1. "The House Bunny"
About: "The House Bunny" is a comedy about a PlayBoy Bunny, Shelley, who thinks she is kicked out of the mansion and has to find a new place to live. Shelley ends up on the doorstep of the "ZETA" house, where she meets a group of sorority women who can't get any pledges because they aren't popular enough.
Greek Life Portrayal: Sororities are constantly competing against each other for the most pledges. In order to get new girls and have a successful chapter, you have to look hot and have boys interested in you.
The Truth: Sorority recruitment is a very exact process, one that requires the PNMs (Potential new members) to meet all of the chapters on campus. Chapters also have a "total" number of girls they can give bids to, so in reality, ZETA wouldn't have zero bids going out, when "Phi Lota Mu" has so many members they need a second house. Sororities also recruit based on values, not based on who can get the most boys. Sisterhood means that the other girls in your chapter don't care what you look like, and your chapter can still be extremely successful even if you don't go out every weekend and have the boys all over you. Believe it or not, sorority women can be happy and thrive, even when they aren't the "hottest."
2. "American Pie Presents Beta House"
About: Beta House is just like any of the other American Pie movies, raunchy and so inappropriate that parts of it are just plain gross. In this movie, the iconic Stifler is the president of "Beta" fraternity and when the new pledges come in, all they want out of college is to party. The "Geek" fraternity shows up though, giving Beta and their parties a run for their money. It's all settled in the end by the legendary, once banned "Greek Games."
Greek Life Portrayal: Fraternities do nothing but party. "Greek Games" are something that get so out of control they need to be banned - the games often include alcohol.
The Truth: Fraternities spend a lot of time doing community service and fundraising for their philanthropies. They also get to know each other and make friendships through intramural sports, Bible studies, weekly meetings, and countless other events - not just parties. "Greek Games" are something that several campuses still participate in through some form. Many schools now have "Greek Week," where sororities and fraternities participate in friendly competitions regulated by school officials for awards at the end of the week. These points can be gained from giving blood, winning intramural games, winning competitions like "Greek Sing," having the best GPA, raising the most money for their philanthropy, and several other positive things.
3. "Bad Neighbors"
About: "Bad Neighbors" is the newest of these movies, featuring well known actors Zac Efron, Dave Franco, and Seth Rogan. This comedy is about a fraternity moving into a new house in a residential neighborhood and disturbing their neighbors who have a new baby.The married couple spends the majority of the movie trying to get the fraternity kicked out of the house so that they can have some peace and quiet.
Greek Life Portrayal: Fraternities spend most of their nights, even week nights, partying. Fraternity houses are in residential neighborhoods. Meetings are only to discuss the party plans. There's hazing. Fundraising is for the fraternity's personal gain.
The Truth: School-regulated fraternity houses are often all on the same street, usually known as "Greek Row," and are not often found in a residential neighborhood where their neighbors would be a new family. Meetings are held weekly and are to discuss upcoming social, philanthropic, and academic events as well as the structure of the fraternity. Hazing is something that has definitely been a real issue in years past. However, new regulations, laws, and precautions have been put into place to prevent hazing all together. Chances are, if a fraternity is still participating in hazing, the truth will come out quickly and the reprimands are not light. Fraternities caught hazing in the slightest today would have their charter removed and would no longer be on campus, and the members hazing would be dealt with on a legal level. Fundraising for fraternities is for their national philanthropy and the fundraising activities have to be approved by the school.
