From: jagreath@eos.ncsu.edu (JOSEPH ALAN GREATHOUSE)
Subject: Re: Frats
Originator: jagreath@c00100-100lez.eos.ncsu.edu
Reply-To: jagreath@eos.ncsu.edu (JOSEPH ALAN GREATHOUSE)
Organization: North Carolina State University, Project Eos
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1992 07:47:51 GMT


In article <1992Nov9.011955.7063@umr.edu>, ckincy@mcs213f.cs.umr.edu (Charles Kincy) writes:
|>In article <seyWO1W00iV3M9kYpi@andrew.cmu.edu> ac4x+@andrew.cmu.edu (Ariye M. Cohen) writes:
|>>
|>>On 05-Nov-92 in Re: Frats                    
|>>user J.H. Huebner@ultb.isc.ri writes:
|>>>organizations. Also I would argue that the most powerfull and in my
|>>>opinion healthiest Fraternity on campus is APhiO the National _CO-ED_
|>>>sevice fraternity.
|>>
|>>First, the greek system has a higher GPA than the rest of campus (2.87
|>>vs 2.4). Also 70% of all orientation counselors are greek (shows their

|>This is highly campus-dependent.  Here, the non-Greeks smash the Greeks
|>in GPA.  Furthermore, it is a good argument that Greek GPAs are dis-
|>torted because pledges are required to keep large amounts of study 
|>hours, while actives have no such requirements.  And pledges get fac-
|>tored in with the rest of the actives for GPA determination.

Statistics, please?

|>[Although, I will grant, that more Greeks graduate than non-Greeks,
|>proportionally.]

That right there says something very positive about the Fraternity system.  And
yet you assert later in this post that this same system is not beneficial nor
desirable.  How can a group which improves a member's chance of graduating be
such a terrible detriment to the college?  What would happen to the graduation
rate without Fraternities?  Answer: It would probably drop.
|>>activity on campus and leadership positions). With over 30% of CMU
|>>student's in the Greek system it is obvious that they play an important
|>>part as the backbone of the campus community. Also it is the greek

|>This hardly means that they are desirable and beneficial to the campus.
|>A circular argument, to be sure.

So leadership, scholarship, and outstanding character are niether desirable nor
beneficial to the campus community? I beg to differ.  

Students attending a college for the first time tend to be overwhelmed by the
sheer size and relative anonymity of a campus setting.  Each person wants to 
find a niche where they feel that they "belong."  Getting involved in a campus
group, like a fraternity, helps to fill that basic social need that everybody
has to some degree.  And that alone establishes the legitimacy, desirability
and benefits of membership in a Fraternity.  I am not saying that becoming a 
Fraternity member is the *only* way to establish that niche, rather that it is
*one* way of many.  It is a way that a good number of bright young people choose
each year.  


|>>system which is the most charitable section of the community (through
|>>fundraisers, activities, etc.). 

|>Can you say "corporate sponsors salting the tip-jar."  I knew you 
|>could.  Most non-Greek students have to scrape and do without just
|>to be there.  There is no extra money for things such as charity.
|>True charity begins at home; why don't I see Greek fundraisers helping
|>needy students?  [well, ok...forget that last question.]

Can you say thousands of *MAN-HOURS* put into community service?  Philanthropy
is not just raising money and giving it to an organization.  It is donating
time.  Have you ever worked with your city parks and recreation department to
build and improve handicapped access to playgrounds as a volunteer?  Have you
ever worked on the side of a road picking up people's garbage to make your 
town a nicer place to live?  Have you ever been a "hugger" for the Special
Olympics?  I have.  And I didn't have to give one dime for it.  I just had to
give some of my time.
  
|>>No one is pressured if they are not affiliated with a particular house
|>>or no house at all...however a majority of the leaders (or at least the
|>>visible leaders) are members of the fraternities. I have noticed this in
|>>my first few months here.

|>This could be that the only effective way to network among students
|>is to be Greek, ne c'est pas?  Like I said, another circular argument.

No, it's just that the best leaders tend to be attracted to organizations which
will help them develop themselves as a whole person.  Fraternities.

|>>The Greek system as a whole...if run the way it was supposed to...works.
|>>CMU's IFC just adopted a new constitution that makes it necessary for
|>>houses with chronic problems to shape up and ship out. 

|>I'm not arguing that it doesn't work.  In fact, that it *does* work
|>is what bothers me.  It works to keep the rich, elitist people in
|>power, and the poor NT types out.  The fact that most
|>politicians were once Greek affirms this, in my mind.

Hmm.  So I'm rich and elitist?  I'm putting myself through college, paying 
out of state tuition and working my *butt* off.  My parents don't make a whole
lot of money, so I have to pay for school.  And my Fraternity.  It's something
I consider to be well worth my time and effort, though.  If your assertion
were true, I wouldn't be a part of the Greek system because my background 
wouldn't permit me.

|>Service fraternities, however, such as APO, are beneficial, because
|>their main drive is *service*, not "brotherhood" or fun.  And 
|>professional societies, such as Tau Beta Pi, are extremely useful at best,
|>and harmless at worst.  These are not really part of the "Greek system,"
|>however, because these organizations hold no real power.

What's wrong with a family concept at college?  
What's wrong with having some fun while in college?
What's wrong with doing some community service?
What's wrong with encouraging good grades, scholarship, and graduation?
Nothing.  That's some of what a good Fraternity offers.

-- 
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*                                                                        *
*  Joseph A. Greathouse            *  All opinions are solely mine.      *  
*  Theta Chi Fraternity            *  A non-hazing, leadership-oriented  *
*  Delta Rho Chapter               *  organization, promoting Alma Mater *
*  North Carolina State University *  and the concept of a Helping Hand. *
*  Final Score:  Wolfpack 31 - Wahoos 7  Go Pack!!!!                     *
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