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Originally posted by sugar and spice
A nice sentiment, but is it true? Certainly not all the time. As we're reminded by so many GDIs, they can make friends on their own, and they don't need to pay for it. So if someone chooses to make friends via the thousand-dollar-a-year way (GLOs) as opposed to "for free" (in the dorms) or for cheap (say, the running club), there's a reason why they choose to do it that way -- basically, they think that the experience they will have in a fraternity or sorority is going to be worth all the money they put into it.
I'm not saying that alcohol is the only reason why people join GLOs. But it's usually at least part of the reason, and at some schools it is more than likely going to be the biggest reason. Seeing as sororities and fraternities are usually pretty expensive, people join them because they think they will get something out of them that they can't get anywhere else, or at least not for a cheaper price. If that's the case, the only people who would join sororities and fraternities are the ones who can't make friends any other way. And we all know that's not true.
You can't deny the fact that Greeks drink more than non-Greeks; that's been shown in studies. I'm not saying that we haven't made significant strides towards becoming more well-rounded, either. I think it's clear to all of us that we do far more philanthropy than we did 50 years ago, for example. I imagine there's also more of a focus on academics. But the fact is that our biggest draw, as social organizations, are people who like to be social -- and as you pointed out, in the college environment, alcohol tends to be present as a social lubricant.
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Dear Tri-Delta friend,
You've listed some fantastic motivations behind the desire to join a GLO. Over the years, Greeks have worked to move their image away from the "Animal House" partier stigma--- so that universities will remain friendly to GLOs allow them to remain part of campus culture.
GLOs, in turn, developed total membership education programs in the early 1990s, including stronger emphasis on scholarship and service. NPC has surveyed the likely joiners, and today, PNMs surveyed have acknowledged that their top 3 motivators for joining included 1) Friendship, 2) Emphasis on community work, 3) Emphasis on high educational standards. The face of today's Greek is significantly changed from those even in the 1980s.
HOWEVER, you are correct that in studies, it has been shown that Greeks are likely binge drinkers, and the unconsciously, Greeks are attracting a subculture that is supportive of binge drinking (which leads to poor health and academic performance)
http://www.campusblues.com/drugs5.shtml
Sociological studies tell us that people are social animals-- We join groups and organizations to make friends and connections. Even those who shun conformism still belong to cliques and groups, or adopt the mannerisms and dress of what they perceive as the non-conformist.
Members of a "Student Marketing Association" have likely joined to further their networking ability and meet like-minded folk with similar career aspirations.
People who go Greek -- the "likely joiner" as we have come to call them-- although from diverse backgrounds are individuals looking to make friends within a highly social and structured atmosphere.
Those who do not go Greek join other organizations (offical campus groups or unofficial social cliques-- bonds made through living in like situations, styles of dress, religion, etc.).
Regardless, people DO join GLO's for friendship and the prestige. Any college student can make friends outside of a structured org, can study or find volunteer opportunities and can find ways to socialize outside of the formal structure of a GLO. However, those of us on these boards joined GLOs for that structure and connection. I'd love to meet a Greek who joined his group exclusively to be first in line at a kegger.
Thank you for sharing your viewpoints. I'm enjoying all the different perspectives on this thread and the debate waging.
On another note, I hope that Chi Omega and Wake Forest will come to a resolution that works for everyone soon!