Greek organizations have touched millions of lives
throughout their 200 years of existence in the American arenas of
higher education.
These fraternities have given innumerable young Americans a sense
of belonging and comradeship. They have helped to teach teamwork,
interpersonal skills, self-control, the importance of being well-rounded,
and many other values. While undergraduates are the ones most directly
affected by their involvement in Greek chapters, the relationships
built within the framework of the Greek experience are still fostered
and held dear by many people throughout their entire lives.
As society has changed through time, so has the role Greek organizations
play in American society. Fraternities originally began as literary
societies, but over time they develop into social living organizations.
This transition brought with it many social changes for the undergraduates
involved. More and more, fraternities are placed in the spotlight
and publicity criticized for various social dilemmas. While the public
outcry against binge drinking, drug use, and hazing is certainly
justified, Greek organizations are often pigeon-holed into taking
the blame for any and all social crises at institutions of higher
education around the nation.
This area is meant to serve as an informational tool for answering
many of the generally accepted myths about Greek life. Specifically,
this information will guide you to a better understanding of what
the North-American Interfraternity Conference community is doing
to combat these myths and create a safer and more rewarding experience
for its undergraduate members.
Myth #1
Fraternities are not conducive to social and spiritual development.
Truth
One of the things the NIC can be most proud of is its organized social
calendar. There is a plethora of events designed to foster social
interaction and interpersonal skills. Young men are encouraged
to meet and interact with members of their own and other chapters.
Date parties, inter-chapter functions, and inclusive community
service projects allow for networking and help to foster strong
bonds of friendship.
Another often overlooked facet of the Greek community is the strong
foundation for spiritual development. Many members are involved in
university-wide religious groups. A few chapters even recruit new
members based upon religious affiliation.
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Myth #2
Being part of a Greek organization is more expensive than other living
organizations.
Truth
One particularly prevalent myth about Greek life is that being a
member of a fraternity is incredibly costly. Many people outside
of the Greek community actually refer to this belief by saying
that "Greeks buys their friends." The irony in that statement
is that it costs money to be a part of any living organization
or to retain any place of residence.
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Myth #3
Hazing is simply a reality among fraternities.
Truth
Hazing is the most publicly feared concept associated with Greek
life today. These fears are more than justified due to the fact
that hazing is easily the most dangerous and destructive practice
that an organization can take part in. Although many people automatically
associate the term "hazing" with the idea of mistreating
or abusing pledges or new members, any member can actually be a
victim of hazing. Hazing can be defined as singling out an individual
or group of people and forcing them to do something that is psychologically,
physically, or emotionally harmful or damaging.
Greek organizations nationwide have striven to eliminate hazing
from their cultures through proactive approaches and strict enforcement
of anti-hazing policies.
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Myth #4
Joining a Greek organization inhibits academic performance.
Truth
Admittedly, fraternities have definitely moved away from their roots
of purely academic organizations such as literary societies. However,
the transition to social living groups does not necessarily mean
that academics were thrown out the window.
Academic performance is encouraged by both all-Greek programming
and individual chapter policies.
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Myth #5
The "Animal House" stigma is still prevalent among fraternities.
Truth
In the 1980's, the movie "Animal House," starring John
Belushi, became a smash hit. The movie was a satire designed to depict
the wild side of fraternity life. The binge drinking, wide-spread
hazing, sexual harassment, wild toga parties, open drug use, and
substandard living conditions became the American public's perception
of Greek life. As the movie grew in popularity, fraternities saw
a huge downturn in recruitment numbers.
This trend is still seen today. Almost every year, the number of
Greek chapters shrinks and the number of new initiates dwindles.
Unfortunately, much of the poor public perception encouraged by "Animal
House" is underserved in today's Greek systems. The media is
particularly good at perpetuating myths. Nearly every state in the
nation has adopted an anti-hazing law. College campuses, Greek systems,
national Greek organizations, and individual chapters have all taken
strides to reduce hazing, drug and alcohol abuse and liability through
stricter rules and increased educational programming. Granted, there
are still isolated incidents of hazing and alcohol-related deaths
or injuries, but many institutions are taking proactive stances to
prevent these tragedies.
