealed to me, especially since I felt that the pledging process was going to keep me up late, drain my bank account and possibly put my life in jeopardy. I was never very good at letting people tell me what to do.

In one of the boldest moves by any greek letter organization to date, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporate has announced that it is putting a halt to new membership nation-wide. The organization's General President, Herman "Skip" Mason Jr., made the announcement after a member of the student chapter at Fort Valley State University was charged with aggravated battery against one of the new members of the organization.

In reference to his decision on behalf of Alpha Phi Alpha, President Mason had this to say, "Following my review of 2009, it became clear to me that one area that needs our immediate focus is the conduct of brothers involved in the intake process," Mason's letter stated. "Our process was designed with the assumption that our members would conduct themselves honorably and with care. Regretfully, in several instances, that has not occurred. This means that all membership intake activities shall be and are hereby suspended until further notice."

A college student, 21-year old Bryson Trumaine Amey was charged with aggravated battery in an incident that allegedly occurred on November 29. As a result, 19-year old Brian Tukes was seriously injured and hospitalized for a week.

Let's be honest: most of you who went to college saw friends who were hazed and might have even been hazed yourself. Personally, I saw the Alpha Phi Alpha chapter at The University of Louisville (in my hometown) get into serious trouble for some things that were happening during the pledging process. This angered me to no end, since my brother was affiliated with that chapter. I saw a good friend nearly die after trying to pledge Omega Psi Phi. During my 16-years as a college professor, I have seen students get so immersed in greek life that they simply forgot why they were in college in the first place. Years later, some of them are still alcoholics after taking their first drink with their fraternity brothers.

This-is-ridiculous. It's time that we DEMAND that our children to go to college to be successful. I reflect on these issues honestly in my first book, "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about College." Greek life presents many advantages, including some commitment to community service, as well as professional networking opportunities. But far too many greeks only see the letters, the parties, the liquor and the women. That's not what being a black man is all about, and I am happy to see that President Mason is sending that message nation-wide.

As I send my daughters to college next year, the last thing I want to hear as a parent is that they almost lost their lives in incidents that have almost nothing to do with academic achievement. I also don't want to see their grade point averages decline because they've left for college and forgotten to study. It's time for the culture of college education to grow beyond a life of all-night parties, drinking till you puke and majoring in sorority 101. Instead, college might possibly be a place to build your future.




Dr. Boyce Watkins is the founder of the Your Black World Coalition. To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.