Greek Life at Colleges When a student graduates high school, most of them go off to somewhat of a larger college rather then a community one. Going to college means a variety of things: it can mean starting a new life social emotionally and physically, it can mean independence and freedom from close ones, or it can mean totally something indefinable. One of the aspects of all colleges is the social life and the networks all the students make to be successful in the future. Starting a social life is pretty easy but maintaining it along with studies can be quite a handful. Greek life in college is one sect of socializing. Many students get involved in Greek life looking to make networks, friends, or just for enjoyment. The question to ask is that how Greek life differs from college to college? What different Fraternities turn out to be the most productive members of the society compared to different Sororities? The question I set forth on how Greek life differs from college to college is quite broad because I cannot go to all the universities in the world comparing and contrasting Greek life. Studies show that there are top ten schools known for its Greek life. The most publicly known schools out of the top ten happen to be Lehigh University, Pennstate University, Virginia Tech, and University of Florida (College Magazine). Greek life in colleges on my perspective is tending to get out of hand. Although many fraternities as well as sororities engage in community service, they may have a not so good background. In the A.C.P.A Journal of College Student Development it stated that, “Greek life may challenge or reinforce traditional conceptions of gender” (Williams II). In the second chapter of the journal the author emphasized on t... ... middle of paper ... ... of my research, I came to find out that Works Cited Mathiasen, Robert E. "Moral Development In Fraternity Members: A Case Study." College Student Journal 39.2 (2005): 242-252.SPORTDiscus with Full Text. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. Biernat, Monica, Theresa K. Vescio, and Michelle L. Green. "Selective Self-Stereotyping." Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology 71.6 (1996): 1194-1209. PsycARTICLES. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. Jarvis, Robert M. "Inside Greek U.: Fraternities, Sororities, And The Pursuit Of Pleasure, Power, And Prestige." Journal Of Law & Education 37.4 (2008): 605-608. Education Research Complete. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. David S. Williams II. "Inside Greek U.: Fraternities, Sororities, and the Pursuit of Pleasure, Power, and Prestige (review)." Journal of College Student Development 49.6 (2008): 637-639. Project MUSE. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. .
The Greek Life at Baylor University is a community of twelve fraternities and eight sororities. However, the communities within Baylor University are not treated equally. The University of Baylor favors the sororities over the fraternities at Baylor. There are multiple different things that Baylor allows the sororities to attain that the fraternities are prevented from pursuing or accomplishing. This bias between the Greek Life of Baylor and the university itself is one major reason for strain between the relationships of the groups. The sororities at Baylor are supplied a meeting place, allowed to have mixers before rushing on Baylor campus, and are allowed to return to Baylor early after breaks for events. The university must resolve these problems in order to become a more unbiased university and community.
Do people really understand the secrets behind the Greek community? There are many pressures girls face that the public is not familiar with that are specifically evident in sororities. Alexandra Robbins, the author of the book Pledged: The Secret Lives of Sororities, went undercover and followed four different girls during their experiences within the Greek system. Although there are many struggles girls can face in sororities, the five most prevalent type of pressures include: having a perfect body image, substance abuse, stress, silence, and hazing.
Every year students at an accredited university have a decision to join groups/activities. In many cases a lot of students choose to join either a fraternity or a
That standard of academic excellence pushes you to become a great student, “if students want to become affiliated with academic discourse communities, or even if they want to succeed in school, they have to make considerable sacrifices,” (Johns 326). Johns’ outline of success academic discourse communities is on point. Fraternities are academic communities along with social. Much sacrificed time has to be taken to be apart and contribute to fraternity, for example a leadership role. A fraternity offers many opportunities of leadership opportunities.
Greek organizations are debatably the most undervalued and misconceived aspect of college campuses. Most people don’t see the benefits that fraternities and sororities bring to college campuses and their communities. Some see these organizations as large beneficial clubs and others see them as potential problems. Many of the allegations put forth by individuals that discredit the benefits and good deeds done by Greek organizations are weak justifications for their removal from college campuses. Greek organizations provide campus communities with academically responsible students, philanthropic activities and increase community involvement.
Joining fraternities and sororities has been a long tradition among many college and university students within the United States. As the number of students entering colleges and universities grow, the influence and pressure to join fraternities and sororities grow as well. According to a research project conducted by Dr. Gary D. Malaney, associate professor of education and director of student affairs at the University of Massachusetts, “58.6% [of 413 students surveyed] reported having at least a few friends who belong to the Greek Area” (Malaney 2). However, the Kappa Sigma fraternity at the University of Miami in February 2004 was found at fault for the death of Chad Meredith for “attempting a drunken early-morning swim across Lake Osceola during a hurricane as part of a fraternity-initiation stunt” (Sileo 1). In August of 2004, the Psi Epsilon Chi chapter from the State University of New York was found guilty for the death of Walter Dean Jennings for “acute water intoxication during a pledge ceremony in which he was forced to drink alcohol and ingest enough water to make his lungs collapse” (Sileo 1). If fraternities and sororities are as positive as its members present them to be, why are fraternities and sororities mandating horrible things to innocent students? The truth is that many students know that fraternities and sororities are the wrong choice for the college and university atmosphere; however, they decline to reveal the truth in order to cover up this escape route from academics to civil disobedience.