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Myth #6
Greek chapters encourage binge drinking and drug use among their
members.
Truth
As discussed earlier, the movie "Animal House" has had
a profound impact on the belief system of many Americans regarding
Greek life. The stereotypical party atmosphere is not a reality,
and certainly not the norm. Due to the fact that Greek chapters comprise
the largest student organization nationwide, Greek communities are
constantly in the media spotlight. Social problems such as binge
drinking and drug use occur in nearly every facet of society, but
their presence is magnified in fraternities.
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Myth #7
Fraternities do not foster leadership skills.
Truth
There is never a shortage of leadership opportunities available to
undergraduates. The NIC offers another great resource for developing
leadership abilities with an abundance of role models and mentors
within each chapter.
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Myth #8
A member of the Greek community must buy his friends.
Truth
The widely held belief that a Greek experience is costly, shallow
and materialistic is incredibly ignorant and unsubstantiated. A
person must pay to live in any living organization, or any residence
hall for that matter.
It is a common misconception that all fraternities are rich. This
notion, however widespread, is simply an incorrect generalization.
The fact of the matter is that Greeks pay to live together just as
any other roommates pay to live in the same place.
The fact that social opportunities are readily available in the
Greek community does not equate to automatic friendships. It is probably
also fair to say that most individuals, Greek or non-Greek, tend
to socialize to a certain extent with the people with whom they live.
One thing that the NIC community can be most proud of is the opportunity
to develop diverse friendships.
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Myth #9
Greeks are elitist, racist, and sexist.
Truth
It is easy for a person to make rash assumptions or judgments about
those things that he is not familiar with. Unfortunately, the terms "elitist," "racist," and "sexist" are
very grave accusations. To stereotype all Greeks as having prejudices
is simply unfair and incorrect.
Steps are being taken on a regular basis to reach out to the campus
and community. Programming is inclusive of Greeks and non-Greeks
alike. The recruitment process for men on most campuses is of "mutual
selection." This means that chapters are interviewing prospective
members while at the same time prospective members are able to interview.
Many people assume that because fraternities are primarily composed
of white students, they are racist or prejudiced against students
of color. One must understand that multicultural Greek chapters compete
with traditionally white Greek chapters to recruit multicultural
students. The NIC welcomes people of all backgrounds and actively
educates all members about the importance and value of diversity.
Many people argue that because fraternities only recruit men and
sororities only recruit women the two institutions are sexist. What
these people fail to realize is that federal law has mandated that
fraternities and sororities are exempt from Title IX guidelines.
Greek chapters are social living organizations and are therefore
not required to be coeducational. At the NIC, fraternities and sororities
interact on a regular basis. In addition, educational programs and
resources regarding sexual harassment, abuse and acquaintance rape
are available.
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Myth #10
Being a member of a fraternity takes up an unreasonable amount of
time.
Truth
It is a common misconception that joining a Greek community is such
a large time commitment that academic performance suffers and participation
in other extracurricular activities is impossible to maintain.
It's true that an active social calendar and other Greek programming
does take up a certain amount of time, but it is absolutely incorrect
to assume that this time commitment is unbearable or unreasonable.
At the NIC, academics remain top priority. This means that academic
commitments preclude any other time commitments.
Rest assured that members of the Greek community are not required
to participate in any event, program or meeting that might conflict
with academic requirements.
Good time management skills would allow students to actively participate
in a Greek chapter and still maintain their grades and involvement
in other activities. Varsity athletes, members of marching band and
debate, and students studying architecture or engineering are just
a few examples of students with large time commitments who regularly
join fraternities.
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Myth #11
Fraternities do not benefit surrounding communities.
