Stereotype #3: Greeks are elitist, racist, and sexist

It’s easy for a person to make rash assumptions and judgments about things he or she is not familiar with. Unfortunately, the terms “elitist, racist, and sexist” are very grave accusations, and to stereotype all Greeks as having prejudices is unfair and incorrect.

These stereotypes are especially inapplicable to K-State’s Greek community. The K-State Greek community welcomes people of all backgrounds and actively educates all members about the importance and value of cultural diversity.

Steps are taken on a regular basis to reach out to the campus and community. Programming is inclusive of Greeks and non-Greeks alike. The recruitment process for both men and women is one of “mutual selection,” which means that chapters interview prospective members at the same time prospective members interview the chapters. Additionally, each of the 22 North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) fraternities, three independent national fraternities, 11 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities, seven National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) fraternities and sororities, and two National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) groups at K-State have diverse memberships.

Many people assume that because fraternities and sororities are primarily composed of white students, they are racist or prejudiced against students of color. At K-State four percent of the undergraduate student body is made up of multicultural students. This percentage is aligned with the Greek multicultural population of five percent. K-State’s multicultural Greek chapters—six traditionally African-American chapters and two traditionally Latino chapters—compete with traditionally white Greek chapters to recruit the same multicultural students.

Many people argue that because fraternities only recruit men and sororities only recruit women that the two institutions are sexist. What these people fail to realize is that federal law exempts fraternities and sororities from Title IX guidelines. Greek chapters are social living organizations and are therefore not required to be coeducational. K-State fraternities and sororities interact on a regular basis, and the Greek community sponsors educational programs on sexual harassment, abuse, and acquaintance rape each semester.

Stereotype #4: Fraternities and sororities are not conducive to social and spiritual development

One of the things the K-State Greek community can be most proud of is an organized social calendar with events that foster social interaction and interpersonal skills. K-State Greeks are encouraged to meet and interact with members of their own and other chapters. Date parties, interchapter functions, and inclusive community service projects allow for networking and help foster strong bonds of friendship.

Another often-overlooked facet of the Greek community is the strong foundation for spiritual development. Many members are involved in university-wide religious groups, but there is also a weekly Greek-wide Bible study attended by several hundred members on a regular basis. A few chapters even recruit new members based upon religious affiliation.

Stereotype #5: Greek chapters encourage binge drinking and drug abuse among their members

The movie Animal House has had a profound impact on the beliefs of many Americans about Greek life. But the stereotypical party atmosphere in the movie is not a reality—and certainly not the norm. Because Greek chapters comprise the largest student organizations nationwide, Greek communities are constantly in the media spotlight. Social problems such as binge drinking and drug use occur in nearly every facet of society, but their presence is magnified in fraternities and sororities.

Each K-State chapter is required to abide by federal, state, and university policies on drugs and alcohol. Numerous programs are in place to educate and help to minimize the role that drugs and alcohol play within the Greek community. Detailed risk management policies outline the required steps to be taken to minimize liabilities and dangers at social events. Programs such as Greeks Advocating the Mature Management of Alcohol (GAMMA), the Social Responsibility Committee (SRC), and the Risk Management Council (RMC), and each chapter’s microprogramming have aided in greatly reducing the influence of drugs and alcohol at K-State.

Stereotype #6: New members of Greek chapters do not have personal space

Another fear of many prospective members and parents is that personal living space is nonexistent for the pledges/associates/new members. The truth is that each chapter has a unique living arrangement.

In some chapters, members keep all personal items in a room that is shared by two to four members. This room serves as a living room, study room, and general living space. At night all members sleep in a sleeping room. This particular setup offers several benefits: there is always a dark, quiet dorm for members to rest in, and because members share living spaces they get to know other members and foster friendships.

Other fraternities offer a setup where members share rooms with one to four other members. These rooms are multipurpose in that they serve as a living room, study room, and a bedroom. This setup allows members to remain in close contact with their belongings, and it also helps for members to build strong friendships with their roommates.

In conclusion, prospective members do not lose an inordinate amount space by joining a Greek chapter. Just like with any group-living organization, there’s a certain amount of sacrifice of space and privacy. But these sacrifices offer incredible benefits: strong friendships, an outlet for help and stress, and numerous mentors and role models in the Greek living organizations.

Stereotype #7: Being a member of a fraternity or sorority takes up an unreasonable amount of time

It’s true that joining a fraternity or sorority requires a certain amount of time and dedication. However, the time and effort required is by no means enough to interfere with other time commitments or academic success. The Greek commitment begins during a pledgeship or pre-initiation period, when prospective chapter members are required to attend meetings or ceremonies to learn about their chapter’s history and values. Some chapters also administer written tests about chapter history and other information. This education serves a dual purpose: it gives prospective members enough information about their chapter to make an informed decision about whether or not to continue their participation, and it allows chapters to make informed decisions about whether or not to initiate the prospective members.

