Fraternities - the beginning of the end?

[Anonymous]

Liberal thought. If it won't change how we view it, let's just ban it !

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Let me just say this. I am pretty sure you are not supposed to call them frats. The line we heard in college was "would you cal your country your c*nt?"

That aside, there are plenty of idiots in fraternities. BUT there are also plenty of idiots not in fraternities.

So if we are going to let a few bad apples spoil the bushel, then I guess this also signified the beginning of the end of the world.

True but it's becoming more than a few bad apples, isn't it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here's my totally unfounded theory on it: We're entering the "generation" (or ages) where the people now in fraternities have never NOT known social media. It's the only way they communicate.

Social media has been around and popular for 10 years - absolutely. But the college-age young adults using it had lived without that way of communicating through most of their teen years. They were old enough to remember before social media and to have been lectured about the risks of the internet by their parents.

We're just now reaching the age where 18-20 year olds today truly don't remember before social media. They don't have the same sense of caution about it. Pictures that in the last decade were sent via mass text are now being posted on social media and the people think it is private - but it isn't.

We're about to enter a whole new world of social media faux pas where people are going to be caught doing a lot of things they've always done - but they're communicating it in a way that is going to make them more vulnerable to getting caught.

That's my take on it. I'm 29, for what that's worth. There is a huge change between how I interact with social media and my cousins who are 10 - 14 years younger than me do, because of how they grew up with it.

This is very correct. I am surprised by the things people post these days. I went to college in the stone age (I am 40). People didn't carry around cameras (for the most part) and cell phones were rare.
The only pictures you had from parties were taken by the "Picture Man". And you had to buy those, so it is not like there were tons floating around. Typically half the pictures were "rush ready" which meant someone yelled out "Rush Ready" and everyone hid their red solo cups and smiled appropriately for the camera. I am not saying there weren't raunchy pics but there was an understanding that #1 the Picture Man had the negative for all the pictures and would see everything he developed and #2 there are some pictures that are not for public consumption.

However while like most, I am quick to call it a generational thing, I have been to work parties and retreats where people on their 30 and 40s think nothing of posting pictures of others on facebook, or putting them on a shared drive, or one occasion they had the photographer burn copies of all the posed and candid photos for everyone. I think it is actually a societal issue. People these days seem to think everything needs to be documented. But I digress from the original topic.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me just say this. I am pretty sure you are not supposed to call them frats. The line we heard in college was "would you cal your country your c*nt?"

That aside, there are plenty of idiots in fraternities. BUT there are also plenty of idiots not in fraternities.

So if we are going to let a few bad apples spoil the bushel, then I guess this also signified the beginning of the end of the world.

True but it's becoming more than a few bad apples, isn't it?

I don't think people are any worse today than in the past. We just hear about it more b/c everyone feels their life isn't truly lived if it is not documented on social media.

[Anonymous]

As far as I can tell, the most influential Fraternities/Sororities are part of a much bigger, powerful system that will not go away any time soon. And that's because within the system, is an unspoken elite subsystem and keeps the whole thing afloat.

Generally, the most competitive/sought after houses attract good looking, well dressed, social, gregarious, fit, well connected pledges. And - if they are attending prestigious schools like Dartmouth, U of Penn, UVA, Brown, Duke or any of the other elite schools with a big frat scene, these pledges are bright and talented in some way too. Upon graduation, many gravitate to the types of firms and monied industries that just love this type of outgoing/social/smart person (Banking/Real Estate/Venture Capitol/Law). Many marry Greek (lots in common) and move to certain communities where they seek out the schools, churches, country clubs and activities where these same sort of social peers are members. Their kids will grow playing sports (preferably lacrosse) and bonding with other families at their summer homes in Maine and Aspen. And - when it is time to go to college - guess what.......many moms and dads will probably have been contributing to their alma maters since they got that first high paying job (or trust fund disbursement). Colleges and Universities tolerate the Greek System because of the tight , lifelong bonds that are created which keep alumni networks (and donation levels) strong. It is a system that is intentionally not for everybody - but the culture and customs it promotes are at the unspoken core of many elite circles reserved for the rich, powerful, outgoing and beautiful.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My DH is in a frat and his frat has been doing some serious work in cleaning up some issues on the undergrad level - mainly hazing. But DH is in an AAGLO and the undergrad experience was a bit different for him. There was partying and such, but drinking was not so much a focus. Honestly, DH says that he did not get the true value of the frat until he was out of school and all the folks were mature and in professions. It is a professional and social network. It has a mentoring program that is very important to him and some of the other community service stuff they do is commendable. He says that he enjoys it much more now than he ever did in college because he now fully understands that it is more than partying and popularity. Generally speaking, AAGLO's tend to have more of a life long component. Alumni chapters and older members are very active and a huge part of the frat nationally.

With our own kids (2 in college), we have told them not to pledge in undergrad. Once they get out of school and find a career, then we would support it because at the point, the focus of joining is different. It would be like joining any other professional/social club as an adult.

What is an AAGLO? And I've never known someone to join a fraternity after graduation. Where does that exist?

