A Mirage of Benefits from Fraternities and Sororities
The first Greek letter organization was founded in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. This organization was a fraternity called Phi Beta Kappa and set forth many of the modern norms and traditions of fraternities and sororities. The traditions include: a secret ritual, a secret handshake, a badge, mottos, and a code of laws. Later, in the 1850s, Ladies followed suit and created the first sorority: Alpha Delta Pi (Jones). These organizations have been around for hundreds of years, and thus have become an accepted part of the collegiate life. In today’s society, however, do they do more harm than good? Colleges across the US are banning the organizations because they influence the
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But, when the fraternities were surveyed, 97% reported drinking. It proves that high alcohol consumption is directly related to the lifestyle that fraternities and sororities promote. Since the researchers proved that drinking styles of the students correlated more closely with the behaviors of their immediate social networks, it only seems logical to ban fraternities and sororities from college campuses. If a decrease in alcohol consumption is to be reached, then a drastic change in the alcohol culture on campuses needs to change, which requires the removal of any organization that harbors the constant recreational use of alcohol. Otherwise, alcohol consumption levels will continuously increase, leading to probable deaths, academic failures, and drop out rates. In order for the campuses to be as strong and successful as they aim to be, fraternities and sororities are better off …show more content…
Hazing is a silent killer on campuses. Students know that it happens, and the school tries to ignore it. But, to the average population its lacks all sentimental value; they don’t see it on a daily basis. Behind closed doors, though, the fraternities and sororities play a big role in the harming of others. One example is Armando Villa. Armando was 19 when he died due to a fraternity hazing ritual at the California State University in Northridge where he was a pledge for the Zeta Mu chapter of Pi Kappa Phi. He, as well as all the other pledges, were blindfolded for an 18-mile hike, where shoes and phones were confiscated, and water was given at a bare minimum (Hastings). Another teen, Chun ‘Michael’ Deng, was injured while taking part in a ritual while pledging the Pi Delta Psi fraternity at Baruch College in New York. Deng suffered major brain trauma and later died from his injuries. “Police said Deng was blindfolded and wearing a backpack loaded with 20 pounds of sand when he was forced to run a gauntlet while fraternity brothers physically tried to keep him from passing through by repeatedly shoving him to the ground” (Fraternity Disowns Baruch College Chapter After Student’s Death). The ritual was called the ‘glass ceiling’. Deng was, in essence, murdered by blunt force trauma, which the police running the investigation is looking at it as if it were a murder, and they are looking to file numerous criminal
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. was founded January 13, 1913 at Howard University by 22 Undergraduates. These 22 women were members of an organization known as Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated., but branched off because of different views. The founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. wanted more than a social organization and was interested in making the sorority more political. Scholastic and political activism was important to the founders of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. The first political act the members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. participated in was the Women’s Suffrage March. The Women’s Suffrage March was a march that occurred in Washington D.C. because Women were not
I watched the movie Animal House; it gave me an interesting perspective on academic life in the 1960’s. The movie follows two friends Lawrence "Larry" Kroger and Kent Dorfman, as they try to gain acceptance from a fraternity at Faber College in 1962. The movie starts off with Larry and Kent going to a social event at one of the better fraternities on campus the Omegas. The Omegas are the snooty, uptight, rich fraternity. Larry and Kent are not like them and find themselves uncomfortable but try their best to fit in. They are made fun of and they leave disappointed without a bid. They head over the Delta Tau Chi House where Kent’s brother used to be a member making Kent a legacy. There they meet John "Bluto" Blutarsky, who seems to be a little crazy. Delta Tau Chi offers the boys a bid because they need the due money. We next are introduced to the main protagonist Dean Vernon Wormer. The dean dislikes the Delta’s and there party attitude. The Delta house is already on probation so the dean puts them on double secret probation. He enlists the president of t...
One of the many forms of dangerous pressures girls face from their membership in a sorority is body image. Being a member of an organization with typically 100 women opens the door for pressure to conform to a certain ideal look. Forms of hazing often would include activities that brought down the girls’ self-confidence. “During circle the fat, pledges undress and, one by one, stand in front of the entire sorority membership. The sisters (or, in some chapters, fraternity brothers) then use thick black markers to circle the fat or cellulite on a pledge’s body....For many sororities, thinness, as the pledges discover, is a priority” (Robbins 259). These types of activities are not uncommon for sororities. From day one of pledging, the idea of having a perfect body is obsessed over. Even girls with healthy, fit bodies are criticized just as much for the sake of the upper classmen to break them down, so they could build them back up they way they want. Its manipulating and confusing. The pressure to be accepted by the sorority was a common outcome from the priority of perfection, which could also lead to eating disorders. A study was done and found that “the most consistent finding was...