It’s a common misconception that joining a Greek community takes so much time that academic performance suffers and participation in other extracurricular activities is impossible. It’s true that an active social calendar and other Greek programming does take up a certain amount of time, but it’s incorrect to assume that this time commitment is unbearable or unreasonable. At K-State academics remain top priority. This means that academic commitments preclude any other time commitments. Members of the Greek community are not required to attend any event, program, or meeting that might conflict with academic requirements.

Students with good time management skills can participate in a Greek chapter and still maintain their grades and involvement in other activities. Varsity athletes, members of marching band and debate, ROTC students, and architecture or engineering majors are just a few examples of students with large time commitments who regularly join the K-State Greek community. Remember, the extracurricular programming in the Greek system is available and beneficial, but certainly not required.

Stereotype #8: The Animal House image is true

In the 1980s the movie Animal House, starring John Belushi, became a smash hit. The movie’s satirical depiction of the wild side of fraternity life—binge drinking, widespread hazing, sexual harassment, wild toga parties, open drug use, and substandard living conditions—became the American public’s perception of Greek life. As the movie grew in popularity, sororities and fraternities nationwide saw a huge downturn in recruitment numbers.

This trend is still seen today. Almost every year the number of Greek chapters shrinks and the number of new initiates dwindles. Unfortunately, much of the poor public perception encouraged by Animal House is undeserved in today’s Greek systems. Nearly every state in the nation has adopted an anti-hazing law. College campuses, Greek systems, national Greek organizations, and individual chapters have all taken strides to reduce hazing, drug and alcohol abuse, and liability through stricter rules and increased educational programming. Granted, there are still isolated incidents of hazing and alcohol-related deaths or injuries, but many institutions, especially Kansas State University, are taking proactive stances to prevent these tragedies.

Stereotype #9: Fraternities and sororities do not foster leadership skills

There’s no shortage of leadership opportunities in the K-State Greek community. Each individual chapter has between 25 and 30 elected officer positions each year, and Greek-wide leadership positions on the Interfraternity and Panhellenic councils—as well as the Social Responsibility Committee and Risk Management Council—are also available.

Another great resource for developing leadership abilities is the abundance of role models and mentors who share their experiences and knowledge with younger members. At K-State 18 percent of the undergraduate student body are members of the Greek system, but 65 percent of the campus leadership positions are held by Greeks. These statistics reflect the strong dedication to achievement, leadership, and campus involvement.

Stereotype #10: The Greek experience will not mold well-rounded individuals

This belief is without a doubt the most incorrect assumption about Greek life. Greek communities offer limitless opportunities for academic, leadership, social, and personal development.

Academic

Chapter members have access to older, more experienced students, mentors, and scholarship programming within their chapters. Kansas State University values academic excellence, and this attitude is carried on within the Greek community through the credo “academics first.” Chapters understand that academic responsibilities take priority over all other programming or requirements. This commitment is demonstrated by the all-Greek grade point average, which has exceeded the all-university grade point average for more than 25 years.

Leadership

You’ll find leadership positions in each chapter, within the Greek community, and across the entire university. Greeks are exposed to mentors and role models in every facet of Greek life. At K-State Greeks hold more than 65 percent of the campus leadership positions.

Social

An active social calendar helps members of the Greek community to finetune interpersonal skills. Constant interaction with members of their own and other chapters helps members to network and build long-lasting friendships.

Personal

Individuals learn important lessons about themselves from experiences in the Greek community. They can discover their own strengths and weaknesses and learn how to utilize their talents for the future. Time management skills, the importance of cultural diversity, and interpersonal skills are all covered by speakers, roundtable discussions, and other programming sponsored by the K-State Greek community.

Stereotype #11: Joining a chapter eliminates the ability to develop friendships with other students on campus

This belief is absolutely false. Interaction with students in and out of the Greek community occurs all the time. Friends are made in the classroom and in all types of extracurricular activities, and the list goes on and on. Many members of the K-State Greek community made lots of friends while living in either the residence halls or in off-campus apartments. And most students maintain strong friendships with students from high schools or hometowns—whether or not they join a fraternity or sorority.

To foster an inclusive atmosphere, the Greek community at K-State has taken huge strides planning campuswide events. Chapter philanthropies, Homecoming festivities, and events such as Up-til-Dawn have all been designed to include the entire K-State student body and surrounding community.

