College Fraternaties Essay, Research Paper
College FraternatiesA fraternity, as defined by the The American HeritageDictionary is “a chiefly social organization of male collegestudents, usually designated by Greek letters.”(pg. 523) Thisdefinition, however, is very limited and leaves plenty of spacefor short sighted people to believe the stereotype conveyed bythe popular media, where fraternity members are depicted asdrunks who accomplish nothing either scholastically orsocially. Unfortunately, both this definition and mediaportrayals fail to mention the fact that membership in afraternity is a life-long experience that helps its membersdevelop social, organizational, and study skills duringcollege, and that teaches true, everlasting friendship. As amatter of fact, fraternities have a long tradition of highacademic achievement, and most of our nation’s presidents weremembers of a Greek association. According to Irving Klepper, the first fraternity (PhiBeta Kappa) was founded for “social and literary purposes” atthe College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia onDecember 5th 1776. After half a century of existence, it became and has since remained a scholarship honor society. Throughout the nineteenth century, many new fraternities werefounded, but none of these were permanent. Then, in 1825, theKappa Alpha Fraternity (now Kappa Alpha Society) was born atUnion College. Two years later, Sigma Phi and Delta Phi hadbeen founded at the same college, constituting the so-calledUnion Triad which was, in a large measure, the pattern for theAmerican Fraternity system. By the end of the nineteenthcentury there were over thirty general fraternities in thiscountry (pg. 18).Today’s fraternities still have all the characteristicsand precepts of the their past fraternities: “the charm andmystery of secrecy, a ritual, oaths of fidelity, a grip, amotto, a badge, a background of high idealism, a strong tie offriendship and comradeship, and urge for sharing its valuesthrough nationwide expansion.” (Klepper pg. 18) In addition,today’s fraternities help their members develop many skillswhich are used in and out of college. During membership in a fraternity, one must learnleadership skills, because the chapter has to be run in abusiness-like manner and because it embraces different offices(President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Scribe, etc..) which areheld by its members. These offices closely resemble the onesof real business. Additionally, since membership in afraternity is seen as a great achievement by other Greekassociations’ members, every brother must be able to upholdthat office at any time. Organization is a must for every member of a fraternity. Fund raising activities and community service always have ahigh priority in every chapter, and each member is required toorganize and/or take part in many of these activities as apledge, a brother and an alumnus. This helps individualswithin the group to develop organization and planning. Inaddition, since the fraternity might be located in a house,each brother must learn household organization for his brotherswell being. Fraternities are famous for their energetic socialgatherings (parties) which require all of their members to besocially active and outspoken when the occasion calls for it.This helps fraternity members develop very strong socialskills. Since the act of one member reflects over the acts ofall the others, self-control and awareness of actions aremandatory. In addition, when the brothers live in fraternityhouses, this adds to the development of social skills in theway that a member must be able to deal and live with differentkinds of people in different situations.Since there are people of different scholastic levels in afraternity, the member of the fraternity have access to a greatdeal of knowledge on many different school subjects. It isnormal for fraternities to organize study groups regularlyduring the school year and especially before exams. In addition, members might also use the opinion and adviceof other members about the faculty in their favor, and mostfraternities keep test files and other such study aidsavailable for the benefit of their members. Most fraternitymembers are also eligible to receive a number of differentscholarships and awards based on academic excellence,leadership, and personal achievement which can contribute toboth the resume and the self-esteem of the person receivingsuch an honor. Fraternities are also well known for their support toward
their community. In fact, other than the usual, chapter-runprojects, many chapters requi
Abramson, Brian D. Personal Interview. 1 Apr. 1996. Fraternity Executives Association “Statement ofposition on Hazing and Pre-initiation Activities” The portals of Tau Epsilon Phi Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia 1937Klepper, Irving The portals of Tau Epsilon PhiTau Epsilon Phi Fraternity, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia1937Morris, William, ed. The American Heritage Dictionary of theEnglish Language. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston,Massachusetts 1982Nykolaiszyn, John P. “Hazing: Greeks get a bad rap.”The Beacon Feb. 13th 1996: 12.