The indefinite ban on Greek life at Florida State University due to the death of a young student pledge has enraged some people but is also viewed as a justifiable act in another perspective.

This recent death along with others that happen too frequently place a bad image on what the Greek system is actually about.Sorority and fraternity life has always been a big part of the college experience where at least more than ten percent of the student body at any college is affiliated with a Greek organization.

As a general fact, we all know that the houses on greek row host parties for the college students to attend, we all know they host the tailgates during football season, and we all know that the members in the organization tend to flock together when they are out and about.

These are just general facts that are known about greek life. It is so easy to judge and be negative towards these Greek communities, but do you ever stop to think about the beneficial purpose of having these chapters and organizations?

Or the more practical reasons for joining such a lifestyle other than the obvious social benefits. What facts do those who are not involved in Greek life actually know about these organizations?

When you start off being 1 of 40,000 to attend a university, you may not know where to begin on making friends.Students will form families within these chapters. Not only do you make friendships for four years but you make them for life.

This is even true for sports teams and other clubs on a college campus not only for Greek life. Sports and social clubs give you something to do other than academics. They give you the opportunity to network with people and businesses, they help you find your purpose.

A sorority sister of mine named Monica transferred to the University of Central Florida and has had the experience of Greek life at a smaller school and now is experiencing it at a much larger University. This being an intimidating change, I asked what the impacts of being a part of such a big organization have had on her life. Monica said, “ The impact that Greek life has made in my life would have to be my campus involvement and it’s definitely impacted my grades.” These organizations put you out there as a person and give you the encouragement to get involved and be a part of a movement on campus.

There is a misunderstanding of what the Greek community is all about. Some assumptions Monica has heard is that “women in sororities are all stuck up rich girls that only want to party, but that is not the case. We put our academics first and we care about our philanthropy more than most people think! This semester alone we have raised over 36K for St.Jude's Children's Research Hospital.” Some of these women pour their hearts into these sisterhoods and more importantly into their philanthropy. What people think is not always what is actually happening.

What we see in the news and media are the obvious dangers and incidents that happen. There are no positive news specials about how a whole hospital helping cure kids of cancer for FREE is up and running because of the funding from TriDelta. There is also no positive news specials about how Zeta Tau Alpha on the FGCU campus hosted a flag football tournament and raised over $13,000 towards the support of breast cancer awareness. Let us not forget that these are young college kids that are raising this kind of money for a better cause. Students within the age of 18-22 are fundraising while taking classes and putting their energy towards nonprofit organizations. There are no rewards for raising this money, it is all done out of solely believing in a cause and your organization to make a difference.

No one knows the good that comes of Greek life because all you see on the news are the negatives things that occur. Also, no one will take their time and energy to research both sides, and that is true for every topic that is popular in the media, not just sorority and fraternity life. It is so much easier to believe what you hear and see than to actually research the facts. Partying will be around no matter what school you attend and no matter if there is Greek affiliation on campus or if there is no affiliation at all. But not every campus will be able to raise thousands of dollars for nonprofit organizations without Greek affiliation.