All across the country on different college campuses Greek letters can be found. Whether, on a building, the back of a student’s shirt, or in the college newspapers these ancient letters can be spotted. The meaning of these letters is often questioned, each combination standing for a different thing. The Greek letters carry a lot of weight; often stirring up some controversy. How can a combination of two to three simple letters carry so much meaning? Although it is proven that extracurricular activities boost a student’s success, are Greek organization necessary (Astin)?  Throughout my research I have found that some schools are embracing new chapters, eliminating certain chapters, or even eliminating all Greek life in general. This past year at Harvard University a panel was created to eliminate all exclusive clubs from campus (Bidgood). Greek organizations have existed as early as December 5, 1776, yet they have only been regarded as problematic in recent years (“The History of Phi Beta Kappa”). The debate regarding the existence of sororities and fraternities could go on forever. However, it is apparent that sororities and fraternities have drifted from their original intent, academic organizations. This drift from tradition is double-edged in the sense that the many positive progressive changes and developments are overlooked, while the problems such as binge drinking, sexual assault, and hazing take the spotlight.

Before I take a closer look into this change it is important to share my current status regarding Greek Life. This past August I personally went through sorority recruitment, and am a new member of the Etta Gamma chapter of Chi Omega. Despite my evident association with Greek organizations my stance remains neutral. In fact, I believe that my new affiliation with Greek Life has enhanced my ethos on this particular topic. The media often paints a picture other than reality, so having both pictures truly allows to have a strong grasp on this topic. Having the ability to see behind the scenes allows me to see what most people cannot. Rather than being distracted by the new paper headlines. I am able to get the full picture of the positives that are often hidden by the negatives.

 It’s difficult to analyze the status of Greek Organizations without looking in to their history. Greek letter organizations have been established on campuses as early as the 1800’s. During this time education was being restricted and schools had to follow a specific curriculum. Fraternities were created as secret academic groups, where men would gather and share new knowledge and discoveries that was not always condoned through their educational systems. Sororities were also created for an academic platform for women to grow from one another. The first sororities were created as a place where women suffrage groups could grow in numbers and have a stronger central goal (Glass). Although it is fairly apparent that Greek Organizations have gone through a double-edged shift from its original intent, some argue that tradition of these organizations stays constant. Across different campuses there are different types of fraternities. Some of these fraternities are purely academic, and are created for individuals with similar interests to come together and help one another to succeed in their fields. The Beta Alpha Psi Fraternity is an academic fraternity that values the field of business related to finance. It the constitution of the fraternity, under Article one the purposes of the fraternity are stated. The founders stated that, “The purpose of Beta Alpha Psi shall be to: recognize outstanding academic achievement in the field of accounting, finance, and information systems; promote the study and practice of professional fields related to these disciplines” (“BAP Constitution and Bylaws”). The purposes stated in the very first article of the constitution demonstrate how the intent for this particular organization is to better the field of finance, and create a place where accomplished individuals with similar interest can join together to grow. Many other academic organizations, like Beta Alpha Psi are found all across the country. However, these organizations have gone through some type of shifts throughout the years. The membership guidelines have been changed to match our more accepting society. These Fraternities are no longer only comprised of men, but females are also welcome. Academic Organizations are less popular than other Greek Letter societies, and are not the Greek letter Organizations that I base my thesis off of. 

The Greek organizations that will be analyzed throughout this essay are categorized as social organizations. There are five categories or Greek organizations: social, service, professional, honors, and religious and ethnic. Social organization is the most popular and is the one majority of people think about when they hear the words fraternity or sorority. Although the organizations have aspects of community service and professional slant they revolve around other aspects. This classification is defined as organizations that revolve around the idea of building character and growth on a personal level. In addition, these organizations fall under this category because they discriminate based on gender. The final aspect that all Social organizations have a rigorous rush and pledge process. It is important to note that only social organizations will be analyzed throughout this essay (Nobile). The whole concept of a social Greek organization was never a through in the1800s when Greek life was created. The fact that there are different classifications of Greek life show an obvious shift they have gone through. When Greek life started they were solely academic, and all shared the same values. This shift is difficult to classify as positive or negative because some of the different classifications have positives that the original Greek Organizations did not. The different classifications make it evident that a shift has occurred in The Greek world. 