Since 1843 there has over 200 cited college hazing deaths. Fraternities are responsible for the overwhelming majority of those deaths. That is not to say that sororities
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, such as, fraternities and sororities have been a part of the college experience for centuries. We pride ourselves in brotherly and sisterly love, academic success, and helping others. There are countless stereotypes and myths that surround the “Greek life” name. Just some myths include: all Greeks haze their members, they only care about physical looks not personalities, and they go to college just to party and get drunk. Kappa Delta Sorority upholds none of these stereotypes. We have a strong no haze policy. Hazing is defined as an activity or situation that can cause emotional, mental, or physical discomfort. If a member is caught hazing or if a new member is caught allowing herself to be hazed, there will be major consequences, such as, national probation or deferral of initiation. Kappa Delta also does not look at physical appearance as the only quality for possible new members. We look at personality and qualifications that can benefit our sorority; instead of having a group of women that are pretty and popular, we like to have women with strong morals, work ethic, and have the willingness to love each and every member of Kappa Delta. Kappa Delta Sorority is like no other fraternity or sorority on campus; we do not waste our time with partying and drinking. We pride ourselves in our historical background, philanthropies, and our values. I know Kappa Delta is the best sorority not only on MTSU campus but in the whole country.
"Some have argued that fraternities are places where rape is likely to occur on college campuses and that the students most likely to accept rape mouths and be more sexually aggressive are more likely to live in fraternities and sororities, consume higher doses of alcohol and drugs, and place higher value on social life at college." according to the article "Fraternities and Collegiate Rape Culture: Why Are Some Fraternities More Dangerous places for Women?" written by A. Ayres Boswell and Joan Z. Spade. The article ...
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.
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
So I typed into Google just that, “what are the negative aspects of fraternities and sororities”. I came across numerous sources that did not really give me a solid base of research. Instead, I decided to use the first source I researched which was Positive and Negative Effects of Greek Life in College and use information on the negative section of the article. For those that are not aware, there are two major reasons as to why people do not want to part take in Greek Life. The first reason is the financial obligations are not a joke when it comes to these social groups. Many people would love to join Greek Life however money issues are preventing them to join. If colleges want their students to succeed and feel as if they are in control of their college life, prices should be lowered. Greek Life should be accessible to anybody that believes it will enhance their college success. The other reason people are hesitant to join a fraternity or sorority is that students do not want to be hazed. Hazing is humiliation during activities in which fraternities and sororities put you through to become a member. It is their way of seeing how prepared you are to be initiated into the group. Although this does not happen at FIU because it is forbidden, many schools throughout the United States haze associate members. This
Everywhere in the south a distinct separation between the black and white fraternities and sororities exists. Taking a look, even within the system ?the white fraternities belong to the InterFraternity Council, the white sororities to Panhellenic and the black Greeks to the National Panhellenic Council? (McCarthy). This separation only adds to the issue of racism and discrimination that continues to this day. Many of us think that it is not our problem or choose to ignore the issue. Many think that it is just the way it is; they are right, that is the way it is, but it does not have to be segregated. By sitting back and watching, we are agreeing with segregation and saying that it is okay. Efforts to conduct more interactions within the system and among chapters should be made. A director of Greek Life, Ron Binder, pointed out that ?we wanted to be the office of Greek Life, not the white office of Greek Life? (McCarthy).
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...
In recent years several high profile national cases have brought hazing to the forefront in American society as a real issue and a problematic one at that. According to recent statistics from the University of Maine, 1.5 million high school students are hazed each year. Of the athletes who have reported hazing, 40% have reported that a coach or advisor was aware of the activity. 22% report that the coach was actually involved in the activities. (Allan & Madden, 2008). Moreover, 36% of students say they would not report hazing primarily because “there’s no one to tell,” and 27% feel that officials or coaches won’t handle the situation right. In additional research a survey was conducted in which coaches were questioned about whether they believe that hazing goes on in their community; 50% responded yes, that hazing was in fact going on. Of the coaches who responded 25% admitted that they themselves were hazed in some form at a younger age (“InsideHazing”, 2010). In light of these findings, the question of who should be responsible is raised. Specifically, it brings up the legal question of “whether a coach has a valid qualified immunity defense to a student athlete’s constitutional rights violation claim when the student is involved in a hazing incident.”
O'Donnell, Ben. "What's Right With Fraternities." Chronicle Of Higher Education 56.16 (2009): A76. Academic Search Elite. Web. 16 Nov. 2013.