<p>I know that greek life is supose to teach you loyalty and w/e. But to me it looks like its just an excuse to party and get drunk. I think my mindset is wrong, because why would college advertise their involvment in greek life? Is this always the case?</p>
<p>im willing to bet that frats do more volunteer work that the vast majority of other student organizations. also, so what if they throw parties? its entertainment for the kids on campus who seek it, and others shouldnt have a problem with it</p>
<p>schools dont really advertise it, most actually try to hide it. go to any schools website, its like a maze to try to find the greek sections. the reason they state the percentage is so people know how much it dominates campus life</p>
<p>Greeks do a lot for the community when most students seem to be completely unaware that they don't own Lawrence. I think the system is an asset to schools. </p>
<p>Alcohol is definitely NOT an asset, but there is plenty of partying and drinking going on without any Greek affiliation. In fact, most of the really loud parties around here are either in the student ghetto or other off-campus areas near the high school (older, bigger houses in otherwise quiet neighborhoods with 4-ish roomates whose parents are paying their rent). A friend of mine lives across the street from a frat house and hasn't had any real problems. Her dad, a professor at the same school, hasn't complained either.</p>
<p>Hopefully, I will be selected to pledge the music fraternity on campus. FYI their pledging process is 'dry' meaning that if I were to get caught with alcohol, I would be expelled from the pledging process. I can't speak much about the other frats on campus; they have frequent parties at their houses, but people must bring their own beer. One aspect about fraternity life that I am really attracted to is the instant connections that brothers have with eachother, no matter where they are. At a recent rush, brothers and prospective members (like me) came together and had an instant connection. They were all bound together through their love of music an pledged commitment to furthing the art. We had a great, sober, time.</p>
<p>why dont you try it for yourself. i felt the same way, but now im greek.</p>
<p>Short answer: yes.</p>
<p>dont listen to most people on these boards. its better to trust your own judgement, than most of the hacks on this board. rush if you are interested.</p>
<p>Rushing might be a good idea if you are interested. Rushing doesn't mean that you're pledging or anything like that, just hanging out with the guys to see how well you fit with them. Go to the rush with some friends, that way if it's a bad, drunken frat, or something like that, you can just leave. I do feel that I must half-disagree with MrTrojanMan, you should listen to arguments from both sides; that's why message boards exist. Although, posting something like "Short answer: yes." is just uninformative and useless. I would like to hear specific, first hand examples of experiences with frats.</p>
<p>this is an argument thats often one sided. i will always side for frats, always. thats why i said just rush and figure things for yourself. </p>
<p>i will say one thing about, only one first hand experience: the most enjoyable most memorable times i have had at school were in the presence of my bros or involving my frat in some way. </p>
<p>in addition, i feel that i have learned more in 2 yrs of bening involved in frat than the 17 yrs preceding that time.</p>
<p>but i joined for the right reasons, b/c i chose a frat that i made a lot of friends in.</p>
<p>
When I said "specific" example I meant a first hand account of a unique event, i.e. when I talked about how the Fullerton guys and Redlands guys instantly clicked as brothers, even though many of them had never met before. The quote above is an example of a broad generalization that covers many, indistinct events. While interesting, it contains little useable fact for making an argument in favor of the greek life. Since every fraternity is different, it would be interesting to hear about and compare the wide ranges of experiences that people have to share.</p>
<p>PS: I just found out from the brothers this morning that I will become an official pledge come 9:00 tonight.</p>
<p>There are 11 of us from my fraternity senior class of 1975 that still stays in contact with one another. Email has been wonderful in keeping the connection alive. We don't all stay in contact with each of the other 10, it's more of a ladder by geographics and strength of 30 year old friendships.</p>
<p>The bottom line is - it is a great group of guys with the unifying factor of our fraternity membership. We are currently working on a 30 year reunion. The great thing is that when we get together we pick up like we saw each other the day before yesterday.</p>
<p>well ok heres one: after a party at newport beach, 2 of my bros and i sat outside sharing a case and what was left of our keg on the balcony, just talking while looking into the ocean. we were there until the sun came up. one the most memorable, best times ive had. you see, its a certain moment like that that would show you no value but is something to me. thats why specific examples wont tell you much. i could go on and on, but you still wont understand the value of such fun times. thats why i was being vague.</p>
<p>If you told the OP to trust his own judgement, TrojanMan, you'd be arguing against yourself, because his judgement is the opposite of yours. Basically you're telling him to trust your judgement, which is fine too, because that's what he asked for, but don't just muddy the waters.</p>
<p>You and DeadParrot are arguing on the same side regardless.</p>
<p>I definitely know people who have gone greek and do not drink. They still go to parties and hang out with their friends, but they just don't drink. And if you feel uncomfortable about that, you can just hold a cup, and that way no one will ever ask you if you want a drink.</p>
<p>Also, there are fraternities and sororities that are Christian, or similar interest, etc. You can always find greek organizations to join that aren't all about the party. And if you do like to party, you just don't want that to be all that it's about, it's definitely not. Everyone I know has made amazing friendships, and they love just hanging around the house watching a movie, or doing stuff other than drink. And there is philanthropy, too, of course.</p>
<p>you should read the book "Pledged".</p>
<p>why do people always have to analyze what i say? i give up. just rush.</p>
<p>pedged is utter nonsense, some of the things ive read in that book i could never imagine, unless it was written in 1970. i know lots of sorority girls. most of them are more normal than most people ive met.</p>
<p>^durex is better :D</p>
<p>different frats have different policies, you have to get to know each of them individually to make an informed decision.</p>
<p>yep... greek = alcohol</p>
<p>In my experience, yes. Why? Well, just spend some time with some frat people and you shall see. "Pledged" is not full of crap. Well, at least it is not in regard to national Panhellenic sororities. As an ex-sorority member, I know this.</p>