Fraternities and Sororitios

Some students arrive at school with their minds all already made up. It seems that the more social in-crowd oriented students are in high school, the more they favor continuing with that feeling of belonging to a close knit group in college. Sometimes it is decided because one or both of their parents belonged to a fraternity or sorority. Though a lot of students are like myself, and choose to find and filter our own small group of friends that share the same dorm floor, or an extra activity group as independents. We feel comfortable in small interest groups with similar likes. While fraternities and sororities offer a larger, more costly, brotherly or sisterly group with secret ceremonies, social commitments, and who set for themselves admirable humanitarian goals. Fraternities and sororities are not for everyone, and everyone who joins should consider the positive and negative aspects before they commit. 

The first consideration should be given to cost, a busy social calendar requires dedicated funds. And if you are an upperclassmen and have any thoughts of moving into the shared house of your organization, plan on spending more money than living in a dorm. Besides the normal room and board you will also have to pay dues, and have money for clothes when everyone in the house wears the same thing. You will also appear at more functions where you will have to look your finest; like socials, public service functions, and charity fundraisers. On the plus side, new members experience an immediate feeling of a cohesive support network, like a home away from home. They also build new friendships with members and former members through their alumni network that offers good mentoring, and leadership, that could last a lifetime in the business world.

Another consideration is the time commitment. Members are expected at all social events like the organization’s sponsored parties; as well as other brother or sister organization’s sponsored parties; home sporting events; rehearsals for Greek theatrical productions; extra events during homecoming week, and pledge week; all while keeping the full class loads expected of top students. In addition upper class fraternity and sorority members take on more leadership opportunities while developing public service programs. It is a very full campus lifestyle, now throw a job on top for extra spending money and you can see the difficulties in keeping your grades up.

This next subjects are probable a bigger negative consideration to the parents than to the students thinking of joining a fraternity or sorority. The problem of alcohol on campus or off campus is a continuing college problem. But there is extra pressure applied in some frat and sorority houses, during pledge times and it comes from a group pressuring pledges to conform in excess to be accepted. Not that alcohol is used in all fraternities and sororities, as all universities have a no tolerance rule for campus underage drinking. But we can’t deny binge drinking is an ongoing problem that shows us examples in the news every few months. Another problem is hazing that college administrations keep on their radar. It has gotten so out of hand, that college marching bands have had issues of hazing recently. Why it has even come up in regard to a recent Miss America winner. Hazing does not necessarily have to be practiced by a group, just one alcohol enhanced rogue fraternity or sorority member can cause a problem. Along with these issues follow racism, misogyny, homophobia, hyper masculinity, and a lack of common sense can take over and rear its ugly heads.

Fraternities and sororities are not for everyone, students can find however (as I did), other organizations that give members that sense of an extended family. Students can take part in the university experience by joining student clubs, intra-mural sports, study groups, professional organizations, special interest groups, or by just getting a job on campus. These are all highly recommended ways of socializing with your peers. I am not against students joining fraternities and sororities, it is a way of college life that many students enjoy and have fond memories of for the rest of their lives. My suggestion is to just take a serious look at what you are getting involved in, and judge your friends wisely.