Colleges and Universities: Fraternities and Sororities

Fraternities have been a part of American society since the late 1770’s. It is something that has continued to be a tradition in colleges and universities today. Sororities, as well as fraternities, are an integral part of the college experience. However, these organizations face stereotypes and negative associations all the time in movies and popular culture. Some of these stereotypes are due to past traditions of hazing. Despite these traditions, Greek Life has established itself to be a beneficial experience for its members and the communities that they are located in.

The first Greek organization, a fraternity, was formed from a philosophical society in 1776 at the College of William and Mary (“Student Organizations at Sac State”). The organization developed the Greek letters to mask the organization’s purpose when restrictions on student organizations were very high and the organization became known as Phi Beta Kappa. When the organization was being established the members created an initiation process, handshakes, and oaths, traditions that have been passed down to most organizations today. Chapters of this particular organization spread to other universities and began the expansion of Greek life as a whole.

Sororities and fraternities developed under the traditions of brother/sisterhood. Unfortunately, as these organizations were forming, the tradition of hazing developed as well. Hazing is defined as, “…any action or situation, with or without the consent of the participants, which recklessly, intentionally, or unintentionally endangers the mental, physical, or academic health or safety of a student.” (“Hazing Awareness and Education”). Hazing became a part of early initiation processes as a way for new members to pr...

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...looking for in a student organization, there is almost always an opportunity to satisfy it in Greek life.

Works Cited

Binkow, Sarah A. Greek Life Sponsor. Personal Survey. Survey Monkey, 17 Mar. 2014. Web. 23 Mar. 2014. .

Michigan Technological University. Fall 2013 Fraternity/Sorority Report. Rep. N.p., Winter 2014. Web. 30 Mar. 2014.

"Benefits of Greek Life." Benefits of Greek Life. Pennsylvania College of Technology, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

"Hazing Awareness and Education." Welcome. University of Michigan Student Life, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

"Student Involvement." Fraternity & Sorority National Statistics. University of Missouri - Kansas City, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.

"Student Organizations & Leadership." Fraternities and Sororities at Sac State. California State University, Sacramento, n.d. Web. 23 Mar. 2014.