The Impact Of Greek Life On College Campuses

The ancient Greeks with their brilliant and imaginative spirit created a complete order of things that functioned harmoniously in the infinite world that contained them. Although its exact origins are lost in time, Greek religion is thought to date from about the 2d millenium B.C., when the culture of Aryan invaders fused with those of the Aegean and Minoan peoples who had inhabited the region of Greece from Neolithic times [1]. The beginning and the genesis of this world occupied the ancient Greeks in much the same way it did the early people of every civilization. Greek religion was at the beginning a blend of Minoan, Egyptian, Asian, and other elements, but it subsequently evolved along with Greek thought.

Since the beginning of time the people of the world have their share of beliefs. Greek mythology is the arguably the most popular region of study. In Ancient Greece every citizen had a patron that would protect them and pantheism was commonplace. The Romans admired the Greeks in their art and culture and even took different aspects of their gods. Polytheism was widely accepted in all cultures so the seed of mythology bloomed. The time line of the creations of gods to the end of their reign is an important factor in Greek Mythology.

Ancient Greece has been a religion- centered culture since the earliest period of habitation in Greece, the Pre-Mycenaean/Mycenaean period. Also through to the Dark Ages to the Classical period. It is a religiously centered civilization, and did have significant changes in the how it was incorporated into people’s daily lives. Religion is important to know about the Ancient Greeks because through it we are able to understand how they lived their lives.

When undergraduates become interested in Greek life, they have to decide if the advantages outweigh the risks. In the news, the public hears the negative side of Greek life such as the students in sororities and fraternities passing away from alcohol abuse, or colleges such as Indiana University suspending fraternities on campus for hazing and alcohol violations until March 2018. While many negative topics about Greek life are prominent in the news, not all sororities and fraternities experience hazing and illegal problems. Although both advantages and disadvantages arise on college campuses within Greek life, undergraduate students usually benefit from being a part of a sorority or fraternity and are able to create a healthy environment and community to learn, work, and live in.

Between family legacies, traditions, and an abundance of college themed movies, books, and television shows, it would be difficult to find a prospective college student who is not familiar with the idea of “Greek life.” For the purpose of this essay, “Greek life” refers to the system employed by many colleges and universities to establish and maintain fraternities and sororities (primarily dominated by caucasian and economically advantages students). It is important to note the existence of fraternities and organizations outside of this stereotypical “Greek” realm, such as coeducational honor and service based fraternities, though even these are not fully exempt from detrimental practices. Fraternities and sororities are often looked down upon with a negative light for a number of reasons, some of which include dangerous hazing habits and unsavory social scenes. While there certainly are undeniable benefits and negatives within these systems, the biggest effect they have is on gender. “Greek life” in college is unhealthy due to its impact on post-college gender expectations by promoting party culture, encouraging misogyny through ingrained tradition, and indoctrinating women into subservience at an impressionable age.

Reitman acquires information that in 2010, a first year student by the name of Andrew Lohse, pledged to a fraternity called Sigma Alpha Epsilon which disclosed the traditions of Greek hazing. The article elaborately describes the acts of hazing new pledges must face. “One brother recalls the night some of the pledges were served a scramble of vomit and eggs, known as a ‘vomlet’” (356). Lohse unveiled all of the hazing events that he had been involved with for nearly two years, until it had become clear that

The binge drinking and partying of fraternities and sororities is now under the concern of the chapter locally and nationally. Every year there is a national hazing awareness week that every fraternity and sorority on every campus in America participates in. The only way to fix the problem is the educate people about the problem. To outweigh the heavy expense on a member’s pocket is the ability to apply for scholarships within a fraternity or sorority nationally. A Greek organization offers aid when needed and if cannot solely help look for other outlets for financial aid for a member. Organizations focus on education and give endless resources to members within the house and on campus. Members of Greek organizations have so much potential to become well-rounded individuals and being in these organizations helps them shape these potentials to achieve the most success as

In S.Rogers, C. Rogers, T Anderson’s 2012, article EXAMINING THE LINK BETWEEN PLEDGING, HAZING, AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT AMONG MEMBERS OF A BLACK GREEK FATERNITY. Gives the reader an insight on the stereotypes and misconception that are placed on African American Greek organizations. Even though there are hazing rituals that are conducted to build a better relationship between the pledgees and the organization. The “hazing” or as most know it by the initiation rituals are to weed out those who seem unfit to be a part of a 100 + year organization. Though some of the initiation rituals have resulted in physical, psychological and even death. The initiation rituals build not only character nonetheless members for life.

