<p>i was just wondering if people could talk about their opinions of michigan greek life (the good and the bad). I was also wondering if someone could just run down the sterotypes associated with some of the sororities and frats too i guess. Thanks!</p>
<p>I'm wondering the same thing.</p>
<p>I am a pike (Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity) really it depends who you ask, of course im going to tell you its great. When i originally set sail for college i had absolutly no desire to join a frat, but after i learned what they are really about and the awesome friendships you can make through them, i was sold. I will caution you however, most greek life is for people that are at least a little outgoing to begin with. Very rarely from my experiences have i heard of a really reserved individual enjoying greek life. Of course you will have exceptions to this rule, i would say your best bet is to check them out.. In the beginning of each semester they have whats called "rush" parties in which you can see the house, meet the guys, and party on their dime..If you wanna know specifics or are are interested in seeing the PKA house drop me a line..</p>
<p>I'm going to agree completely with premieraw. Going greek has been the best decision I have made at Michigan. The friendships and bonds you form are REAL and it is an experience unlike any other. I had no intention of joining a fraternity upon my matriculation, but once I saw how great the greek system really was, I immediately changed my mind. At Michigan, there is a house for everyone, so go with an open mind and see what it has to offer. BTW I'm in Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE or Deke).</p>
<p>If you want to meet attractive women, and want that stereotypical college experience, go greek.</p>
<p>I never did...but if I did it all over again, I would for a year or so to get the experience.</p>
<p>In response to kazz, going greek is NOT something you plan to do for just one year. That would make it absolutly senseless, trust me look into it, ask questions and make sure its something your comfortable doing. Do not do it for the women, anyone can meet girls anywhere, do it because you want to make the most out of your college life. I have never heard of someone going greek for just a year, once your intiated into the system i cant imagine wanting to quit.</p>
<p>sounds like your opinions of the frats are great, is it the same with the sororities?</p>
<p>yea, you will find many on campus labeling sororities negitively, but most of those people are just wishing they were in one, or could get with one. While obviously there may be some that sleep around more then others, for the most part from my experience you wont find many of these.</p>
<p>hahahahaha....oh lord no no no no no no!</p>
<p>I know a couple pikes and dkes, and they are more or less chill guys. But my perception of the frat system is that it is for people who need a more structured social life. If you don't think you'll make friends and have a life on your own, a frat or sorority might help facillitate that. If you think you'll be okay, then pledging isn't really necessary.</p>
<p>I'll say this, UM is so large that the frat system doesn't really permeate campus like it does at some universities. It is just one part of a very large diverse community, and you don't have to go greek to have a life.</p>
<p>Premieraw, most of the people who label sororities could care less about the Greek system. Trust me, I'm RC, those people DO NOT want to have anything to do w/ the Greek system, and they are far from jealous.</p>
<p>KB</p>
<p>KB- Really I dont really think you can substantiate your thoughts, especially since your not apart of the Greek system. As an outsider I can respect your opinion, however I personally know of several people who have criticized "Greeks" for whatever reason, only to join a frat/soro a semester later. While I am sure some of them could give a hoot, if they really didnt care, why would they speculate in the first place? I should also note, based on what I have read in other threads, KB is about as anti-greek as you can be, not to say her opinion is any less valid, but keep in mind its coming from someone who has never been involved with the greek system. Find someone who HAS actually gone greek and regretted it to truly base your decision on. Orr check it our for yourself, whats the worst that could happen?</p>
<p>I think kb is a guy...</p>
<p>Anyway, the Greek system is DEFINITELY not for those who can't make friends on their own. Are you serious????? I think of all the people on campus, those in the greek system are the LEAST socially awkward. The best explanation I can give for wanting to join a house is to equate it with a high school sports team. I know for many people, myself included, that my closest friends from high school were those who ran cross country and track or swam with me. I don't know if you have experienced this, as browsing through your earlier posts I came upon the quote "ew football"... Anyway, the institution, whether it is a sports team or a house assists tremendously in forming a deeper bond betweend people, than say just randomly making friends. In high school sports you go through 2 a days, hard workouts, and you compete togehter. In a fraternity you are hazed with your pledge class and it makes you a stronger person and deepens the ties with your pledge brothers. Once you become initiated, you feel proud to be part of what you consider to be a great organization. You feel proud to compete for your house in IM sports and greek week. You feel compelled to contribute to your house as do your brothers (most of the time). This is why your argument is faulty. Also, I lived in the East Quad last year and I have alot of friends in the RC. Someone who was in the RC at one point is even a brother in my house. The people who I know are really cool and don't have anything against the greek system-they even go to fraternity parties. I didn't really associate with the really weird freakish rc people though, so maybe i missed it. I'm glad you think my house is chill though.</p>
<p>nirvanarageatm my group is constantly @ DKE on thurs nights! We must know some people in common...PM me whenver u have a chance i wanna know who we know in common</p>
<p>I think you've misunderstood what I'm saying. I think a lot of people start out in the greek system because it takes a lot of uncertainty and anxiety out of trying to create a new social niche in college. What they discover once they are inside may very well be positive (I'd have no way to tell). But the Greek System is very much a structured social life with no uncertainty (you know what you are going to be doing socially, and you know with whom). In that, it can be very comforting to incoming freshman. </p>
<p>For me, my opinion of the Greek system has warmed somewhat because of my working with Greeks on student government. I've found that most of them are stand-up guys. That being said, I can't say I'm wild about the Greek system, and I'm not alone on campus in that regard. I want to make sure that people get a balanced picture. There are pros and cons to everything on campus, and Greeks can't be counted on to see the downsides of their particular sect.</p>
<p>I would defiantly agree, I just think if your going to offer a "con do not make it purely speculation. Offer some evidence of your findings, otherwise it makes one think you have a clear biased, which to me is all you currently have until you substantiate your opinions.</p>
<p>lol...you are asking for the impossible. For me to not speculate (and I'm not so much speculating as offering a perspective), I'd have to join a frat. That's kinda counter-intuitive.</p>
<p>Well for someone to have so many "cons", you seem to have very little evidence to back yourself up, other then your personal opinion. I am very interested in what your dislike is rooted in, since you claim the only way you could offer non-speculation is by joining a frat. For me, if i dislike something, i can offer facts i have generated through myself or others, on why i feel a particular way. While i respect your thoughts , i would really like to know what formed your bias, because im not sure you have true warrant behind your feelings other then personal thought.</p>
<p>Of course I'm speculating!!!!!!!! I've already said that. My very first post on this subject was something like "my perception". There's no reason for you to get so defensive over my lil' ole' opinion. I mean, if you want facts, I can do some research on the many incidencts of sexual abuse and rape, hazing, and alcohol abuse and bing drinking-related death associated with fraternaties nationwide. But I'm just choosing to offer my own little thoughts.</p>
<p>Easy killer.</p>
<p>KB</p>
<p>KB are you in students4michigan?</p>
<p>lol...why?</p>
<p>haha..to nirvanas question..Anyways, the only reason i challenged you is because every UMich thread I see on CC, you post on. Not that its nessacarily a bad thing, but i mean dont post unless you actually have something valid to offer..I want to believe you don't just live on here awaiting your next post right? By the way i have heard and could say plenty of things about RC students, but i won't. I would rather allow incoming students to make there own opinions without first hearing my bias.</p>