A Sig Speaks Out Against Fraternity Stereotypes

Editor's Note: This article speaks about what is on the minds of thousands of hard working fraternity members around the country. What makes it most interesting to me is that this young man is a member of the Sigma Chi organization. The article cleverly ties in fraternity life with the lives of every day students who do not belong to Greek organizations. "We have secrets, Don't you have secrets with your friends?"

That's so frat
My View
By: Eric Mills, Columnist
Posted: 4/1/08
There he is, walking through the Quad with his gelled hair, designer jeans and, let's not forget, five inch letters sewn on to his shirt.

That's so frat.

There he is, out late at a party, hitting on girls and binge drinking like it's his job.

That's so frat.

There he is, with his "brothers" cleaning up a park, raising money for charity and getting good grades in school.

THAT's so frat.

With the negative stigma that is associated with fraternities and sororities across many college campuses it is amazing that Greek Life is still allowed on any campus at all.

However, those stigmas and misrepresentations of what Greek Life is cover up some of the truly positive things that fraternities and sororities do.

Forgive me for being a little biased, as I am a proud member of Sigma Chi, but not every fraternity fits the stereotype.

In fact, since joining my fraternity, when I think of fraternity, I no longer think of drinking or spikey hair.

I think of all the hard work that Greek Life members put in. Fraternities and sororities spend large amounts of their time working with each other to raise money, awareness and understanding about a variety of different causes.

An obvious example of the time and effort that goes into living life Greek happened this past weekend when thousands of dollars were raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the Chi Omega sponsored "March Madness."

"March Madness," for those unaware, is a dance competition between various fraternities and sororities.

Despite the fact that each house spends less than 3 minutes on stage, the amount of preparation and time spent on each dance would be daunting to any student.

Activities just like this happen almost every week.

Some are bigger than others, some have higher attendance rates and some have goals that are not primarily based around making money.

However, it doesn't change the amount of time and effort necessary to organize and execute undertakings like these.

I find it also necessary to note that all but a very few of these philanthropies are 100 percent alcohol free.

Movies like Animal House and Going Greek depict fraternity members as being intoxicated all of the time with a party every night of the week.

I know it's hard to believe, but that is just unrealistic and untrue.

For those non-greek members who may not understand, think about your classes. Do you have time to be intoxicated every day of the week? Didn't think so. Neither do people in fraternities.

This is by no means meant to say that Greek Life is right for everyone. It isn't.

That being said, some of the unrealistic and overtly wrong stereotypes applied to fraternities in colleges need to be clarified.

Think of it as a look inside a fraternity.

Yes, we have secrets. Don't you have secrets with your friends?

Sure some members drink, don't you have friends that drink?

Moreover, sure some people make mistakes, not everything that has happened in the nationwide Greek Community is accepted by everyone. When we hear of date rapes or kids dying because they drank too much water, we are just as disgusted as non-greeks.

The only difference is that those things affect the way we are seen to the outside world, whereas when those things happen they do not reflect on people who are not affiliated with a fraternity.

I guess that's the negative of being a member and representative of so many people. When one makes a mistake you are seen in exactly the same light as them.

However, I hope this gives a closer look into Greeks as a whole. We're not all techno pumping, steroid shooting alcoholics. In fact, we are just like everyone else.

Sometimes you have to look past the letters, to the people, to realize that not all stereotypes are true and that groups with the worst reputations can be responsible for some of the best things.

Posted By: Evan Hackler