When one first thinks of Greek life or a sorority the only thing that comes to mind is the social aspect. Most people don’t think of sororities as social institutions that envelop their own culture, with mannerisms, languages and customs that are unique to each individual organization. However, these institutions promote a common set of values that enable members to become connected in a way that has a more profound meaning than just social interaction. Greek organizations are good examples of how institutions can affect and be affected by social status and roles within the collegiate community. They are also a prime example of how race, class and gender can affect a social setting in both positive and negative manners.

Sororities and fraternities are becoming more influential on college campuses and among the professional world. Over 730 schools across the United States have the Greek life system and there are several different fraternities and sororities on each college campus. Many Americans have extremely different opinions about Greek life as a whole. Although many say it is all about partying, there are many pros and cons to joining Greek life. Greek life can be a very good experience in college, it is whatever people make it.

Hazing in universities across the nation has become an increasingly dangerous ritual that is seemingly becoming more difficult to put an end to due to its development into an “underground” activity. Though a regular activity in the seventies, hazing, a possible dangerous act of initiation to a group, has now become an activity that is banned in thirty-nine states (Wagner 16). However, this ritual has not been stopped or become less severe. In fact it is becoming more dangerous. Since it has been banned, with many colleges imposing their own penalties against those participating in it, many fraternities and sororities have pursued this activity in an underground fashion. Since these groups have gone underground, some victims of these

Over several decades, Greek life has been an integral part of colleges and universities throughout the United States. There is a high demand of “fitting in” in today’s society and a question that students, parents, and teachers alike often ask themselves is, “Does Greek life provide a more safe or harmful environment?” With strong evidence, it is absolutely absurd to believe that fraternities and sororities do more good than they do harm. Various statistics provide factual evidence as to why Greek life is a toxic and dangerous environment for many young adults. Between the rape culture, hazing, and delinquency linked to the students associated with Greek life, it is time that it comes to an end for good so that students may have a more safe and enjoyable college experience. Fraternities and Sororities should be banned off of college and university campuses due to the danger and drama associated with them.

Participating in Greek life allows students to be exposed and become connected with important people as soon as their freshman year of college. Many people coming from Greek background have been successful in their career. Many of this country’s important people have been involved in the Greek life. For example, according to the University of Missouri, “Up to 70 percent of the U.S. President's’ cabinet members since 1900 have been fraternity or sorority members. 
 76 percent of U.S. Senators are fraternity or sorority members” (qtd. in Mendez).

My experience attending the "Seminar on Greece" with Dr. Khosrowshahi was a very interesting, fun and informational way to gain knowledge of the different cultures and history of other parts of the world. I do not have an extensive knowledge of Greek history or culture. I enjoyed learning the different traditions and cultural rituals of the Greek culture. I learned a lot about the history of Greece and how much the history influences many other cultures throughout the world. The most interesting fact and important impression I took away from the seminar is my Mother's name is "Diane", neither my mother or myself knew the Greek history behind her name. I enjoyed how Dr. K used different ways to involve the students at the seminar to become engaged in learning and experiencing Greek culture. I found the drum performance quite exciting and interesting. Also, the young ladies demonstrating their cultural dance skills were very entertaining. After learning more about Greek culture, I found it very interesting how much the alphabet and language influences American English.

Malcom X once said,” I imagine that one of the biggest troubles with colleges is there are too many distractions, too much panty-raiding, fraternities, and boola-boola and all of that.” College is a place where people discover who they are, and what they are interested in. Many students become involved on campus by joining organizations and clubs. This allows them to meet other people with similar interests and allows them to be involved. Many of these students join fraternities and sororities. Although many of these students make the decision to be a part of Greek life. It involves hazing the pledge class, which comes with a price. Hazing is a problem because it is illegal and continues to happen, hazing has led to many students being injured, hospitalized, and in worst cases suffering a fatality. These cases do not only hurt the to the reputation of Greek Life, it hurts the members of sororities and fraternities, and the families of the students affected. Ultimately, Greek life consists of too many negative effects that cannot continue to occur. The best solution for this problem is to completely ban fraternities and sororities because hazing leads to students being harmed or killed and put through alcohol and substance abuse. By banning Greek life, we ensure that no more students are put through this abuse.