View: Greeks contribute more than noise

With the loud music, car beating and pig roast this past week at different fraternity houses, it’s hard to blame people for agreeing with the stereotype of Greeks being only interested in partying. However, what people tend to see less of are the other purposes of the Greek community but which are just as prevalent as these visible entertaining activities.

Each fraternity and sorority involved at USU has gives large contributions and has several requirements regarding service, scholarship and other positive aspects of college life.

Last year, the Greek community raised more than $17,000 to go toward philanthropies supported by each house, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, Girl Scouts of America, Children’s Miracle Network and others. To raise this money, the Greek students volunteered their time, giving earned wages to their philanthropies, and organize fund-raising events. They sponsor activities that raise awareness of domestic violence, collect cans for the food bank and promote the Best Buddies organization. The Greeks also recorded more than 4,500 service hours last school year.

Along with focusing on service, the Greek houses all have the importance of scholarship implemented into their programs. The Greeks have certain GPAs they must get in order to be a part of their organizations, and several sororities and fraternities require completion of study hours in order to attend social activities.

The Greek community also focuses on leadership skills, each house having an executive board and many leadership positions, and involvement on campus. Some intramural sports have entire pools of teams from the Greek houses, and participation with the Service Center is highly encouraged. The fraternities and sororities also all promote brotherhood and sisterhood within each house as well as cooperation with each other.

On Monday, USU President Stan Albrecht invited the Greek students and advisers to a dinner at his home, where he commended them on their involvement on campus and willingness to serve. He noted that Greeks make up a group of loyal alumni, willing to contribute greatly to not just their own houses or the Greek community, but to the entire USU campus. He attributed this to Greeks learning loyalty within their individual houses and thanked them for their consistent support.

Albrecht makes a great point, as the Greek community contributes largely to our campus and Cache Valley community. When people look past the party image and understand what Greeks really do, maybe they won’t be so quick to judge.