If there is one thing in this world that I am very passionate about, it’s my sorority. My sisters are the loves of my life, and I will remember my college years as being the best years of my existence thanks to them. They do so much for me, and have been such a huge part of me growing up. However, there are several people in this country who look down upon people, like myself, that are involved with their college’s greek life. And why do they do this? Well, sometimes its because they’re jealous, sometimes its because it was never for them, and sometimes its because they’re just… well, ignorant.
When I first came to Montevallo, I was never planning on going through sorority recruitment. I had seen movies and tv shows depicting greek life as one big ragefest where all the girls were slutty and all the guys were stupid. However, once I got here and saw that greek life was totally different, I loosened up to the idea of being in a sorority. I know that this life isn’t for everyone. Some people like to be independent, and thats ok. What I’m saying is just not ok is when people bash greek organizations based on no knowledge whatsoever of the community.
For those of you who don’t know anything about greek life and you think that greeks act like this:
or this
let me give you some statistics:
- A U.S. Government study shows that over 70% of all those who join a fraternity/sororitiy graduate, while under 50% of all non-fraternity/sorority persons graduate.
- 850,000 hours are volunteered by greeks annually
- Of the nation’s 50 largest corporations, 43 are headed by fraternity men.
- A National Conference report shows a high percentage of the 4,000 NIC fraternity chapters are above the All-Men’s scholastic average on their respective campuses.
And those are just a few of the statistics that I found (you can read more statistics here). So first of all, let the record show that we are not stupid. Greeks (as a whole) generally have a higher GPA than independents (as a whole). We’re also more likely to graduate school. Second of all, we’re not selfish. Every greek organization has a philanthropy that they raise money for. I know that in my sorority we also go and volunteer for our charity at least 3 times a semester. Greek life also gives people opportunities to network for their career… because, lets face it, a lot of careers are about who you know just as much as they are about what you know.
A lot of you probably have heard of this website www.totalfratmove.com. And for those of you who haven’t, first of all – consider it a blessing, and second of all it’s kind of like a “my life is average” or “fml” but for greek life. The whole website is a satire based on the greek community in the US. While I can laugh at some of the posts and say to my sisters, “Yeah… that’s totally true,” a lot of what is said on the website is not alright and it’s giving greek life a very bad image. It’s basically giving people fuel to say terrible things about greek organizations and make fun of them. Total frat move is this culture based on those few people in sororities and fraternities who don’t live up the values of their particular organization, and, frankly, I’m tired of being judged by people for what is said on that website.
So first of all, I want to ask a question to those of you who are greek:
What do you all think of total frat move and how it affects the way that we (and our organizations) are seen?
Secondly, I’d like to ask some questions to those of you who are not greek:
What do you personally think of greek life? Is total frat move something you judge a lot of greeks for?
Greek life is a culture on this campus, and hundreds of other campuses across the nation. It’s not something I take lightly, and yet there are several people that think its okay to poke fun at it. We’re not buying our friends, and if we were, I don’t think I’m paying enough.
Abigail,
I think it would be beneficial for you to respond to the videos you’ve posted. Why exactly are the videos satirizing? Another thing to consider is that you argue that many people criticized Greek life because they are ignorant to the realities behind it, so is it possible to be fair and critical of something you’re not a part of? There is a difference between making fun of Greek life and being critical of it, so where do we draw the difference? Would it be appropriate for an unaffiliated person to go against what being affiliated means?
Also, how would you respond to those are active Greeks who make fun of collegiate Greek culture? I would imagine that not all of the satirists are independents.
Also, I would like for you to respond to what it’s like being Greek—more than the traditional resume-building answers, but what it means to be part of a sister/brotherhood.
I think the idea of building a collegiate family is really complicated, but it’s definitely worth exploring. The ideas surrounding Greek life can be applied to the College Night experience, too…(I think.)
As someone who entered college knowing I wouldn’t be going Greek I have to say I was probably one of those people who stereotyped Sorority girls and Frat guys. But after actually coming to college and getting to know some of them, and also making friends before they rushed and seeing that they were still the same person, I felt really bad that I had thought of them the way I did. The statistics you mentioned really showed me some things I didn’t know about Greek life. I have to commend them for their service to nonprofits!
The reason I’m not a Greek is because I don’t feel as though I have the time for it. I already do volunteer work which takes a lot of my time.
After reading your post and watching the videos, I really feel more connected to the people on campus who are Greeks. Even though it isn’t something that I’m interested in, no one should judge or look down upon someone just because they want to be a part of a group who helps them and supports them!
Jennifer C.
I think Greek life is awesome; howeve, Im not there yet because I wanted a great gpa before I tried. Greek life is a great way to have a family away from home and a group of people who has bonded for life with the same interests. What I feel about Greek life is all positive.