Myths and Realities
After seeing one of the highest grossing movies of all time, “Animal House,” starring John Belushi, about Faber College’s Delta fraternity house, a common misconception is that all fraternities and sororities are represented in the movie.
The movie left audiences with the stereotypical impression that fraternities and sororities are irresponsible, abusive, out of control, partying organizations.
About 2 percent of Utah State University’s student body participates in the Greek system.
“Their only perception spawns from past stories and the ‘Animal House’ movie. Getting involved with school events is how we’re moving away from these stereotypes,” said Mike Flanagan, Beta Theta Pi alumnus.
However, the University of Idaho, the closest Greek system to USU, has 17 fraternities and 8 sororities, and its numbers are still growing, said Chindy Popich, University of Idaho’s Alpha Phi president.
Hazing
When reflecting on irresponsible, abusive and out-of-control behavior, it is the ritual of hazing – a way of initiating a pledge – that comes to mind.
“All Greeks are going through changes to improve that image,” Popich said.
USU’s Greek system can agree.
“If it happens it is very minimal. There’re old traditions and certain ceremonies, but none of them are meant to demean,” Flanagan said.
Sigma Chi’s national standpoint is that hazing is not allowed, and Greek chapters have been closed down for that reason, said Justin Albracht, Sigma Chi president.
The sororities also have a policy forbidding hazing.
At USU’s Kappa Delta, when the women become members they sign a contract, said Lindsay Jensen, Kappa Delta public relations president.
At U of I, no sororities practice hazing at all. Speakers address these issues, Popich said.
Grades
At USU, a minimum grade point average of 2.5 must be upheld while in the fraternity or sorority.
“It will definitely help them,” Flanagan said. “When we pledged people, we required [them] to go to the library and study.”
Sigma Chi and Kappa Delta enforce the same type of system.
Study tables are set up if a minimum GPA is not met. This forces members to study and offers incentives to get better grades, Albracht said.
Rush Week
There is one formal rush week for all the Greeks per year.
Activities during Rush Week are geared toward getting students to come out and meet the members and to see if they fit in.
“We look for high-caliber and mainly people you can get along with,” Flannagan said.
For Alpha Phi at U of I, Rush Week is a week-long party when girls visit the houses and participate in the choosing process, Popich said.
Sigma Chi uses a Jordan Standard – a specific set of measurements- during Rush Week to look at pledges and recruits, Albracht said.
Alcohol Policy, parties
The alcohol policy is strictly enforced at USU. USU has a separate fraternity board and judicial board that does house checks. Flannagan was a member of the judicial board a year ago. If the Greek organization has more than three violations, it is in jeopardy of losing its charter, he said.
No alcohol is allowed at parties, except twice a year at formal or alumni events that admit only members 21 years old and older, and often require members to be on a guest list, Flannagan said.
“Sigma Chi only allows us to on campus if we abide by the alcohol policies. At open parties, no alcohol is allowed,” Albracht said.
Sigma Nu President Michael Bergs, agreed. “We don’t allow it into the house. It’s not welcome here.”
As far as parties are concerned, most of the time money from the parties, held on the weekends, goes to charities or for upkeep on the house.
Moving away from the stereotype
The typical stereotypes of “Revenge of the Nerds” and “Animal House” have been blown way out of proportion, Popich said.
Today the Greek system is more dedicated to serving the community and working with various philanthropies.
Another myth is that joining a fraternity or sorority means “buying friends.”
“Everything in life costs you something,” Flannagan said.
Bergs agreed. “I had to pay to play Rugby, and everything in this world does take money.”
The Greek system both at USU and the University of Idaho, among other universities, is taking steps toward serving the community and building a foundation for its members that can last a lifetime.
“Most of all, it’s important for students to realize we [Greeks] are a part of USU and not a separate organization,” Bergs said.