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Greek life at college universities has been scrutinized due to the unfortunate actions of a handful of sorority and fraternity members. Fraternities and sororities have notoriously been in the news for having certain flaws such as racism, hazing rituals, violence, sexual harassment, and alcohol related deaths (Schulten).
- What’s Covered
- What Is Greek Life?
- Greek Life’S Controversies
- Pros of Joining Greek Life
- Cons of Joining Greek Life
- How to Find The Best Fit College
Greek life dates back to the 18th century, when John Heath and some friends founded Phi Beta Kappa, now a collegiate honors society, while studying Greek at The College of William and Mary. Though not a social fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa started out as a secret society, eventually evolving into a prestigious undergraduate honor society. Later on, du...
Greek life has been the subject of a number of controversiesover the years. In fact, last year many “Abolish Greek Life” movements cropped up at colleges and universities across the country, with hundreds of members leaving the societies at schools like Vanderbilt University, Northwestern University, Emory University, Duke University, and others. T...
The Social Life
The social aspect of fraternities and sororities is usually the biggest draw for many college students, after all they essentially give you a built-in circle of friends. Not only will you meet new people when you ultimately pledge a society, but you can also develop deep relationships during the rush process, even if you don’t end up joining a house. Furthermore, fraternities and sororities host parties, events, and activities for members. Often, they’ll co-host events with other Greek life o...
The Networking
Because many Greek life organizations are national societies with long, illustrious histories, they have successful alumni in a wide variety of fields. This can be enormously beneficial for your professional life in addition to your social life. Many members are eager to help their brothers and sisters, even if they attended different colleges. You could land internships and jobs as a result of connections you wouldn’t have otherwise.
The Leadership Opportunities
Greek life organizations also provide opportunities for members to gain leadership skills. There are leadership positions within chapters, as well as the larger councils at the colleges that govern the activities of individual fraternities and sororities. You could even become involved at the national level after graduating, serving in paid or unpaid positions to coordinate programs, oversee involvement, or act as liaisons for specific chapters.
The Cost
Greek life is expensive. Membership dues alone can run up to thousands of dollars per semester. And that’s on top of other expenses such as event tickets and swag, which you’ll usually be expected to purchase. Service-oriented fraternities like Alpha Phi Omega have these fees, too, but they tend to be somewhat less steep than Greek organizations dedicated to social activities.
The Hazing
Despite many colleges and national Greek organizations’ efforts to crack down on hazing, it remains one of the most toxic aspects of Greek life. Hazing is a grueling process that can take a big toll on your mental and physical health if taken too far.
The Time Commitment
Greek life is extremely demanding. You’ll be expected to attend chapter meetings, events, and activities, which are often required of members. And with your other commitments, particularly your schoolwork (and job, if you have one), it can get overwhelming and leave little time for anything else. This is especially true when you’re rushing — a period when you’re probably still adjusting to the rigors of college.
At some colleges and universities, Greek life is a huge part of the college culture. Others don’t have any fraternities or sororities on campus at all. In either case, while Greek life may play a role in your college decision, it shouldn’t be the only factor you consider. You should also pay attention to qualities like size, location, programs offe...
Joining Greek life by way of social sororities and social fraternities is a well-known way for undergrads to do this both on their college campuses and within the community. Despite the opportunities that these organizations offer, some colleges and universities are considering whether or not to continue offering their students the opportunity to join such Greek organizations on their campuses ...
• College campuses and surrounding communities are constantly reaping the benefits of the Greek organizations. • Philanthropies are projects and events organized by groups or individuals to benefit the surrounding community. They can involve members from one fraternity/sorority or from all members of the Greek community.
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Jun 18, 2019 · Take a look at your top college’s Greek Life pages to get an idea of the opportunities, recruitment process, and fees associated with becoming a part of Greek Life. Here are just a few as an example: University of Washington, Emerson College, Ohio University, University of North Carolina.
Oct 4, 2023 · Greek life often falls prey to stereotypes and misconceptions, mostly fueled by sensational media portrayals and infamous campus stories. Let's debunk some of the most common myths about Greek life: 1. It's all about partying: Although social events are a part of Greek life, these organizations emphasize personal development, academic success ...
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Apr 30, 2024 · What is Greek life? Before we dive into the pros and cons of Greek life, let’s cover the basics. Fraternities and sororities are undergraduate organizations that help college students develop social and leadership skills. Greek life participants attend social events together, coordinate on community service projects, and often share the same ...
