Greek Life on College campuses is a topic with, as of late,
a negative forefront, but a positive base. As stated in USA Today, “Hazing
scandals make headlines – and fundraisers and philanthropy events generally do
not.” So, what is so appealing about these organizations that make young
individuals go to such dangerous lengths to wear a few letters on their chest? It
may be the positive statistics that surround Greek Orgs, such as 85% of Fortune
500 company executives were part of Greek Life, or graduation rates are 20%
higher among Greeks than non-Greeks. There could also be the pull of a more fun
and social experience while at school and leaning more towards the partying
side of college.
On most campuses, apparel with Greek organization names are
around every turn and in most cases, it is not just one person walking alone
wearing their letters. The power-in-numbers feel takes affect when you are
walking through campus or into a party with a group of your “brothers” or
“sisters”. What is interesting, is what most of those individuals will say when
asked why they joined, “I never thought I would join Greek life”. Greek life is
not the same as it was back in the 1860s when it was first created, now one
friend convinces another to go to an event or party, and then that friend
convinces another, and down the line it goes. The interest in joining the
organization occurs when said individual realizes the potential for cohesion
with this group of random people through common interests or backgrounds.
With such impactfull networking capabilities through alumni,
to the amount of charity that can be performed for other organizations, there
is one thing that creates that dark cloud over the Greek Life name, hazing. For
all of the positive things to be attained, contacts with professional adults, an
addition on a resume, hazing looms over all. The statistic of one hazing
related-death per year since 1975, 82% of which are binge drinking related, has
become rather skewed since this is becoming more frequent. In 2017, there were
many colleges that suspended Greek life due to hazing related deaths, campuses
like Florida State University, Texas State University, and Louisiana State
University. It was then thought that total removal of Greek Life would create
underground fraternities, which would entail minimal to no oversight by the university
or academic adviser.
From this, we can see that against even harsh times, that
companionship, like-mindedness, and social downfall will bring others together.
Trying to remain a legitimate organization even against something dramatic like
a death from another university is a great example of collective effort, trying
to rally and unite the belief that Greek life can have its positive sides even
with its negative.
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I agree that Greek life can have many positive benefits for an individual such as volunteer and networking opportunities and friendship with like-minded people; however, my issue with Greek life is so much more than just the fact that sometimes, and very rarely, hazing occurs. Greek life, whether they try to or not, promote drinking and partying. I am speaking from experience, as I had a close friend in a sorority who put my name on some list to allow me to go to the various frat parties that occur every weekend. My friend was sexually assaulted at a frat party and another friend joined a sorority that made her leave her phone at the house while she was pledging and had a curfew (mild form of hazing in my opinion). I am the president of another org and I've had many members drop out because they joined Greek life, which has so many mandatory events that they didn't have time for anything else. Sorry to berate Greek life.. I understand that for some people it can be a very positive experience but there's more to the negative aspects than just hazing.
ReplyDeleteThe original reason for hazing was to weed out those who do not truly want to be a member. This obviously could be extreme at some times, but generally this is really toned down. I think that because it is toned down, when there are accidents they are more rare. The media jumps on these to get a story, so pretty much every accident is broadcasted. Looking at actual statistics would probably show there really aren't that many negatives, and the inclusiveness is unlike any other organization.
DeleteI agree with Alex in saying there are not may negatives to this style of organization. As for Cassies comments regarding time commitments and other things, from my experience, everyone unites under one principal regardless of national vs local, fraternity vs sorority: school is the number one in reason we are here, so it takes precedence. I am sorry to hear that people left your organization, but it is possible to be apart of an organization or two while being a member of Greek life, I know many people that do.
DeleteThere are some Greek organizations that are actually good and have benefits. However, like stated above, hazing happens. It is unfortunate... the problem with hazing is that no one reports it until a death occurs.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cassie... being apart of Greek life can be beneficial and there are good and bad aspects to it. Not every sorority or fraternity is bad.
Nice Posted Johnny! I really enjoyed the stats, I myself am not in greek life but I think it is relatable to sports. Many successful people were also student-athletes. It teaches another wow factor to whoever is involved. I also see many similarities with group cohesion and the process for joining. I happy there are alternatives for those not sport oriented that get people out and about engaging in something bigger than themselves :)
ReplyDeleteExactly, Greek life provides another outlet for people to unite with similar interests. Whether that be cross country skiing or other factors
DeleteI think you can really learn a lot socially from being involved in Greek life. The hazing process is a relationship builder for all members involved. The bonds you create with your brothers or sisters are probably unlike anything else in life.
ReplyDeleteI also think it is unfortunate that the news gives Greek life such a negative impression. Perhaps it's just the nature of the news to focus on the negative things. But since most people utilize the availability heuristic, it makes it difficult for people to see the positive aspects about Greek life.
There are things that classrooms cannot teach, such as the soft-skills we all hear about when career fair comes around and things of that nature. I am glad that you pointed out the fact that the increase social interactions can promote personal development as well.
DeleteI think it is unfortunate that a few people can ruin the reputations of all members of Greek Life. I also believe that it is so awful that people want to be a part of some groups so badly, they will go to such extreme lengths to gain the approval of these groups. I think that in these situations, individuals feel so powerless compared to the groups, and act unreasonably. I think it is a positive thing that attention is being brought upon hazing, along with a negative stigma against it. It seems that there is a movement against hazing, which is the best thing that can be done to prevent more tragedies.