In addition to the creating of categories, the types of members in Greek Life highlights the shift. When Greek organizations were first created they had very strict guidelines regarding what member could be accepted. The first fraternities were made up solely of white males. Now many fraternities and sororities have guidelines that make such discrimination illegal. Christopher Moore, a professor at Ball State University gave a Ted Talk titled, “Diversity in Greek Life”. Christopher Moore is an African American male who joined a predominately white fraternity his freshman year of college. He said that he never felt more welcomed in a group and he discussed how his race was not a factor in joining Greek life. He explained of joining a fraternity allowed him to meet people who he could relate to more than ever before. He stated how he truly built a brotherly bond with many individuals, without race playing a factor. Moore’s personal connection with Greek organizations demonstrates one of the biggest progressive shifts Greek organizations have gone through. In addition to Moore, an article titled “When a Feminist Joins a Sorority”, highlights many diverse individuals who were able to create a bond they found after joining a sorority. The article discusses how women of all different cultures are using sororities to connect themselves with other strong feminist. One of the feminist highlighted in the article is Amulya Kandikonda, a Barnard Sophomore, who is Nigerian in lives in Miami. Most people when they think of the “sorority girl” think of a tall skinny blonde girl, but there has been an apparent shift that makes it impossible to define the “sorority girl”, because there isn’t just one type. Greek Organizations allow people to create lifetime connections with individuals who are very different than them, because they share one bond, their fraternity or sorority.  The ability for these diverse connections to be made demonstrates the progression that Greek Organizations have gone through throughout the years. 

Another positive shift that has occurred in the Greek world is their focus on community service. As mentioned earlier, Social Greek organizations also focus on community service. Nicole Glass, wrote an article in USA TODAY explaining the positives associated with Greek organizations that are normally not highlighted in national news. One of these positives are the numerous philanthropies Greek organizations are affiliated with. Each sorority is affiliated with a certain organization: Chi Omega is affiliated with The Make a wish foundation, Tri-Delta is affiliated with St. Jude’s research hospital, and Alpha Delta Pi is affiliated with The Ronald McDonald house(Glass). Chapters all over the county hold different events all year to raise awareness and money for their set philanthropy. In addition to their philanthropy many sororities also do work with other service projects within their community. The original intent for Greek Organizations was to spread knowledge and help improve society through education. Greek organizations now take that a step further by creating a place where thousands of individuals can come together to make a bugger change. The huge positive impact that Greek Organizations now have on society demonstrates an evident positive change that Greek Organizations have endured.

Sadly, the shift that has occurred in Greek Life in not all positive. There is a reason why I argue that the progression of these organizations is double-edged. One cannot ignore one of the biggest problems with Greek life- bring drinking. As Glass stated, “A study on the association between Greek life and drinking. The Harvard School of Public Health College Alcohol Study accumulated data and discovered, “Nonresident fraternity members binge drank (71%) at a higher rate than non-members (45%)” (Biddix,14). The studied found a very strong association between fraternities and binge drinking. In addition, the study took an even further look into the long-term effects of Greek organizations. Another study was conducted that confirmed the previously found data. Routon and Walker discovered, “Some negative effects of membership include more drinking during college, more time spent partying, and more excessive drinking post-college (for males)”. Throughout my research I found many studies demonstrating the same effect, therefore there is an obvious association between Greek organizations and binge drinking. A question arose, what causes this strong association between drinking and Greek Life. One explanation was the social atmosphere associated with these organizations. The atmosphere that now surround these organizations cause a big problem. It is very apparent that the Greek life atmosphere has gone through a negative shift causing many problems, such as binge drinking. 

