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Fraternities social institution
Related literature about the fraternities and sororities
Review of related literature about fraternities
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The discourse community I have been studying is fraternities. Fraternities are more than just partying and “hangin’ with the bros.” Fraternities are over 100 years old and filled with traditions, values, and brotherhood. Fraternities have stood strong since the early 1800’s, with rich history and culture. Every fraternity has founding fathers that represent a certain value of the fraternity. I have gained access to this community through pledgeship in Sigma Chi, one the most prestigious fraternities in the nation, with the hopes of becoming a brother. Even though I have access to this community I know very little because I am so new. Through my research, I have learned and discovered the intricacies and deeper understandings of not just Sigma …show more content…
It all starts with rush week. Every fraternity will put together some open invite events for any student who wishes to join the fraternity. Every year over hundreds of students sign up for rush week. You can sign up for as many fraternities as you wish, but it is always a good idea to sign up for a maximum of 2. The open invite events are meet and greets, for potential new members to meet the brothers and get a feel if that fraternity is right for them. After the open invite events are over, it goes to invite only and that’s where the cuts are made. Every fraternity tries to choose the best people that fit the values that fraternity. Rush week is a grueling week for any fraternity because, so many kids rush and fraternities can’t accept everyone. “Because Boise State Greek life is increasing rapidly, this fall was the hardest rush week for any fraternity because of the record amount of kids that came out,” (Carter Lewis). The fraternity discourse community is …show more content…
When rushing and pledging a fraternity you meet brothers from that fraternity and maybe even brothers and pledges from other fraternities. Your social skills greatly improve by actively communicating with brothers from the fraternity and socials, which are events planned with other sororities such as ice skating, bowling, etc. A fraternity pushes you academically, for example, pledges have grade checks before they are initiated as official brothers. For Sigma Chi, a pledge needs above a 3.0 grade point average in order to be initiated. If below, the chances of being dropped from the fraternity is very high. 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. Once a brother, you can run for executive board which consists of president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, recruitment officer, pledge educator, and risk manager. There are other
I myself am from a very “awkward” dichotomy. The reason for that is that I grew up in Oak Cliff Texas, a low socioeconomic neighborhood with the a very criminal atmosphere. However, my father was able to obtain upward mobility through his construction business that he built, therefore I have always been financially well off. Since I grew up in Oak Cliff and attended an inner city public high school my classmates were mostly of low socioeconomic background and well, the nature of their behavior is very much like mine. Now when I attended A&M I decided to join a fraternity. There is “Latino” fraternities available for students to join on campus but I joined one that is recognized by the IFC (Intra Fraternity Council). This is one of the barriers amongst universities’ Greek life systems themselves. As described in the book, Greek life systems generate a barrier where students of low socioeconomic status find it harder to join. The fraternities and sororities that are recognized by the “IFC” are those that are categorized by the student body as “cool or better” organizations. Those that aren’t recognized by the IFC are seen as the “poor or gay” organizations. Those fraternities that are recognized by the IFC on campus as far as I know are all white. Latino or Black fraternities and sororities aren’t recognized by the IFC, at least at A&M. I am the only Minority in the fraternity that I am apart of, and I sometimes recognize that I am different in different aspects than most of the members and can feel the “isolation” that is described in the book. Once my fraternity was having an event and everyone was required to pitch in 30$ towards supplies for it, and the way that the money is gathered is through a mobile application where people can pay with their credit cards. I asked one of my fraternity brothers is I could just pay him cash and he
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,
One of these smaller discourse communities that I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to experience is the Sigma Zeta chapter of Chi Omega Fraternity. Every girl in this fraternity shares 6 common goals that we strive to achieve every day. These ideals are: friendship, high standards of personnel, sincere learning and credible scholarship, participation in campus activities, career development, and community service. We live by these six purposes to strive to make us better than the people we were yesterday. By embracing the six purposes we
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.
So what allows a campus fraternity to fall under the category of a social institution? Social institutions are commonly conceived as the necessary focuses of a social organization, which is common to most of society and usually deals with the problems and procedures of structured social life. General characteristics of a social institution involve regulated patterns of behavior that are specific, continuous, and organized. The patterns become the regulated norm, and are carried on from generation to generation, allowing the social institution to continue on through the years. Fraternities were first developed back in the late seventeen hundreds and continued to expand over the past couple of hundred years. Today there are about sixty different fraternities all over the United States, represented by different letters of the Greek Alphabet, with several chapters and various schools. Fraternities is a ‘member only’ social institution that is just for guys, (women have similar institution called sororities). Every fraternity has a board of members that they personally e...
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...
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 decided to investigate what qualities the fraternities of Oklahoma State have, so I interviewed the girlfriends of several fraternity men. This gave me the chance to view other girls’ relationships in certain fraternities and if the girls’ relationships are different in each fraternity or if there are similarities. I interviewed girlfriends and fiancées of all sorts: the ones who had been there from the very beginning, before they were in a fraternity, the girlfriends who didn’t meet their partner until after the guys were already in fraternities, and the fiancées who experienced fraternity relationships from their sophomore year until their senior year.
Upon arriving to college, many students face the challenge of finding a community to belong to. I believe the student affairs professionals on campus are the resource to building communities within the student body. Reflecting back on my first semester of college, I found my community within two organizations; Dance Marathon and UI Alumni Association Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow (S.T.A.T.). Within the organizations I met two advisers who opened my eyes to the world of student affairs.
Sorority Life Women in their sororities are connected by sisterhood, philanthropy, events, values and much more. Being apart of a sorority also has a mass amount of requirements such as, initiation, chapter, date dashes, formal and retreats. Many people decide to rush either to make friends, be apart of something on campus that feels like a community or for social opportunities. Before you can be apart of the sisterhood you need to be accepted into the sorority through the rush process.
Students involved in Greek life have the freedom to express their academic desires while being a part of a group of other students who share similar
Starting college without knowing anyone is difficult. Joining any type of organization is a great way of meeting new people and making new friends. By joining a fraternity or sorority you gain a whole group of friends, or as known within themselves, brothers and sisters. These groups of people form a bond so strong that it becomes a family bond, making students feel at home while going through the college transition. Members of the Greek life are mentored and taught leadership skills by their fellow brothers and sisters.
In order for the campuses to be as strong and successful as they aim to be, fraternities and sororities are better off
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... ...
Fraternities and sororities are an essential part of the university experience. They provide the student with a place to call home or even help form lifelong relationships. Students find a sense of belonging in these organizations and everyone is there to support others. Sadly these organizations ruin lives with a lot of deaths occurring during unsanctioned events. If individual chapters include a minimum G.P.A to become a full member, then less deaths happen since everyone involved is focusing on their studies.