The Struggles Of Being Greek In A Liberal Arts School
Start writing a post
Student Life

The Struggles Of Being Greek In A Liberal Arts School

We're not so divided.

11
The Struggles Of Being Greek In A Liberal Arts School

Most people think that attending a liberal arts school labels you as a "hippie" or a "hipster," requires you to eat only vegan food and only hangout in coffee shops, and talk about your photography and indie bands that no one knows about. In reality, that can't be further from the truth. Right? I think that's called a stereotype.

Let's back track just a minute. Take the next two minutes and think about Greek life. What does it mean to you? When you hear the name fraternities and sororities, what do you think of?

Did you think about parties? Hazing? Blonde girls in pearls and guys in polos? Or did you think about philanthropy? Community service? Brotherhood/sisterhood? Scholarship?

Most people would have picked the first choice. That's the stereotype Greeks wear regardless of who they are or what they've done. It's much harder to grow a positive reputation when you get things like "Wait, we actually have Greek life here?" or "LOL Greek life here is a joke." But what you don't see is an incredible amount of hard work and love that goes into this system.

When you compare the liberal arts student stereotypes to the stereotypes about Greek life, they're polar opposites. So it makes it even harder for a small percentage of Greeks to compare to an overly dominant liberal art student population.

Did you know Greek life as a whole raised more money than any other student organization on the campus of UNT? Did you also know that they put in the most hours for community service? Each year every organization in Greek life volunteers for The Big Event, Make a Difference Day, and they have even adapted Eaglethon (previously known as Dance Marathon that supports the Children's Miracle network) as part of their Greek week activities. Even IFC Fraternity Pi Kappa Phi raised money for a girl who was paralyzed to buy her walkers so she could walk across the stage at graduation. How awesome is that?

Last semester, a Kappa Delta at The University of North Texas passed away. Instead of just their chapter being dismayed in mourning, the entire Greek community was in mourning. People who wore different letters had their hearts broken by the loss of their own. That's brotherhood/sisterhood. All of Greek life pitched in and paid the funeral costs.

But Greeks don't get remembered for that do they? They get stereotyped, just like liberal arts students who aren't Greek. It's doesn't make sense for college students entering into adulthood to stereotype and discriminate.

So now what? As (almost) adults, we should think of better ways to love each other instead of hating groups of people based on who we think they are. Why can't Greeks be accepting of liberal arts students and support them and their lifestyle? What about liberal arts students? Why can't liberal arts students be accepting and encouraging of Greek life? After all, Greek life does so much for their campus.

Instead of having a divided campus where both sides are not in favor of each other, unite as one student body and be proud of your school. Be proud of your organizations. Be proud of your letters. But mostly be proud to have the ability to be receiving a degree, because not everyone gets to have that opportunity.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57796
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37241
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958940
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

192008
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments