Whats the best thing about Greek Life

[g41965]

My last post was in response to an OU pledge passing away and I was somewhat critical of Greek Life. When I signed off I began to ask why at 39 am I on this board and why do I believe in Greek Life I decided to answer the above referenced question in the following way:

I went to UT Austin from 1984 to 1988. UT had and to this day has an enrollment of 50,000 students, very big and impersonal. I pledged DU during open rush in September 1984, DU was not the biggest and certainly not the most socially preeminent fraternity at UT with around 80 members.
We had some issues with hazing and booze as well.
But what I remember from my time in DU and to this day believe is the true strength of any fraternity is the freedom and responsibilitythat comes from being an owner , trustee and member of your own organization and the friendship's that come from working with others on shared objectives.
I remember the feeling that I had some sort of say in the way my chapter was run from the kitchen service to the Roundup to rush, I counted. I don't know of any other way that college bound students can participate in their own housing, social activites charitable events and education in such a profound way as being in an organization like a fraternity.
I don't really remember or care about the parties, I remember setting up for the parties with my friends, I don't care about the kegs, I care about the times playing ping pong in the basement at 2 in the morning or arguing at 4 a.m with my best friend about why David Lee Roth was going to be bigger now that he had left Van Halen, I enjoyed being pledge trainer alumni chairmen and going to the 1986 DU convention but most of all I enjoyed setting my own rules and standards and trying to live up to them instead of living in dorm and being told what to do.
Fraternities have a place for the right reasons and survive in spite of snobbery booze , insert your complaint here, because Greek Life touches a profound need in young adults, the the need to be a part of and have a say in something bigger than yourself in an otherwise alienating environment.



Cicero says it best


Of all the bonds of fellowship, there
is none more noble none more powerful than when good men of congenial character are joined in intimate friendship