Truth
A rather unfortunate and ironic byproduct of constantly being in
the public spotlight is that Greek communities are blamed for social
problems and isolated tragedies, but rarely given the credit they
deserve for positive contributions to their communities.
Each national fraternity has an established philanthropy, or community
service program, that raises money for a charity of choice. These
philanthropies are carried out by member chapters at various universities
all over the nation. The community service programs are good for
public relations. They also help with recruitment efforts, but above
all else, they allow chapters to give back to the community. These
nationally designed service projects make up only a small percentage
of the actually service projects actually carried out by Greek communities.
These community service event projects are fun and often double as
social events because chapters regularly donate their time and energy
to events sponsored by other chapters.
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Myth #12
Joining a chapter eliminates the ability to develop friendships with
other students on campus.
Truth
The belief that membership in a Greek chapter prevents friendship
with non-Greeks is absolutely ridiculous. Interaction with students
in and out of the Greek community happens all the time. Friends
are made in the classroom, in all types of extra-curricular activities,
and the list goes on and on. Many members of the Greek community
have lived in either residence halls or in an off-campus living
arrangement. Most students maintain strong friendships from high
schools or hometowns.
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Myth #13
Parents cannot be involved in their student's Greek experience.
Truth
Parents who argue that they have not been able to be a part of their
child's experience in a fraternity should reexamine the level of
effort they made to get involved. If effort is not lacking, then
they should look at the level of communication they had with their
student regarding opportunities for involvement. Most chapters
keep family members up to date on chapter news through newsletters
or other means.
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Myth #14
Greek chapters may be irresponsible because they do not answer to
a higher authority.
Truth
There is a common misconception that because Greek chapters are living
organizations maintained by the undergraduates who reside in them,
there is complete lack of authority and control. Truth be told,
there is a very elaborate hierarchy of power in place to ensure
the success and safety of undergraduate members.
Within each fraternity there are approximately 25-30 leadership positions.
These offices range from a chapter president and scholarship chairman
all the way to kitchen manager and intramural chairman. Each officer
has a set of duties he is responsible for completing. Most chapters
also utilize a committee system to assist the officers in their duties.
The executive council of officers within each chapter must then
answer to several outside bodies. First, the Interfraternity Executive
Councils act as governing bodies for the fraternities. These executive
councils are comprised of 7-8 experienced officers who are elected
to their positions by the presidents of their fraternities. The executive
councils develop and enforce policies within the respected universities
guidelines. The second body to which chapter officers must answer
is the chapter's house corporation. This body is made up of chapter
alumni who are financially responsible and liable for the chapter
house. These alumni make sure the house is functioning properly and
that the undergraduate members in the chapter are safe and acting
responsibly. Finally, the officers within each chapter must answer
to their national organization. Each chapter is sponsored and given
its charter, or permission to operate, by a large national fraternity.
These national organizations ultimately determine the status of their
member chapters. Therefore, chapters must meet certain guidelines
and complete the appropriate paperwork required by their national
organizations.
Because Greek chapters are registered with universities as student
organizations, they must also abide by university policies. These
regulations are imposed by university administrators. The final and
most stringent set of policies that Greek chapters must abide by
are state and federal laws. In conclusion, there are many bodies
in place to help and maintain a safe and appropriate environment
for undergraduate members of the Greek community.
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Myth #15
New members of Greek chapters do not have personal space or time.
Truth
It is true that joining a fraternity does require a certain amount
of time and dedication. However, the time and effort required is
by no means enough to interfere with other time commitments or
academic success. The Greek commitment begins during pledgeship
or preinitiation period. Prior to being initiated, prospective
chapter members are required to attend meeting or ceremonies in
order to learn about their chapter's history and values. Some chapters
also choose to administer written tests regarding chapter history
and other information. This education serves a dual purpose. First,
it enables the prospective members to have enough information regarding
their chapter to make an informed decision about whether or not
to continue their participation in the Greek community. Second,
the pre-initiation period allows chapters to make informed decisions
about whether or not to initiate the prospective new members.
