Sororities and fraternities have been struggling in the media lately. The news has been jammed pack with hazing allegations, parties getting out of control and organizations getting kicked off campus. So if Greek life is so toxic, why is it still around?
While it’s not true to say all Greek organizations are corrupt, it’s also not fair to say that everything is peaches and cream.
According to Bloomberg, there were 98 offenses reported against fraternities and sororities from January-March 2015. These wrongdoings include 29 reports of hazing, 13 reports of underage drinking, 13 reports of sexual misconduct and four reports of death. These investigations report men beating up members of other fraternities while women have their “fat” on their bodies circled and paraded around for their peers to see.
Other issues with Greek organizations have been around much longer. The exclusivity of the groups can cause many to believe that sororities/fraternities are elitists; they only accept “attractive” people, kicking others to the curb. There have been multiple reports of females being asked to lose more weight in order to stay in the club. In addition, some men and women are “hidden” during rush so that incoming members don’t see the “ugly” people.
Despite the issues emerging in Greek societies, it’s important to remember that bad news makes for good headlines, but good news often goes unrecognized.
One positive impact of Greek life is philanthropy. The Fraternity Advisor wrote, “Over $7 million is raised each year by Greeks nationally.” All of that money goes to different organizations and eventually helps out the community as a whole.
That’s not all. There are many leadership opportunities for members of Greek organizations. These men and women have the chance to build their management skills, which is a great addition for their resumes. Not to mention all the connections members make inside and outside of their school’s chapter.
At the end of the day, it’s important to make sure the people with whom you surround yourself are positive people who work to change the world for the better. In college, it’s hard to find a supportive friend group, and Greek organizations can be an easy way to make friends and grow as a community.
