It is common myth that the women and men of Greek life are the lowest of the low. It is thought that students that participate in Greek life are only doing it to be recognized or for the parties. While this may be true for some Greeks, it does not apply to most. Students in Greek life don't appreciate the negative stereotyping that they receive on a daily basis, much like people of certain religions don't like being stereotyped as a terrorist. People that do not participate in Greek life need to be taught some basic principles that nearly all Greek life students want them to know.
1.We Don't Buy Our Friends
Most people outside of Greek life think that we are in a sorority or fraternity because its an easy access to what seems like endless friendships. In reality, it is easy access to 50+ friendships, but the dues being paid aren't being handed to each member of the organization to be your friend. The money is sent to philanthropy projects around the country and to the national organization. While you still may believe that we all buy our friends, think about it this way. If we are buying our friends, we don't pay nearly enough for them.
2.It's Not All About The Parties
Greek organizations are characterized as being the party animals on campus. There are quite a few members that party constantly, but a lot of us don't. We don;t all participate in raging parties. We don't all get drunk when we are at a party and we all don't get in trouble with the law when on Spring Break. There's more to us then what happens on Friday night.
3.We Aren't Stupid
In many cases, the general population believes that students who participate in Greek life aren't the sharpest tool in the shed if you get what I'm saying. In my school's case and on many other college campuses, Greek student's actually have higher GPA's compared to other student's on campus. Most frats and sororities require their members to maintain a certain number of study hours per week. Because of this, we put in more hours studying and working on class assignments that a typical college student.
4.Community Service Is Important To Us
Being a member of a sorority on my college campus has opened my eyes to community service. Before I joined Greek life I was like most other non-Greek students. I wasn't aware how much they actually gave to their community. We participate in trash pick-ups around town and must meet at least 20 hours of community service a semester, whether it be volunteering at a nursing home or helping plant a community garden.
5.We Aren't Mean Girls/Guys
Students who don't participate in Greek life often mistake us to be rude, condescending, and overall mean people. They have us completely backwards. My sisters are some of the nicest people that I have ever met to date. Greek life students will go above and beyond to be the best people they can be, no matter the costs,
Of course, some of you may not truly believe all of these points, but from the bottom of my heart I promise that students in Greek life are more than people give them credit for.
