At TCU, fraternities are getting ready for the final stretch of their long informal recruitment. The last few months of man-flirting (yes, it is very much so a thing), rush parties, outings, and barbecues are coming to a close. I, like many others, knew I wanted to be in fraternity before even choosing a school, but the people closest to me were terrified of fraternities. The fears are outdated. Across the country, fraternities are changing to become a part of a new, modern era of brotherhood.
Animal House will always be the stereotypical fraternity movie. Neighbors was hilarious, but didn't depict fraternity life realistically. Fraternities have become so much more than partying, drinking, and hazing.
Fraternities have evolved into a modern brotherhood. For a long time now, almost 15 years, the United States has campaigned against hazing. As a result, it has nearly been eradicated. True, some "hazing" will never go away. But today, fraternities are taking a new stance on "pledges".
Last year, Sigma Alpha Epsilon eliminated the pledge process across the country to rid the organization of any sort of hazing violations. I have never been hazed in any situation, and I will never haze anyone else. Fraternities now build their members up to promote positive change and self-growth. For example, during my new membership, we had line-dancing lessons, resume workshops, an athletic combine, and brotherhood events that really allowed us to grow individually and together as a new member class.
Today, every fraternity is associated with a philanthropy, in which they hold events to raise money and awareness for their cause. Most of them are really fun events like male beauty pageants (Mr. ZTA), 5K runs, or flag football (Anchor Bowl, which was held at Cowboy's stadium last year). What really makes these events fun is that they are based on competition between Greek houses and they encourage the community to get involved. Hundreds of thousands of dollars, and even millions, are raised by fraternities across the country to be donated towards a philanthropy.
One of the coolest things about being in a fraternity is that you surround yourself around unique people who nonetheless have similar ideals. I came to college to gain a good education. By surrounding myself with people who were studious, I was continually encouraged to study and get my work done. Fraternities today have test banks, study hours, tutoring, and other programs to promote academic success, which have been helpful for guys who might have been struggling.
Fraternity life is extremely social, but most important are the relationships and connections you make with brothers in the same house and the other people you meet through Greek Life. So many college guys are able to get jobs right out of college by having connections within the fraternity. It really is all about who you know.
Lastly, the fraternity changed my life with my new 39 best friends, and 104 brothers. The brotherhood that we have shared in the last a year is really something special. This goes for almost every fraternity across the nation. These guys have been my rock when I needed it most.
Things get tough; life is hard, but I had 142 other guys supporting me and reaching out to me. Coming all the way to Texas from California, it was comforting to know I had them to fall back on.
I have shared so many awesome memories with these guys from Spring Break in Gulf Shores, Reata during recruitment, and our freshman year that make me so proud to call them my brothers. A fraternity is about these relationships - building one another up in the pursuit of moral excellence, staying diligent in the classroom, and brotherly love.
Fraternities have changed. It's no longer about Polo, frat tanks, beer, and afternoons on the golf course. They are about something so much more. I strongly believe in the movement of more guys joining fraternities. No one fraternity is the same, and each has its fit. Thankfully, I was able to find mine.
I encourage girls and boys to at least look and think about joining a Greek organization. Joining a fraternity was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. The fraternity never needed me, but I needed the fraternity.
