Greek letter Organizations have been present on college campuses for almost as long as colleges have been around; however, public opinion on fraternities and sororities is often pretty low. People have began to ask questions on what these Greek organization are doing and what they offer to its participants and to the college campuses. Since the 1978 release of the movie "Animal House" often a party scene is associated with fraternities and sororities. This association of partying and drinking is fueled by the media, which typically reports and talks about specific chapters that have had incidents involving alcohol and partying.    I believe this association is unfair and unjustified in making it about all fraternities and sororities as it is not true that these things occur within every single chapter. However, these stories portrayed in the media over the past several years has led to the stereotype of partying and alcohol being prevalent in Greek organizations. While, I do not see the correlation between large amounts of partying and drinking with all fraternities and sororities there is no denying that some chapters have higher amounts of alcohol use, yet I believe that these chapters are in the minority and should be dealt with on a chapter specific basis.  

Through my research and experience I believe that Greek organizations are extremely beneficial and valuable to both its participants as well as the college campuses that they reside on. Greek organizations offer many valuable components to the community and enrich a students educational and life experience. Greek organizations help in the community through philanthropy.   Greek organizations have a serious impact on its members in regards to their education. Research shows being a member of either a fraternity or a sorority increases a students chance of going to graduate school. In addition to higher chances of going to grad school students are also more likely to stay in school and graduate within four years. Being a Greek life member also offers better time management and leadership skills. In my opinion Greek organizations are essential to college campuses and offer many beneficial qualities to those involved in them.  

Sandra Weaver Long in her article "Policing the Greeks" introduces many of the negative aspects that are often dramatized by the media and thus casting a negative shadow over fraternities and sororities as a whole. Long does not limit her discussion of just alcohol abuse and partying. She also introduces the idea of sexual assaults and hazing being intertwined with Greek letter organizations. Long makes the point that if fraternities and sororities do not change then they will cease to exist. I feel this is an unfair conclusion to make as this would entail punishing everyone who is a part of something for what only some ignorant members are doing. A. Ayers Boswell and Joan Spade in their study also examine sexual assault and a rape-culture that is linked to fraternities. They attempt to define areas of high risk and areas of low risk for females. In the conclusion of the study the two indicate that "The degradation of women as portrayed in rape culture was not found in all fraternities on this campus." To me this is obvious what needs to be done. Chapters that have issues with sexual assault and rape  culture need to be terminated and removed from campus as they are acting in inappropriate ways that go against what the values of Greek Organizations stand for.  

Often in the media a higher rate of sexual assault lingers within and around fraternities. Peggy Reeves Sanday in her book “Fraternity Gang Rape” looks to examine the sexual culture surrounding fraternities. She says in her book, " Let it be thought that all fraternities are rape-prone, it is important to note that this is not the case." (Sanday 17) As a member of a fraternity I can appreciate this quote from Sanday as she makes the point that while yes some fraternities have issues and incidents with sexual assault that not all them elicit such behavior. This stereotype of fraternities is unfair to make just as the association that all Greek organizations partake in drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.  

Student involvement on college campuses is essential to the well being of the school. Student involvement enriches the school and allows it to run smoother as it means that students are actively engaged in their environment and community. According to Wesley Routon, being a member of a Greek letter organization leads to students being more involved on their campus. A study done by Routon shows that being in a fraternity increases your likelihood of being in student government by 7 percentage points, and that being in a sorority increases your chances of being in student government by 4 percent. This indicates the importance of both fraternities and sororities for college campuses. Without these Greek organizations college campuses would be more full of uninvolved students. This shows just one of the positive impacts that fraternities and sororities have on college campuses and why they are essential to colleges. 

Academics can be accepted as the number one most important thing when it comes to college for certainly almost everyone. Education is what brings students to college and is often a tool used to measure how successful one is in life. Wesley Routon in his article "Going Greek: Academics, Personal Change, and Life after College" shows the positive effects being a member of a fraternity or a sorority will have on your education. Routon tells us that only 36 percent of students at flag-ship state universities and 19% of students at non-flagship state schools graduate within four years. He then uses results from a study that show members of Greek organizations are 5 percent more likely to graduate within four years. This is likely a result of Greek life members remaining within school and staying full-time students as a requirement to be an active member of their sorority or fraternity. This is not the only way that being affiliated with a fraternity or sorority will boost ones education. Another way education is positively affected by being a part of Greek life is that chances of attending graduate school increases with being in a fraternity or sorority. Field study shows that members of fraternities are three percent more likely to go to graduate school and sorority members are two percent more likely to attend graduate school. Despite, what some think there is no statistical research that shows being in a Greek organization has a sizeable overall impact on GPA. Routon's study shows that sorority membership has no effect on GPA at graduation and fraternity memberships relates to a -.05 effect to grade point average. Overall, being an active member of a Greek organization has a positive impact on its members education as it leads to better chances of finishing school in a timely manner, also increasing your chances of furthering your education in graduate school.  

While Greek Organizations offer positive effects on education at times being a Greek affiliate has negative effects on education and this requires attention. A study done by Andrew De Donato and James Thomas shows that being a member of a fraternity or sorority can effect GPA in specific semesters in a noticeable amount. Results show that joining a fraternity will cause your Freshman spring semester grade point average to drop by .168 points. This likely results from new members going through a period of new member education. This can add more work to a students workload and make it hard for them to find time to effectively meet all their needs as a student. These results indicate that something needs to be done in regards to new member education. Possibly new member education could be moved to the summer once freshman year is over or  new member education could be extended so its not as much added to the course load. On the other hand for sorority members their GPA is negatively effected during Spring semesters following freshman year as they are recruiting and educating new members. This shows that for sorority members that less needs to be required of members in terms of recruiting. This should be a job for possibly alumni or others to take the work load of the active members who are in still in school.  Being in a Greek organization can have negative effects on education in specific semesters but overall membership does not have an adverse effect on education.  

 

Greek organizations often instill strong moral codes that its members tend to try and live by. This is important in that it leads to students that are respectful and behave well at college. As a member of Kappa Alpha Order at the University of South Carolina we take a code that defines what a true gentleman is and how they should act. Robert  E. Lee said about the true gentleman  

“The forbearing use of power does not only form a touchstone, but the manner in which an individual enjoys certain advantages over others is a test of a true gentleman. 

The power which the strong have over the weak, the employer over the employed, the educated over the unlettered, the experienced over the confiding, even the clever over the silly–the forbearing or inoffensive use of all this power or authority, or a total abstinence from it when the case admits it, will show the gentleman in a plain light 

The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He cannot only forgive, he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which impart sufficient strength to let the past be but the past. A true man of honor feels humbled when he cannot help humbling others.” 

 This definition means a lot to each and every member of Kappa Alpha. The definition is not just used here at USC as a model for a true  gentleman, but rather by every chapter of Kappa Alpha nationwide. This definition creates members that are very respectful and humble in relations with others. It leads to a group of people that are striving to be the best they can and in doing so helping others along the way. Kappa Alpha is not alone in setting a high moral standard for its members. Many other fraternities have their own version of how they expect their members to interact with others. These models for behavior that are set up by Greek organizations provide a backbone for positive behavior that is then spread throughout college campuses.  

Greek Organizations help the community through philanthropies. In just my one semester of an active member of Kappa Alpha I have personally witnessed philanthropy raising substantial amounts of money for such a good cause. This past October was our parents weekend when we held a function called "Dancing With the KA's" at this function we were able to raise $24,259 for Camp Kemo. Another time I witnessed my fraternity giving back to the community was after the flood that happened in Columbia during 2015. KA members went around Columbia helping businesses and home owners clean their property after the terrible flood. This was prior to me being a member of Kappa Alpha and is part of the reason I decided to join as I saw a group of people that come together and help others. Through philanthropies and other community service Greek Organizations are able to interact with the community. As a group of people working for the same cause they are able to accomplish a lot of good things for the community.  

As I gathered data and research and added in my personal experiences I hold the opinion and urge others to identify all the good things that Greek organizations do for colleges and community. I do recognize the flaws that do associate with Fraternities and sororities and rather than say we should put an end to Greek life I say terminate problemed chapters and allow the chapters that are acting for the good of colleges should remain. Greek organizations offer an enhanced educational experience for its member, produce a better student involved campus, and provide for communities through philanthropies and community service. These great actions solidify Greek organizations place on college campuses and explain why these organizations are here to stay. 
