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Go Greek!

by michelle kemper brownlow  posted Sunday, October 17, 2010
filed under: tween & teen
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Guest blogger Michelle Kemper Brownlow: Just in time for parents heading off for the annual college-move-in week, I wrote a post about the risks of pledging a Greek organization. Apparently my post came across as Greek-bashing, even though I prefaced my warnings with the positive experiences I'd had while pledging a sorority. So I thought I would now take off my "Cautious Mom" hat and put on my "Proud to be Greek" one. (This one is prettier anyway, and goes well with the letters on the sorority sweatshirt I still wear.)

Go Greek
Greek organizations have been around since 1825 and have a long history of service and philanthropy. There is no doubt that all members of these organizations participate in the hours of planning it takes to pull off one of their monstrous charity projects. Most fraternities and sororities have one charity that they support as an organization, but many pair up for numerous fundraising events throughout the school year. 

Penn State's annual dance marathon is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. Just last year, the Greek organizations involved in fundraising collected a mindblowing $7,838,054.36 for The Four Diamonds Fund, which supports the Hershey Medical Center's Childhood Cancer research efforts. Nationally, Greeks provide the largest network of volunteers in the United States and contribute 10 million hours of volunteer service each year.

The website of Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania says going Greek "provides a host of benefits, including the opportunity to develop and refine leadership skills, participate in local community service and national philanthropic projects and form lifelong friendships within an inter/national brotherhood or sisterhood. Members of the Greek system can boast of involvement in practically every facet of campus life and support many campus initiatives. The Greek system strives to provide for its members' growth-oriented opportunities and experiences that are consistent with the mission of the College." 

Each sorority and fraternity has a governmental subculture within its organization. Students learn skills that will benefit them as they hold office, manage projects and climb the corporate ladder in the "real" world. 

I would be remiss if I didn't toot the "lifelong friend" horn. I have to believe that when you work so closely in volunteer and service situations (as you do in Greek life), you create bonds that truly feel like family; hence the "brother" and "sister" titles. I can't imagine what college life would have been like if I hadn't had 100+ women my age to fall back on when no one else was around -- women who had the same goals and virtues I had, and whom I could trust with anything. Truth be told, being a member of a Greek organization was SO FREAKING FUN! The opportunity to do so many positive things and be a part of all the social aspects was the best of both worlds. 

If your son or daughter is a responsible young adult, he or she will benefit immensely from the experience of going Greek!


6 comments so far | Post a comment now
Katie October 18, 2010, 5:30 AM

For that matter just because someone doesn’t have a “horror story” to tell about greek life doesnt always mean
it’s good either. When one joins a Greek house the costs are not covered my tuition or financial aid. Each
student gets to figure that one out all
by him or herself. That’s an extra few thousand on top of tuition every term. While that does cover food as well only one thing is served at the meal and if you don’t like it oh well. As well, if you pledge and find that house isn’t a good fit for you you are, well, SOL. Once out of one Greek you are not allowed to join another. So all that money you paid for dues goes to waste. And each person in a house has to do things they aren’t always comfortable with, whether it be hazing practices or sleezy dance contests’ for the Kentucky Derby. If you don’t participate once you are a member you are fined. As well, there is some close minded in some of the houses. If you don’t go along with what one sister or brother says they can make it very uncomfortable for you.
So yes there are great benefits but not always


Alexis October 19, 2010, 9:38 AM

While it is wonderful that you had a very positive experience in the Greek system, not everyone has the same taste.

I chose my small, art college specifically because they do not have Greek houses. Personally, I prefer a small group of beloved friends to a whole house of women. I prefer the company of my boyfriend to the confidences of a female best friend. I feel I can be more honest with him than a woman.

It seems that every year, one of the fraternities at the local state college is getting busted for large scale drug dealing. All the experiences associated with the Greek system seem irritating at most and useless at best.
That is my personal opinion and it services ONLY MY NEEDS.

Just keep that in mind that it is great how we can choose.

Wesley L. Clements March 29, 2011, 6:29 PM

Thanks

Holly O. Morrow March 31, 2011, 3:59 AM

Useful

Vincent O. Moon April 5, 2011, 2:32 PM

Hi folks, - spotted your internet page by chance whilst wandering around the web this evening, and pleased that i did! I like the page layout and different shades, but I really should point out that I’m having difficulty when it loads. I’m using SeaMonkey 2 web browser for mac, and the side panel fails to line up well. i’m convinced I’ve used precisely the same layout on a client’s website, but the menu seems alright on mine. I think the error is at my end & I’m guessing it’s the perfect time to change!

Jack E. Weiss April 8, 2011, 4:35 PM

Thanks


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