Fraternities

A fraternity, as defined by the The American Heritage
Dictionary is "a chiefly social organization of male college students, usually designated by Greek letters."(pg. 523) This definition, however, is very limited and leaves plenty of space for short sighted people to believe the stereotype conveyed by the popular media, where fraternity members are depicted as drunks who accomplish nothing either scholastically or socially. Unfortunately, both this definition and media portrayals fail to mention the fact that membership in a fraternity is a life-long experience that helps its members develop social, organizational, and study skills during college, and that teaches true, everlasting friendship. As a matter of fact, fraternities have a long tradition of high academic achievement, and most of our nation's presidents were members of a Greek association.
According to Irving Klepper, the first fraternity (Phi
Beta Kappa) was founded for "social and literary purposes" at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia on
December 5th 1776. After half a century of existence, it became and has since remained a scholarship honor society.
Throughout the nineteenth century, many new fraternities were founded, but none of these were permanent. Then, in 1825, the
Kappa Alpha Fraternity (now Kappa Alpha Society) was born at
Union College. Two years later, Sigma Phi and Delta Phi had been founded at the same college, constituting the so-called
Union Triad which was, in a large measure, the pattern for the
American Fraternity system. By the end of the nineteenth century there were over thirty general fraternities in this country (pg. 18).
Today's fraternities still have all the characteristics and precepts of the their past fraternities: "the charm and mystery of secrecy, a ritual, oaths of fidelity, a grip, a motto, a badge, a background of high idealism, a strong tie of friendship and comradeship, and urge for sharing its values through nationwide expansion." (Klepper pg. 18) In addition, today's fraternities help their members develop many skills which are used in and out of college.
During membership in a fraternity, one must learn leadership skills, because the chapter has to...

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...n accurate portrayal of all Greeks." He goes on to point out the fact that, "Greek life is not just about partying and drinking.
Greek life helps to build character, self-esteem and life long friendships."(12) It is indeed very sad that many people are stuck with the "Animal House" view of fraternities and avoid looking into what fraternities are really all about.

Works Cited
Abramson, Brian D. Personal Interview. 1 Apr. 1996.
Fraternity Executives Association "Statement of position on Hazing and Pre-initiation Activities"
The portals of Tau Epsilon Phi Tau Epsilon Phi
Fraternity, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia 1937
Klepper, Irving The portals of Tau Epsilon Phi
Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia
1937
Morris, William, ed. The American Heritage Dictionary of the
English Language. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston,
Massachusetts 1982
Nykolaiszyn, John P. "Hazing: Greeks get a bad rap."
The Beacon Feb. 13th 1996: 12.