Ironic...

[ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl]

Ree wrote a great post. Fraternities and sororities are not just about partying or drinking or such, but let's face it. Most of us here are collegians, and it doesn't matter if you're in an organization or you're an independent: socializing and drinking is probably high on your priority list. Not everybody focuses on those two aspects of college life, but seriously: most do. As far as Recruitment, it's the lifeblood of these organizations. One pledge class can ruin a chapter or make improve it 110%. A few years of bad recruitment can close a chapter. It's hard to balance the constant need for new members with the pressure to pick the right ones, so it's a popular topic with most of us. It's copmlex and extremely important. Risk Management is just as important. We don't want our brothers and sisters getting themselves into trouble, getting our whole chapters into trouble, or, god forbid, badly injure themselves. Today liability is a huge issue, with lawsuits being thrown around all over the place, as well.

We all have philanthropies that we raise huge amounts of money for anually. Being in a fraternity or sorority often gives the average college student, who will rarely take the initiative to support or run a large fundraising event, a chance to do that.

[REE1993]

Originally Posted by ΑΓΔSquirrelGirl

Ree wrote a great post.

We all have philanthropies that we raise huge amounts of money for anually. Being in a fraternity or sorority often gives the average college student, who will rarely take the initiative to support or run a large fundraising event, a chance to do that.

Thanks for the compliment! I agree, social or service-oriented, our GLOs are more than what appears on the outside. I do not condone hazing or alcohol infractions, but those rules are necessary in this highliy litigious world.

And no, you don't have to be Greek to be slopy drunk, peeing in public, or be comsumed by your looks and designer bags. It just so happens that in EVERY group, be it Greek, church, choir, class, dorm - there are people who get out of hand.

ETA There is strength in numbers. If you gather 50 people to clean up the campus, and you all wore yellow shirts that read "Campus Clenaup 2006", isn't that the same thing?

My first school had some pretty major incidents on campus that involved Greeks, but many more that involved "regular" students.

BTW I am not a Barbie, I am brunette, short, kind of geeky, and wear glasses. I take of my self and pride in presenting myself nicely. Unless it's 10am on a sunday and I haven't had coffee yet and I am driving to Dunks. And I was president, and membership VP (pledge mom) of my sorority, as well as an editor of the Student newspaper, AND Homecoming queen. Looking at me, you would never believe it.

Like I said earlier, if you don't like it, stay away. If you see something illegal, call the cops and let them take care of it. But please don't judge anyone because of the letters they wear. We are just more visible as a group. Think about those lacrosse players in (I think) one of the Carolina schools. If it had been a group of non-affilated (sports team) people, would it have reached such stature in the news? (NOT CONDONING IT).