Another fear of many prospective members and parents is that personal
living space is nonexistent for the pledges/associates/new members.
It must first be noted that each individual chapter has a unique
living arrangement. In some chapters, members keep all of their personal
belongings in a room that is shared by two to four members. This
room serves as a living room, study room, and general living space.
At night, all members sleep in a sleeping room. This particular setup
has many benefits. First, there is always a dark, quiet room for
members to rest, day or night. Second, members share living spaces,
so they are able to get to know other members and foster friendships.
Other fraternities offer a setup where members share rooms with one
to four other members. These rooms are multipurpose in that they
serve as a living room, study room, and bedroom. This setup allows
members to remain in close contact with their belongings, and it
also helps for members to build strong friendships with their roommates.
In conclusion, prospective members do not lose an inordinate amount
of time or space in joining a Greek chapter. However, it should be
understood that joining any group-living organization demands a certain
amount of sacrifice of space and privacy. In turn, these sacrifices
offer incredible benefits. Strong friendships, an outlet for help
and stress, and numerous mentors and role models are all available
in Greek living organizations.
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Myth #16
New members are not allowed to participate in chapter decision-making.
Truth
It is generally believed that new or prospective members of Greek
living organizations are allowed no input whatsoever. It is also
a common belief that prior to initiation, non-initiated members
are treated as inferiors and are subservient to active chapter
members. These perceptions are based upon misguided generalities
and assumptions.
The first thing that must be understood is that different fraternities
use different programs to prepare their new members for initiation.
Some chapters utilize a pledge system. This system is designed around
the idea that new members, or pledges, will learn and grown the most
in a close-knit group with other pledges, or a pledge class. Pledges
are not allowed to vote in chapter, and the pledge class must meet
certain expectations such as planning or fulfilling responsibilities
like house chores. While pledges do not vote, they do have a great
deal of input in chapter events and decisions. In this particular
system, pledge class unity is believed to be the foundation of brotherhood
and growth. Friendships and bonds are strongest among members of
the same age and pledge class.
A second type f new member education is called an associate program.
New members are called "associates" because they are associating
with the chapter prior to initiation. Associates have the same privileges
as the active members within the chapter. Voting privileges and responsibilities
are the same for all members, no matter the age or class. This system
focuses on chapter-wide unity. Friendships and bonds are not necessarily
stronger among members of the same age or class.
In conclusion, each type of new member education program has its
strengths and benefits. Regardless of format, new member programming
is vital to developing worthwhile and active chapter members. Without
question, new members are the foundation of any Greek chapter. They
can make or break chapter success depending on the effort, hear,
and soul they put into their chapter.
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Myth #17
The Greek experience will not mold well-rounded individuals.
Truth
The belief that it is impossible to develop into well-rounded individuals
through involvement in a Greek living organization is without a
doubt the most uneducated and incorrect assumption in existence.
Greek communities offer limitless opportunities for growth and
development. First, the resources to aid in academic achievement
are readily available. Chapter members have access to older, more
experienced students, mentors, and scholarship programming within
their chapters. The NIC values academic excellence. Chapters understand
that academic responsibilities take priority over all other programming
or requirements.
Second, leadership opportunities are innumerable. There are leadership
positions available within each chapter, within the Greek community,
and within the NIC. Greeks are exposed to mentors and role models
in every facet of Greek life.
Third, a very active and planned social calendar helps members of
the Greek community to fine tune interpersonal skills. Constant interaction
with members of their own and other chapters help members to network
and build long-lasting friendships.
Finally, individuals are able to learn important lessons about themselves
from experiences in the Greek community. They can discover their
own strengths and weaknesses and learn how to utilize their talents
for the future. Time management skills, the importance of cultural
diversity, and interpersonal skills are all covered by programming
sponsored by the NIC.
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Courtesy of the North American Interfraternity Conference
http://www.nicindy.org/
