When I decided to join a fraternity last September, all my friends thought it was a joke. I was told over and over again that it wouldn't last long, and up until the day before I dropped out of it, people were astonished when they found out I was, in fact, in a fraternity. I have just never fit the 'fraternity guy' stereotype, but honestly, most people don't. Once I started meeting people in Greek life on my campus, I began to realize that most guys who join fraternities are vehemently against it until they actually see what it's like, and very few guys fit the Hollywood stereotype of a 'frat guy.'

After a year in a fraternity, I did decide to drop out, but I do not for one second regret my time in Greek Life. I made some great memories, strong friendships, and had so many opportunities to get involved on campus and in the community. I didn't hate the guys, I wasn't hazed, and I definitely didn't do poorly academically. I quit because after trying it out for a year, I enjoyed it, but at the end of the day, I knew it wasn't where I wanted to be for the next four years.

My experience from the past year leaves me confident in saying to all the GDIs out there that Greeks are not your enemy.

I know it seems that way because fraternities and sororities are constantly under scrutiny, but Greek organizations are so much healthier for college students, their campuses, and their communities than most people seem to think (at least at Southern Miss). The Greek life system is in no way perfect, and I think public scrutiny can be beneficial for continuing to improve the system, but I also think it's much more important to recognize the good that Greek life organizations do.

Coming to college can be such a difficult process for many people. It's lonely, it's scary, and it can be a major culture shock. Greek organizations provide a community for anyone looking for belonging. They provide opportunities for new and old students alike to mingle and make connections in a much more inviting atmosphere than a classroom or even a residence hall. The core of Greek Life is community, and that is vital to the emotional and academic success of a college student.

Alongside Greek life's dedication to its campus community is its dedication to both the college town and the global community through philanthropy. This was my favorite part of being in a fraternity. Each Greek organization chooses a specific charity or community organization to raise money and awareness for but also to physically serve. Each organization puts on a major event, on or off campus, for other organizations to participate in that will educate students and the community about their cause and also raise money for that cause. For some reason, these events and the amount of work and service performed by these Greek students is too often overshadowed by the latest scandal.

And that's just the problem. When most people hear the word 'fraternity,' they immediately think rape, sexism, racism, homophobia, and any other scandalous attitude that can be associated with these groups. I don't want anyone to misunderstand me. These are very real issues that our society faces. I have very passionate feelings on each of these subjects, but what people don't understand is that these are not Greek life problems. Racism and homophobia and sexism are all issues that will be there to fight against whether Greek life exists or not. Rape will not disappear if you get that one really sexist fraternity kicked of campus. Those of us that are passionate about social justice need to realize that Greek Life organizations are one of the most powerful tools of education we have at our disposal.

During my first week in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, I attended a required weekend workshop in which we learned about consent, safe sex, healthy drinking habits, and inclusivity. This was the first time I had experienced any type of education on these subjects besides my own research, and I believe that's important to recognize, especially in a state where sex education in high schools is legally required to emphasize abstinence rather than safe sex and where consent is a word that carries little weight. Sigma Phi Epsilon at Southern Miss is dedicated to keeping its members, its campus, and its community healthy and educated. It and many other fraternities and sororities on campus are passionate about making sure everyone feels safe and welcome, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other social classification.

So, if you are aggressively against the existence of Greek life, I strongly urge you to look into the good it can actually do, and if you are on the fence about seeing what Greek life is all about, I urge you to check into it. No harm can come from trying it out, and no one can stop you from leaving if it's not for you.

To the Men of Sigma Phi Epsilon Mississippi Gamma chapter, thank you for being a part of one of the best years of my life, and keep on not being ignorant.