It has to be one of the most debated extracurricular clubs for university students, one that is absolutely pure trash, evil, poisoning the youth, promoting sexual harassment, promoting assault, encouraging drinking, endorsing drug use, and approving partying. Surely nothing good can come from being in a sorority or fraternity—it sets students up for failure and a life of hardships.
Of course, that’s what it looks like to outsiders. Greek life has come under major fire for the past few years, with international headquarters being forced to shut down chapter after chapter due to scandals making headlines. The bulk of the issues being drugs, underage drinking, binge drinking, and sexual assault. And while I believe these are all absolutely unacceptable, none of them define Greek life. There is no direct correlation that connect these things to just Greek life. The fact is, all of these things are just related to university life in general.
But why are we being blamed? Well, you can’t shut down the entire university or a residence just because they’re binge drinkers or have a drug problem. Targeting a fraternity or sorority is much easier, and looks good on the university. It makes it seem like they’re solving the problem, when in reality, they’re doing nothing but ruining age old traditions. They’re dragging down an entire organization because a few people made poor decisions. And, they give Greek life a terrible reputation.
Quite honestly joining a sorority was the greatest decision I’ve ever made since coming to university. I’ve met some of my closest friends and met a group of amazing, strong females. These women are future leaders who are gaining life skills in a safe setting. Never once have I felt like I was in danger with my sisters or at a fraternity. The men and women I have met in the Greek scene at Western are future doctors, lawyers, business-people, marketers, etc. The network of former fraternity brothers/sororities sisters is huge, with a lot of famous celebrities or former US presidents finding home in the Greek scene.
Stop blaming everything on Greek life. University students will do what university students do—but I don’t see universities shutting down their football programs every time a player does drugs or is a perpetrator of sexual assault. Rethink Greek life, Western—it’s not all glitter and pillow fights and whatever other stereotypes you want to place on us. Stop using fraternities and sororities as your scapegoats.