<p>I am fairly familiar with the Greek system and feel that we should have an open and candid discussion of our opinions of the system as a whole. </p>
<ol>
<li> What are the pros and cons of fraternity and sorority life?<br></li>
<li> How much familiarity do you have with the Greek system?</li>
<li> In what ways would you change the system?</li>
</ol>
<p>I will start. I am a member of a fraternity at large public university in the Midwest. I feel
that the Greek system overall provides students with great opportunity to network, socialize
and have fun in a controlled environment while competing their undergraduate degrees. However, the activities can often distract students from their educational activities. I think the system is pretty close to as good as it can get, but am open to any suggestions.</p>
<p>I get the feeling that a lot of people here are opposed to and outwardly revile greek life because, one, a lot of people here don’t party and for some reason loathe people that do (and especially people that are able to party a lot but still keep up good grades). Two, they don’t like the exclusivity of greek life. And three, they don’t really understand it the way you and I do as members of the greek community. All most people see of greek life is Animal House and however else Hollywood wants to portray it. While that’s obviously not even close to reality, it’s hard to really understand it if you’re not part of it.</p>
<p>I’m Greek and absolutely adore it! Its so much more then people think it is, there’s a lot more involved in Greek life then house parties and permanent drunk states!</p>
<p>I’m Greek, and I love it. There are so many more benefits to Greek life than just access to parties and all that. There’s being able to have so many avenues for leadership experience and philanthropy. There are many memories to be made when going Greek, and the bond you get with your sisters or brothers cannot be duplicated anywhere else. Quite simply, it’s one of those things that you cannot fully explain from the inside and never fully understand from the outside.</p>
<p>I find most fraternity men and sorority women to be fine folks. There’s maybe one fraternity at my uni that’s got a high share of unsavory characters.</p>
<p>Greek life is awesome. You can make so many friends and great connections. A lot of fraternities and sororities at my University are adding library hours on week nights to make sure their members are getting their work done. And a few of the fraternities have gym hours now to make sure their members stay in shape.</p>
<p>I knew I wanted to join a fraternity before I came to college because most of my friends that I knew in High School that graduated before me had very positive experiences in being greek. I couldn’t imagine not being in one when I look back at all the years I’ve been in this school. I even can’t imagine attending another school for that matter. I’ve had a great time so far. </p>
<ol>
<li><p>There are many pros like making connections with many many people, advice from seniors, resume building positions, connections for when you graduate, and etc. I can’t really think of a con at the moment. </p></li>
<li><p>I’m in a fraternity</p></li>
<li><p>Our system at my school is pretty solid. We have the largest Greek system in the country, we raise the most money as a whole than any other system in the nation, there are also a lot of ways to get involved on campus. Idk much about other greek heavy schools.</p></li>
</ol>
To answer this, let me provide you with a sample of what annoys me personally:</p>
<p>
No, we’re not jealous of you guys. I don’t loathe people who part. When my roommate (who happens to be a bit of a lightweight) is made to drink too much alcohol while pledging and then throws up all over our floor, yeah that annoys me. </p>
<p>
Um, yeah? Us GDIs call this ‘having friends’.</p>
<p>
I’m an adult now. Why would I want to be treated like a child? SHM.</p>
<p>To sum it up, people in greek life are generally pretentious as hell. I don’t dislike everyone in greek life, but of the people that I dislike, a disproportionate amount are greek.</p>
<p>This is like arguing that being with a prostitute is so much better than having a girlfriend/boyfriend, but the rest of us can’t understand this because we’ve never been with one.</p>
<p>If you can’t give a single reason why this ‘bond’ with your brothers/sisters is better than friendship, stop talking about it as one of the pros of greek life.</p>
<p>
See maizeandblue21’s quote. If that isn’t pretentiousness, I don’t know what is.</p>
<p>I wish I had joined a fraternity or at least rushed one. I was gonna rush Phi Chi Theta last semester but their events conflicted with some mandatory class events. Next semester I’m gonna be a 2nd semester junior so I doubt any org would take me at this point lol.</p>
<p>1. What are the pros and cons of fraternity and sorority life?</p>
<p>-pros</p>
<p>new friends and networks, including alumni
social events such as parties, formals, mixers, and brotherhood/sisterhood trips
part of something that is ideally going to better you and others (philanthropy)</p>
<p>-cons</p>
<p>possible exposure to demeaning activities or hazing
some degree of exclusiveness to people not in the system
sometimes a pretty significant time/financial commitment</p>
<p>2. How much familiarity do you have with the Greek system?</p>
<p>I’m fairly familiar having been to a number of events; and personally being a member of a fraternity at my school. Most fraternities at Cornell are governed by a council, which comprises of a fairly organized representational body and executive board. Sororities are governed pretty much the same way. Their rush process is quite different, though. And there aren’t as many of them, either.</p>
<p>3. In what ways would you change the system?</p>
<p>Every school has its own situation, but I personally would try to attack the petty recruitment discrimination that currently exists among some of the fraternities. That in itself is fairly difficult, and perhaps even impossible.</p>
<p>I was pretty much sure I was going to join a fraternity when I came to college. So, I rushed. With other 1,200 guys. Did not get a bid. Sad ending…</p>
You’re asking me to explain brotherhood in concrete terms, which is of course ridiculous. It’s inherently something that cannot be explained and therefore cannot be understood by people not in a fraternity or sorority. We don’t “pay for friends.” Our dues do actually go somewhere, believe it or not. Greeks are extremely involved on campus, raise huge amounts of money for charities, and grow into leaders after graduation at a much higher rate than non-greeks. Not to mention the obvious social benefits. It’s altogether ridiculous to say that greeks pay for friends considering the inarguable premise that people that go greek are generally more socially inclined and extroverted that people who opt against it or do not get a bid. These are the same people that would generally not have a tough time making friends regardless of greek affiliation, but people who chose to go greek for something more. You seem to think you understand what we’re all about, unfortunately it does not seem like you do.</p>
<p>Maize’s post is part of what turns those not involved off - it’s the incredibly arrogant and exclusive attitude as well as the generalization that those in Greek life are socially better than those who aren’t.</p>
<p>The OP asked for pros and cons of greek life. I can’t think of any specific cons but I listed out all the pros and responded to the objections to the system. I don’t understand the argument against exclusivity, I don’t think anyone is arguing that the greek system isn’t at least somewhat exclusive. I would call that a pro but if you want to call that a con then go for it. I also wouldn’t call responses to blatant disrespect for the greek community “arrogant”. Harry Jones essentially called greeks pretentious, immature children who pay for friends. Responding to that with examples of greek achievements and benefits is not arrogance. I also did not say that greeks are socially “better”. I said that generally, people that make the conscious decision to rush and are given bids are more socially inclined than those who do not rush. I didn’t say better, if you enjoy hanging around the dorm playing cards with friends from across the hall more than going to a party I have no problem with that. It’s just that the people who do that are probably more introverted than those who go out three nights a week. That’s no worse, just different. I do think there can be many more social opportunities presented when you go greek, but I am not saying going greek makes you “socially better”.</p>