From the hit television show Greek to the cult classic film Animal House, America’s idea of college sorority and fraternity life has been saturated with stereotypes and clichés.
But how do these Hollywood- induced images of fraternities and sororities compare to their real-world counterparts?
Fraternity and sorority life has been a tradition at the University of Oregon for more than a century.
According to the Holden Leadership Center, the fraternity and sorority community is the University’s largest student organization, with 14 different fraternities and 13 sororities across campus.
For the students involved, the true fraternity and sorority life experience is far from many of the dramatized ideas society has established.
But what are some of these common misconceptions of one of the University’s oldest traditions?
Myth: Fraternity and sorority life means the “party life.”
Truth: Joining the ranks of a fraternity or sorority means more than parties.
Volunteering and community service are points of pride for a majority of fraternity and sorority chapters at the University.
Many chapters dedicate themselves to supporting both local and national organizations.
For example, the Alpha Chi Omega sorority has spent years working with Womenspace, a Lane County women’s shelter and non-profit organization. This is just one of the ways the University’s sorority and fraternity community gets involved. Fraternities and sororities also give members great leadership opportunities through chapter governments, according to Sam Jacobs, a junior and vice president of fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon. Success also continues into the classroom, as the students involved in chapter leadership positions are known to perform better academically based on accumulative grade point averages, Jacobs said.
Myth: Fraternity and sorority life means unjust hazing and initiations.
Truth: The start of each academic year is a busy time for the fraternity and sorority chapters as student recruitment begins.
An individual chapter might have their own traditions for welcoming new members, but these traditions aren’t over-the-top, extreme or dangerous hazing practices.
“Hazing” refers to the often humiliating and degrading initiation rituals that were once a common practice in some colleges. But in the 21st century, hazing isn’t such a common practice.
“In the day and age we live in, I feel there has been an extreme drop in the people and groups that actually take part in extreme hazing, especially with all the rules and laws against it,” Jacobs said.
Myth: Fraternity and sorority life means everyone is the same.
Truth: Fraternity and sorority recruitment might mean sacrificing a little time, but it doesn’t mean sacrificing one’s personal identity.
“It’s an assumption people make without really getting to know the diverse group of people in our community,” Jacobs said.
With 27 fraternity and sorority chapters at the University, diversity is a given.
Each chapter represents a mix of nationalities, backgrounds, majors, ideas and personalities.
Fraternity and sorority life has been a cornerstone in the University’s campus life and for the students involved, it is often a highlight of the college experience.
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Debunking the myths
Daily Emerald
September 27, 2010
Nick Cote
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