The shift in the atmosphere of Greek Life has allowed for the eruption of more problems other than drinking. An element of Greek life that has emerged is Hazing. Hazing occurs in both Fraternities and sororities. Mikell wrote a book titled, “Getting Away with Murder: Hazing, Hegemonic Masculinity, and Victimization”, which went in great detail about the many secrets associated with Greek life. In the chapter about hazing the author explains the different types of hazing, “…physical punching, slapping, striking, kicking or beating. Also, males in the study considered forced sex acts and being locked in a room against one’s will” (qtd. Mikell). The chapter goes on with different examples of hazing and how such terrible acts are condoned. The realization is that non-members want to become members so badly that they accept the “team building acclivities”. The non-members even have to take an oath to never discuss these terrible acts. Another study was mentioned in the same chapter regarding the importance of hazing, “Interestingly, affiliated students believe that hazing of any sort does not benefit the group” (Mikell). A question arose, if members do not believe hazing has any benefits than why does it occur. Even a bigger question I show did hazing even become a part of Greek life. When Greek Organizations were first created the more members, they had the more successful they were in their goal- spreading knowledge. But Greek Organizations have become so exclusive that people are willing to go through terrible situations to prove themselves worthy members. The shift in the atmosphere of Greek organizations, especially the raise in exclusiveness, highlights the evident change from their original purpose. 

The biggest and most serious problem them that has arose due to the shifts in Greek organization is the lives that have been lost. As mentioned in the prior paragraphs, binge drinking and hazing have been made possible through the shift in the atmosphere of Greek organizations. These two problems have caused many lives each year to be lost. A study showed, “Since 1975, there has been at least one hazing-induced death per year across college campuses— and 82% of these have come as a result of binge drinking”(Glass).  All across the country news headlines highlight these tragic events. When the public thinks of fraternity deaths the most recent fraternities that come in mind are, Penn State, LSU, and Florida State. Just last year at Penn State a 19-year-old boy named Timothy Piazza died at a Betta Theta Phi party. Authorities fond footage that showed, “...the final hours of Tim Piazza’s life, including that he had been given at least 18 alcoholic drinks over 82 minutes at the Feb. 2 fraternity party” (Haag). The cause of Timothy’s death was binge drinking, which would not be a problem in the shift in Greek Organizations did not occur. Another tragic incident took place at LSU, where Maxwell Gruver-an 18-year-old freshman died. Gruver died during a fraternity hazing ordeal in which, “The pledges were told to line up in a dark hallway and place their noses and toes against the wall, the warrant said. A strobe light was flashing and loud music was playing” (Saul). Gruver’s life could have been saved if the desertion from Greek organizations did not occur, since hazing was not an original part of these organizations. The most recent death occurred at Florida State, the head line read, “Florida State Suspends all Greek Life after pledge dies” (Levenson and Hassan). A 20-year-old pledge named, Andrew Coffey died after a party at a Phi Delta Theta party. The party scene was never a part of the original Greek organizations if the shift never occurred another life could have been saved. It is evident that the drift from Greek organizations original purpose  

The shift in Greek organization is two sided, in the sense that there are many positive and negative changes. It is nearly impossible to make a conclusion regarding the existence of these organizations because of this double-sided shift. These organizations have produced many influential people in our society, 76% of US senators, 63% of the US Presidential Cabinet, 85% of Fortune 500 executives, and 18 Presidents (Routon and Walker). How can one argue the elimination of these organization, if many of its members have helped run this country? However, one can also not turn a blind eye to the numerous problems and stereotypes associated with these Organizations. The combinations of two to three ancient letters carry a heavy impact of today’s society. Not only does it affect college campuses, but it affects the country. As Nicole glass simply states, “At the end of the day it’s up to the students to define their reputations”. The shift that has occurred in Greek life is very double sided, so it is up to the current members and the new members to make the shift positive. 