Stereotype #12: Hazing is a reality among fraternities and sororities

Hazing is the most publicly feared concept associated with Greek life today. These fears are justified because hazing is easily the most dangerous and destructive practice an organization can take part in. Although many people automatically associate the term “hazing” with the idea of mistreating or abusing pledges or new members, any member can actually be a victim of hazing. Hazing can be defined as singling out an individual or group of people and forcing them to do something that is psychologically, physically, or emotionally harmful or damaging.

Greek organizations nationwide strive to eliminate hazing from their cultures through proactive approaches and strict enforcement of anti-hazing policies. Both K-State’s Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils have developed strict human rights and anti-hazing policies. Additionally, both councils utilize judicial boards to investigate, hold trials, and impose sanctions for violating policies. There are also opportunities for individuals to make anonymous complaints and avoid the fear of retribution from the accused parties.

The K-State Greek community takes pride in its broad definition of hazing and strong track record of strict sanctions for policy violations. K-State students can be assured of a safe and rewarding experience in a K-State fraternity or sorority.

Stereotype #13: Being a part of a Greek organization is more expensive than other living organizations

Many people outside the Greek community actually refer to this belief by saying that “Greeks buy their friends.” They assume that all fraternity and sorority members are rich and that the cost of Greek life is out of reach for many students.

Being part of any living organizations—from residence halls to apartments—has a cost, but at K-State the average cost of living in a Greek chapter house is actually lower than the average cost of living in the residence halls.

It is probably also fair to say that most individuals, Greek or non-Greek, tend to socialize to a certain extent with the people they live with. But one thing that the K-State Greek community can be most proud of is the opportunity to develop diverse friendships.

Stereotype #14: Parents can’t be involved in their student’s Greek experience

Each K-State fraternity and sorority plans events to involve the families of chapter members. Most chapters have Dad’s Weekend, Mom’s Weekend, Sibling’s Weekend, and Family Weekend. Keep in mind that individual chapters are responsible for planning their own events, so it might be important to ask chapters about these events. In addition, most chapters keep family members up to date on chapter news through newsletters or other means.

Stereotype #15: Joining a fraternity or sorority does not offer any advantages over other collegiate activities

Many people outside the Greek community do not see the wealth of opportunities available through fraternities and sororities. They’re wrong.

Academic resources—such as older undergraduates, study hours, study groups, and friends to keep students academically accountable—are not in short supply. Leadership skills are fostered through chapter offices, university leadership positions, and many role models and mentors. A planned social calendar aids in developing interpersonal skills, a network of friends and resources, and lifelong friendships. The Greek experience also offers community service opportunities.

Stereotype #16: New members are not allowed to participate in chapter decision making

It is generally believed that new or prospective members of Greek living organizations are allowed no input whatsoever, that they are treated as inferiors, and that they are subservient to active chapter members. In reality, new members are the foundation of any Greek chapter. They can make or break chapter success depending upon the effort, heart, and soul they put into their chapter.

Different fraternities and sororities use different programs to prepare their new members for initiation. Some chapters utilize a pledge system. This system is designed around the idea that new members, or pledges, will learn and grow the most in a close-knit group with other pledges, or a pledge class. Pledges are not allowed to vote in chapter, and the pledge class must meet certain expectations such as planning events or fulfilling responsibilities like house chores. While pledges may not vote, they have a great deal of input in chapter events and decisions. In this particular system, pledge class unity is believed to be the foundation of brotherhood and growth. Friendships and bonds are strongest among members of the same age and pledge class.

A second type of new member education is called an associate program. New members are called “associates” because they are associating with the chapter prior to initiation. Associates have the same privileges as the active members within the chapter. Voting privileges and responsibilities are the same for all members, regardless of age or class. This system focuses on chapterwide unity. Friendships and bonds are not necessarily stronger among members of the same age or class.

Each type of new member education program has its strengths and benefits. Regardless of format, new member programming is vital to developing worthwhile and active chapter members.

Stereotype #17: Fraternities and sororities do not benefit their surrounding communities

By being in the public spotlight, Greek communities are often blamed for social problems and isolated tragedies, but rarely given the credit they deserve for positive contributions to their communities.

Each national fraternity and sorority has an established philanthropy, or community service program, that raises money for a charity of choice. These philanthropies are carried out by member chapters all over the nation. The community service programs are good for public relations, and they help with recruitment efforts, but above all they allow chapters to give back to the community.

But these nationally designed service projects make up only a small percentage of the actual service projects carried out by Greek communities. K-State Greek undergraduates donated more than 20,000 hours and $100,000 to the surrounding community last year. Most of the time and money was donated at chapter-initiated events and by individual volunteerism. A few examples of Greek service projects that touched the Manhattan community are a Senior Citizen Prom; Fright Night, which gave children a safe place to trick-or-treat; and a Homecoming parade through town. These community service projects are fun and often double as social events because chapters regularly donate their time and energy to events sponsored by other chapters.