ReplyDeleteI think that as long as these Greek life organizations have good leadership and direction, in order to prevent the negative effects of hazing, then they do have the capacity to do good for their community and for each other. The problem does come in when people aren't responsible, and look after the people in their fraternities or sororities. Individuals have a responsibility to know their own limits, and know when they're pushing themselves too far. That being said, the people in Greek life also have a responsibility to look after their members and their pledges, and not ask them to do anything that may harm or kill someone.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be interesting to separate this topic and go more in depth with investigating some of the social differences between fraternities and sororities rather than the general similarities and underlying social goals. I think Michigan Tech in some ways, has changed my perception of sororities (at least my experience with and knowledge of them in the last 3 years being a student here). Although, I am not a member of a sorority I have witnessed much more of the positive community interactions through sorority events and some of the good things that they are doing - I hear and see these things more often than I hear about the negative (again speaking specifically about Michigan Tech). I am not as familiar with any controversy regarding Michigan Tech fraternities. But, I did just want to comment and say that for the most part my experience at Michigan Tech with Greek Life has impacted my perspective more for the positive than the negative attention, especially brought on by the media.
ReplyDeleteThere is definitely a negative stigma associated with Greek life that is primarily portrayed by media outlets, and you are totally right, they definitely highlight the negative events and aspects of greek life instead of the positive ones. However, I believe that fundamentally, there should be no situations that someone in greek life should have to behave, or be encouraged to behave, in such a way that would cause harm or even get killed. Compared to other groups which also positively benefit the community with public service (such as key clubs, scouting, sports teams, and outdoor benefit groups) you very seldom see the positive things these groups are doing being portrayed by the news, but then again, you never see them in the news really at all, which is a fault of the news by never really highlighting the positive actions of groups instead of the negative ones. That being said, I would rather be a part of an organization that sees no media attention than negative attention, and seeing as there are plenty of organizations that are capable of doing just that, there is an underlying flaw with greek life. I believe many of these underlying flaws are psychological and due largely to the deindividuation of members during "initiation" events, along with some level of lower self-esteem or need for belonging that combined, create a very dangerous scenario.
ReplyDeleteI had not thought of these events as strengthening the bonds of members, which I no doubt think that it does, but placing people at risk of any harm seems to be a pretty large flaw with what is considered a norm amongst groups. If there was a way to encourage people to step up within the in-group of greek life when something bad was happening, or alter initiation practices so they are bond-strengthening but not harm-inducing than I would certainly be much more inclined to think differently of deaths associated with greek life activities.
I am also very aware that this absolutely does not apply to all greek organizations and groups, and my personal experience with greek life at Tech has been tremendously positive, but the fact that many undesirable actions are still considered normative remains a disheartening fact. What steps do you think we can take, both those who are and are not involved in greek life, to try and encourage healthy behavior and a more positive representation of these organizations?
I think Greek life has definitely been perceived as dangerous and risky in the past few years. It's sad to see that a social group such as Greek life has received such a bad reputation because of a few horrible incidents. I do believe that Greek life has the ability to make people feel as though they are a part of something and it allows students to find friends with similar interests. However, it is sad to see just how far some people are willing to go to fit into the social group.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Olivia, that it is rather sad to see the lengths people go to to become accepted into the org, but as a previous commentor mentioned, those bonds that are made during the harder times are what create those lasting and trusting relationships.
DeleteI have always considered joining a greek org myself. It is a shame that they have a negative representation to some people. I know for me I would probably be less likely to join one because of some of those negative comments people make towards them. I don't have many friends that are involved in greek life, so I wasn't as exposed to it. I like that you included actual facts about statistics of success and the over exaggerated numbers of drinking related problems. Overall it was nice to read and granted me further inside to Greek Life.
ReplyDeleteNo matter the group or organization there are going to be good and bad parts. I myself have looked into joining the greek life, but have found that it wasn't for me even though I love the amount of volunteering greek life does. Although, like you mentioned in your post, only the bad things about greek life are highlighted in the newsletters which is a sad disappointment. Unfortunately, since a few sororities/fraternities went overboard with their hazing the whole greek life is being scrutinized.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking about these sort of discussions a lot lately regarding greek life. When does hazing begin and requirements to join stop is something I have been particularly perplexed about. If I may make an analogy, in order to become a doctor you have to go to medical school and pass your boards. This desireable outcome has a number of hoops that you have to jump through in order to obtain. Many of these can be considered arbitrary and not assistive in anyway to becoming a good doctor. Similarly, we can view entering a greek org as the desireable outcome. At what point do the hoops you jump through become hazing and at what point is it something that you just have to do to obtain the thing you want?
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, I have never really given any type of Greek Life organization a chance because of fears of being hazed and what not, even though it is a rare occurrence. In my mind any form of the matter whether it be mild or extreme would not be a fun time and it would have a really negative impact on my life. What i do think is that Greek Life does offer some very great opportunities such as community service and a sense of belonging to its members, but unfortunately I don't think I will ever get myself into that scene.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting reading in the post and some of the comments, about the intense bond between members of a fraternity/sorority. It makes me think, why would this bond be considered any more intense than any other friendship? Because you have paid for it? With either actual money or time or hazing? I am not a part of any sort of Greek Life, and yet I have a very close bond with my best friends. I see or talk to them every single day. I’ve lived with them, been with them through thick and thin. I consider them family. Some I’ve known since grade school, but even the friends I’ve made in the past few years at Tech, I’ve grown extremely close to. I guess I just don’t see how being part of Greek Life makes your relationships with friends any closer or more important than any other friendship.
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