Saying something has a Machiavellian feeling to it tends to come with a strong negative connotation. However, some communities continue to succeed and flourish today going by the Machiavellian communities standards. My pledging within the fraternity of Pi Kappa Phi has been a blessing and a curse. I absolutely love the guys that I am around for 18 hours of the day. However, the pledging of Pi Kappa Phi has some rules and bylaws that set pledging to be run in a highly Machiavellian format. Our pledge trainers are amazing guys, however; they are not there to make friends. They are there to make sure that we are learning about the history of not only our chapter but of the whole national organization. The pledge trainers would rather be feared than loved during pledging. The Student Creed is eight stanzas long of how a Pi Kappa Phi member should live their life. The White Diamond is a book that has all of our national organization’s history and stories. However, not all of our contracts are written in form. Our Pre-Initiation ceremony was completely verbal and explained everything that the fraternity expected of us along with what we can expect from them. The ends are always justifying the means of pledging. The heartache within pledging that we endure for five to six weeks is all justified because we become chapter members afterwards with a variety of benefits. This is one of the definitions of having a Machiavellian community. The Student Creed encompasses many different views on life. The Student Creed is a guide to how a Pi Kappa Phi member should live their life not only during their college career but also later on in life. The second to last stanza within the creed states “Who prepare themselves diligently to... ... middle of paper ... ... the fraternity chapter than ourselves. Machiavelli states, “it is far safer to be feared than loved if you cannot be both.”(chap 17). Machiavelli would believe that the pledge process within the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity is being run with a type of government that is cohesive for the greater good of not only the fraternity but the entire community that is surrounding the fraternity. Machiavelli would understand that the end justifies the means of the pledging. Our pledge trainers do not fear being feared more than loved and according to Machiavelli this is one of the characteristics of a good leader. Works Cited Thurston, Jared, The White Diamond: A Guide to Brotherhood. Charlotte, NC: Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, 2010. Print. Thurston, Jared. "Student Creed." White Diamond: 74. Machiavelli, Niccolò, and Robert Martin Adams. The prince: New York: Norton, 1977.
At a young age I knew as an African American woman through activism, educational autonomy, and community service, I can thrive through the wake of extreme poverty and turmoil faced by the people of my neighborhood of East New York. My interest in Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., would be based solely on their ethical standards, history, and values they are founded upon. The ladies of this organization exude exemplary character who excel in sisterhood, respect, honesty, accountability, and integrity. Throughout my life I always encouraged myself to have these ideal characteristics without knowing that one day I would be pursuing membership in a prestigious organization, whom upheld the key principles “greater service, greater progress. The first
While reading Pledged: The Secret Life of Sororities, I learned more about the inner workings of Greek Life. I learned that the odds of me finding a sorority are so slim due to my independent and different personality. While I am not good at sticking up for myself, something this book has made me feel is crucial to blend in and conform to an ideal to fit into a sorority, I am too opinionated. There are not many sororities (at least shown in Pledged) that welcome girls who are different, preferring to stay similar. For example, each pledge class would soon like identical within a few months of pledging. Another thing I learned about is the careful planning and manipulation that occurs throughout sororities,
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.
In this paper will be talking about the three sociological perspectives as it pertains to the fraternities and sororities in today’s world. I have chosen this topic because it can be easily understood in all three perspectives.
The purpose of Alpha Kappa Alpha is to promote sisterhood in colleges to assure a bond between college women, and the sorority leads by being an example for other college women to follow. Alpha Kappa Alpha also promotes higher education and positive self-esteem to younger women. Alpha Kappa Alpha also gives back to the community in community service that could range from educating our women on relevant topics to just lending a hand in the community. I want to contribute to this purpose at Mississippi State University and back in my hometown.
Additionally, analyzing the overall structure of the Greek System will allow me to understand why students feel inclined to become a member of these organizations, while others don’t. In order to comprehend this student subculture, however, it is imperative to define what the Greek System really is and what core values they are based on. The Greek System, composed of different fraternity and sorority communities, are organizations that focus on academic, social, and professional support.... ... middle of paper ... ...
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.
If I am chosen as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. I will work hard to uphold the reputation and exceed the standards that those before me have set. I believe becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. means joining a group of highly educated women that together I believe are capable of facilitating the type of change that is imperative in today’s society. It is my hope that I will be accepted as a member and be afforded the opportunity to take part in that change. I look forward to hearing from you regarding my request to join your
The mission of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated is to cultivate and encourage high scholastic and ethical standards, promote unity and genuine friendships among college women, aid in issues concerning girls and women in order to come up with solutions to eliminate or ease the circumstances they may face, maintain an ongoing interest in college life, while also being of service to all mankind. This sorority has not only empowered women to help others, but it
Why I desire to be an Alpha man? The answer to that question answered in its entirety would far exceed the three page limit allotted for this essay. In the Army we are taught to K.I.S.S things meaning, keep it simple. The mission statement of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. is to develop leaders, promote brotherhood and academic excellence, while providing service and advocacy for our communities. This mission statement embodies the backbone principles of why I desire to be an Alpha man.
Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. has played a large part in my life in a short amount of time; this organization has granted me the opportunity to attend college through a scholarship. The scholarship that I was granted was through the alumni chapter in Fayetteville; it required letters of recommendations, a transcript, an application, and an essay on what I believe “Achievement in every field of human endeavor” means. Once I received the call that was telling me to meet the representative to receive a letter stating whether I received the scholarship. When I opened the letter, two tickets fell out for the Kappa Scholarship ball, and when I read the letter, it stated that I have been picked to receive the scholarship from Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. The weekend of the scholarship ball, my mother planned a graduation trip for a couple of friends of mine and I to go Myrtle Beach. So the day of the scholarship ball, I drove from Myrtle Beach to Fayetteville to attend the scholarship ball; once I arrived at the ball, I was greeted by many men of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc. When I sat down at the table that they reserved for me and the three other scholarship awardees, I was approached by many men of the fraternity. That night was very spectacular and eventful; the men who had presented me scholarship seemed down to earth, sociable guys. They treated me with so much respect, and talked to me about how I see my future and told me what I could do to be a successful African-American in today’s society. These men set an example of accomplishment and in the short time that we had together, they instilled in me that I should never be content with where I am and I can always do better as long as I have the mind set of an achiever. Without this scholarship, I ...
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...
"The Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity." THE PI KAPPA ALPHA FRATERNITY. The Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity, n.d. Web. 21 Apr. 2014. .
Many pledges join sororities and fraternities in search of friendships that will last throughout life. However, quite a few young people get caught in life-threatening situations because they are not aware of the commitments to which they are swearing themselves. The idea behind joining a house is to form a relationship in which the members are one big family at heart, yet many sorority and fraternity members – while advocating status, popularity, and togetherness -- have betrayed the ideals of Greek life. Sororities and fraternities should stress bonding relationships among brothers and sisters, and not allow this idea to be neglected and abused by hazing. Plain and simple, hazing is an intentional action taken by active members to inflict physical and mental discomfort, harassment, and embarrassment upon future members of a house.