Interfraternity Council President Rob Martin has a long way to go before fixing the tainted greek image, but at least he took the first step.

That step, a pledge to ban hazing while simultaneously fighting racism and drug and alcohol abuse, looms as a mountain for the 15 greek organizations that signed an agreement to climb.

But climb they must.

Fraternities and sororities are trying to quell the Animal House image. But the stereotype pushes through each time an incident occurs across the country.

Although no one can argue the image greeks harbor is richly deserved, their collective and individual actions to start anew should be heralded as well.

And the place to start is with the individuals.

Yes, there are sanctions NIU imposes if a fraternity or sorority breaks the rules. But those are nothing new.

That is why the reform must begin with individual members. Students must begin acting as people first and greeks second. Not the other way around or both rolled together.

And there are signs they have. Either the greeks are becoming more responsible or they are getting better at shirking the police. It seems to be the former.

So congratulations to the greeks. It will take a long time before the greek stigma is erased, but as with everything, one must crawl before walking.