The school I visited was Dartmouth College. It is located in Hanover, NH - a very small town, where restaurants and hotels are scarce, but fraternities and sororities are plentiful. A little over fifty percent of the students there are members of the Greek system, and that is how they really get to make friends and turn their college life into a much more joyful experience while residing in that tiny town. When I went to Dartmouth, a friend of mine, which was my guide through the whole voyage, accompanied me. He went to Dartmouth, and graduated from there, and because he was not an exception to the rule, he had also been a part of a fraternity for his whole college experience, and even more, he still is part of that fraternity.
I came to college with a negative look on sororities. All my knowledge of greek life came from the media. Sororities are portrayed in a dismissive
Glass, N. "Examining the Benefits of Greek Life." USA TODAY College. N.p., 08 May 2012. Web. 20 May 2014.
But, why also is are we making Greek life about partying and everything that comes with it? Greek life is so much more than partying, it’s about philanthropy and leadership. So, why are we glorifying partying in movies and societies? I also can’t tell you how many times I sat through classes that taught me how to prevent my assault. I’m thankful that I had that programing, but it would have been nice to watch fraternity men have the same class, learn how we can prevent
Day in and day out we hear about high school and college students wanting to pursue a sorority and/or a fraternity based on the stereotypes these organizations uphold, well I chose to differ. I told myself if I ever decided to become a member of a sorority it would be based solely on their ethical standards, history, and values they are founded upon. Alpha Kappa Alpha, Incorporated consists of ladies of distinction and exemplary character who excel in scholarship, leadership, and service, which are qualities I have chosen to uphold. From my perspective, I encourage myself to maintain a respectable appearance and reputation which doing so inspires me to embrace my self-concept; which helps me confidently excel academically and professionally as a “lady of distinction” and “exemplary character.” Most importantly, I continuously remain involved in community service, being involved allows me the opportunity to learn and understand the lives and circumstances of others by opening my mind, heart, and soul. Overall these qualities strengthen my passion to be a member of the prestigious Alp...
Kimbrough, Walter M. Black Greek 101: The Culture, Customs, and Challenges of Black Fraternities and Sororities. Cranbury: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 2003. Print.
Prejudice, discrimination, and stereotyping are important topics at the cause of debating within social psychology. A stereotype is a generalization about a group of people, in which certain traits cling to all members, regardless of actual individual variation (Akert, Aronson, & Wilson, 2010). As humans, people assign objects and individuals into categories to organize the environment. Individuals do this for not only organization, but also survival. Is stereotyping inevitable? That is the question; according to Devine (2007), it is, but Lepore and Brown (2007) have to disagree. Devine believes that “stereotyping is automatic, which makes it inevitable.” On the other hand, Lepore and Brown are not convinced that stereotyping is automatic, and have claimed, after observation, that it depends on the individual.
O'Donnell, Ben. "What's Right With Fraternities." Chronicle Of Higher Education 56.16 (2009): A76. Academic Search Elite. Web. 16 Nov. 2013.
Fights occur and people get hurt. Joining Fraternities and sororities is harmful because it leads to vices, it affects academic performance. Drink more. These consequences range from poor test performance, alcohol-related injuries, arguments, property damage and sexual assault. In fact, Greek leaders and those living in a sorority or fraternity house experience the most negative consequences because of their own drinking habits and those of other students. II. Academic Performance *Fraternities and sororities also have a negative effect when it comes to a member's academic standing. College fraternities and sororities are known to be the way for the underage students to drink alcoholic drinks. They can drink at fraternity parties as long as they are part of the group or association. The party usually hosted at fraternity housing. Fraternities and sororities promote illegal drinking since they give access for the underage students to alcohol. It often leads to bad happenings like hospitalizations for alcohol poisoning or alcohol-induced injuries.(Eastman; 2002) While some fraternities try to keep underage students out of their parties, many don't check ID's and will allow even high school students to attend -- especially underage girls. Fraternity and sorority parties have more cases of heavy drinking than any other off-campus parties or bars in college. According to the Harvard School of Public Health's College Alcohol Study, 32% of the students who drink had attended a fraternity or sorority party during the year, and 13% of the students who attended these parties had at least five drinks in one sitting. According to the National Criminal Justice Reference Service, fraternities and sororities are more likely to suffer alcohol-related consequences than non-Greek students because they drink more. (Zen College Life) These consequences range from poor test performance,