<p>Does anyone share the same view that frats and sororities create further segregation within the university community? They also believe in ranking their brothers and sisters, which defeats the point of a brotherhood or a sisterhood (Alpha Phi, for example, does this sort of thing). </p>
<p>Even within the Greek community itself there is also much intergroup bias. Each fraternity/sorority wants to be the best. They can convince themselves and try to convince others of this also. One large promoter of this is Greek Week, a series of competitions held during a week of each semester, which "fosters divisions, increases tension, and creates rivalries" all because each fraternity/sorority thinks they are better than the rest and they want to prove it.</p>
<p>You must have really been spurned by a house, because you keep making these type of posts. Being rejected doesn't have to mean the end of the world, you know.</p>
<p>What about club sports or the student newspaper, or any other organization that requires an interview and selection process when choosing members...(I sat through enough interviews and selection meetings to know).</p>
<p>there are plenty of other groups out there that segregate students out and say that some are better than others. When you start railing against these groups I'll listen to your arguments. </p>
<p>As for the ranking of members - if you mean the accumulation of points (which is common in sororities) through being a part of house activities, believe me, it's not so much a ranking as one of the few practical means of figuring out which members should get certain privileges which are limited in number (ie, who gets a parking spot or to live in the chapter house).</p>
<p>Way to make an assumption about all greeks when you only know about one school. At my school, fraternities and sororities are paired up during Homecoming week and Greek Week but it's not an intense rivalry. It's a fun and laid-back "rivalry". Sure, they get bragging rights until the next time comes around, but by that next time their paired up with a different house so it's not like they can defend a title or anything. </p>
<p>I am not a Greek member but have nothing against them either. Some of my closest friends are in the Greek community and they're great people. Sorry you feel that way about your school's Greek system.</p>
<p>and nothing else about higher education is elitist? No offense, but just choosing Greek Life as a symbol of elitism just makes you sound bitter, not like you're really against elitism.</p>
<p>of course they're elitist. thats the whole point of them. guys/girls who wouldnt be able to make it alone, so they form a pack and exclude everyone else. unless they dominate the campus of your school there is no need to pay them any attention.</p>
<p>its not like a choir or school newspaper or a club... for example, joining the newspaper relies on your writing talents. joining greek relies on your race, your background, your look.</p>
<p>Actually, it does not rely on ethnicity. It does not necessarily rely on your background or your look.</p>
<p>The choir, the student newspaper do sometimes require a previous background in the area, and student newspapers sometimes require a certain belief set depending on where you are...</p>
<p>The greek scene is a voluntary association, as are other clubs and organizations...</p>
<p>There is some skill involved in getting a bid - it's called social capital, if you lack it, then you'll probably not get bid...but you probably decided you weren't a "greek" person to begin with b/c you're so lame.</p>
<p>No I didn't say that - just the ones who never give greek life a chance (and to some extent it does depend on the campus - there are certain members of my fraternity at other chapters who I've met at various conventions and what not that I'd never associate myself with otherwise).</p>
<p>Just becuase someone isn't interested in the concept of greek life makes them lame? I've heard enough about sororities to be just not interested.</p>
<p>Something tells me that the OP really wants to rush a fraternity. If he doesn't then why would post such a thread? </p>
<p>For those of you interested in Greek Life but believe that most organizations are elitist, think outside the box. There's more to Greek Life than the stereotypical social organizations on campus. If you're interested in cultural diversity, try a Cultural organization. If you're into serving the community, try Alpha Phi Omega (which is coed), If you're heavily into your major, rush an academic fraternity(most of which are coed), such as Theta Tau (engineers), Alpha Kappa Psi, Delta Sigma Pi, or Pi Sigma Epsilon (business), or Phi Alpha Delta (Pre-law). (These are just some of the few academic fraternities in existence. Most majors have either a honorary or social fraternity, or both tied to their field.)</p>
<p>Even if you're not interested in Greek Life, make an effort to get involved on campus. Even one activity can break up the monotony of lectures, labs, recitations, homework, and tests.</p>
<p>Most of the people I've heard complain about the exclusivity of the greek system are either 1) extremely non-personable or 2) ugly. Most being the latter.</p>