What exactly is a fraternity?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Cornell University
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<p>No, this is not a generic "Oh, is my social life going to be **** if I don't join a frat". I've gone through the archives and read enough of those. </p>

<p>Basically, as an international student, my knowledge of the greek system is limited. All I know is that 'fraternity' means 'brotherhood' and they are named with greek letters. Anything else I know comes from Beta House. </p>

<p>What do you do in a fraternity? Like, what's day to day life like? </p>

<p>Do you all have to live together in a big house? </p>

<p>What is rushing/pledging? Do they involve any forms of hazing or retarded initiations (Tying a brick to your *****). </p>

<p>Could I join if I don't drink alcohol? </p>

<p>Basically, I've read that after the first semester, the party scene for freshman/sophmores goes tits up because of some elitist, selective ********. People aren't really welcome to house parties anymore because they are no longer part of a frat. I just find this ridiculous, especially considering the lack of a clubbing scene in cornell, and don't really want to miss out on one of the biggest parts of student life.</p>

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<p>Fraternities</p>

<p>At Cornell they serve two purposes, social and housing.</p>

<p>Day to day, you’re living with people with whom you presumably have some common interests. If you live in (which is generally required for at least one year) you will take most or all of your meals in the house. In addition, you will generally have paid a ‘social dues’ which goes towards parties and other social activities. </p>

<p>Living together – most fraternities require you to live in the house for at least one year. This is considered a plus, btw. You’re living with friends. The accomodations may be better than the dorms or off campus apartments.</p>

<p>Rushing/Pledging. Cornell has very strict policies against hazing or ■■■■■■■■ initiations. </p>

<p>Alcohol. Officially, if you’re underage, they’re not supposed to even serve you alcohol. Unofficially … things differ from house to house. Some of the fraternities have more of a drinking culture (if you don’t drink you probably don’t want to join these) others won’t care at all whether you drink. There are enough houses to cover a diversity of interests (including drinking).</p>

<p>Parties – It’s been a few years since I’m out. As a rule – there are some parties that are open to everyone, and others that are invitation only. However, whether you join a fraternity or not, you will have a social life.</p>

<p>Elitism – Some fraternities are elitist. Here’s the thing, you should be looking for a group of people who you like. You will reject many many fraternities because they’re not people you particularly care to live with or party with.</p>

<p>Biggest parts of Student life. Some Join, Some don’t. You can have a great experience either way.</p>

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<p>What do you do in a fraternity? Like, what’s day to day life like?</p>

<p>Not really different from what you’re already doing. There are events, but it’s not like you magically turn into someone else.</p>

<p>Do you all have to live together in a big house?</p>

<p>Some fraternities require certain years to live in a house. In most places, though, not everyone lives in the house.</p>

<p>What is rushing/pledging? Do they involve any forms of hazing or ■■■■■■■■ initiations (Tying a brick to your *****).</p>

<p>Rushing is the recruitment process that occurs once each semester (the big rush occurs right before the spring semester starts). Pledging is the time period in which prospective members learn more about the fraternity while trying to bond as a “pledge class”. Hazing is any activity that involves putting someone through physical or mental discomfort as an expectation for joining a group. The third thing is illegal; and too many people confuse these terms. Sadly, I think even the administration has been guilty of that.</p>

<p>Could I join if I don’t drink alcohol?</p>

<p>Yes. It does limit your options a bit, though, as I personally found out. There’s a bit more of a drinking/alcoholic culture in some of the more prominent fraternities, too.</p>

<p>*Basically, I’ve read that after the first semester, the party scene for freshman/sophmores goes tits up because of some elitist, selective ********. People aren’t really welcome to house parties anymore because they are no longer part of a frat. I just find this ridiculous, especially considering the lack of a clubbing scene in cornell, and don’t really want to miss out on one of the biggest parts of student life. *</p>

<p>Well, the party scene is declining anyway. This year freshmen couldn’t attend parties in the first half of the fall semester. And even my freshman year restrictions were setting in. Compared to the past, the whole social scene is becoming more and more exclusive, which sucks if you’re not 21.</p>