NP here. African American Greek Letter Organization. I don't know why PP didn't just say that. But yes, many people join after graduation for the purpose of community service and community. Pretty common.

PP here. Thanks. I guess I could have typed it out or said "AA frat" LOL. Co-sign the rest of your post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:One thing that would really help both sororities and fraternities - begin the integration of all black fraternities and sororities. It encourages division and perpetuates racism in the organizations. All the organizations have to embrace integration for it to be successful. And yes, I understand the motivation for such organizations but the world changes and we are trying to move on to be more inclusive so its not just about black organizations accepting whites but accepting all ethnicity and races.

We had some white (and other) members in my AA fraternity. It was never discouraged. I would assume that every AA frat/sorority on every campus has a few non-black members. And, obviously there are black members of white fraternities on most campuses. It's pretty much integrated (to a point) now.

PP here. DH's frat has White, Asian and Hispanic members. The frat does not discourage and there a few high profile White members of his frat (zach galifianakis - the guy who was in the Hangover movies). In fact, DH says that the issue runs the other way. That a lot of White guys who were friends of folks in the frat did not want to join an AA frat.

[Anonymous]

You should see the new movie out "The Hunting Ground" about all of the sexual assaults vs. women on college campuses across America. Many frats are the main culprits. I wouldn't want my kid in a frat or a sorority. They seem too exclusive of differences for one, and most of the kids drink too much for two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me just say this. I am pretty sure you are not supposed to call them frats. The line we heard in college was "would you cal your country your c*nt?"

That aside, there are plenty of idiots in fraternities. BUT there are also plenty of idiots not in fraternities.

So if we are going to let a few bad apples spoil the bushel, then I guess this also signified the beginning of the end of the world.

True but it's becoming more than a few bad apples, isn't it?

I don't think people are any worse today than in the past. We just hear about it more b/c everyone feels their life isn't truly lived if it is not documented on social media.

+1

If anything, fraternities are WAY more tame and regulated today than they were when I was in college 25 years ago. The big differences now is that kids have camera phones and social media.

I'll let my own children decide for themselves, but there are definitely advantages to the Greek system. It's not all partying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Let me just say this. I am pretty sure you are not supposed to call them frats. The line we heard in college was "would you cal your country your c*nt?"

That aside, there are plenty of idiots in fraternities. BUT there are also plenty of idiots not in fraternities.

So if we are going to let a few bad apples spoil the bushel, then I guess this also signified the beginning of the end of the world.

True but it's becoming more than a few bad apples, isn't it?

I don't think people are any worse today than in the past. We just hear about it more b/c everyone feels their life isn't truly lived if it is not documented on social media.

+1

If anything, fraternities are WAY more tame and regulated today than they were when I was in college 25 years ago. The big differences now is that kids have camera phones and social media.

I'll let my own children decide for themselves, but there are definitely advantages to the Greek system. It's not all partying.

+1

[Anonymous]

psu again? FFS, I wish my parents would've let me go to the way higher ranked privates I got into.

Fuck you georgetown, cmu, and jhu for being so stingy with your aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:psu again? FFS, I wish my parents would've let me go to the way higher ranked privates I got into.

Fuck you georgetown, cmu, and jhu for being so stingy with your aid.

That sucks. You went to PSU even though you got into Georgetown, CMU, JHU?!

[Anonymous]

Greek life is for low life barbarians who try to rationalize their behavior. Group think at it's worst with binge drinking and degrading of women. The story is all over the news this morning. Penn State again seems to be a leader as a breeding ground for sex crimes against victims. Until college students sober up there will continue to be crimes against women.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As far as I can tell, the most influential Fraternities/Sororities are part of a much bigger, powerful system that will not go away any time soon. And that's because within the system, is an unspoken elite subsystem and keeps the whole thing afloat.

Generally, the most competitive/sought after houses attract good looking, well dressed, social, gregarious, fit, well connected pledges. And - if they are attending prestigious schools like Dartmouth, U of Penn, UVA, Brown, Duke or any of the other elite schools with a big frat scene, these pledges are bright and talented in some way too. Upon graduation, many gravitate to the types of firms and monied industries that just love this type of outgoing/social/smart person (Banking/Real Estate/Venture Capitol/Law). Many marry Greek (lots in common) and move to certain communities where they seek out the schools, churches, country clubs and activities where these same sort of social peers are members. Their kids will grow playing sports (preferably lacrosse) and bonding with other families at their summer homes in Maine and Aspen. And - when it is time to go to college - guess what.......many moms and dads will probably have been contributing to their alma maters since they got that first high paying job (or trust fund disbursement). Colleges and Universities tolerate the Greek System because of the tight , lifelong bonds that are created which keep alumni networks (and donation levels) strong. It is a system that is intentionally not for everybody - but the culture and customs it promotes are at the unspoken core of many elite circles reserved for the rich, powerful, outgoing and beautiful.....

Darlin', you need to get out more -- the '50s are calling you.

[Anonymous]

Fraternity guys doing dumb things - not new

Transparency and social media - new



More light is shining on things that have been going on for a long, long time. in 1975, I am sure if you got beaten up at a fraternity party or were over-served, nothing happened - now you fire off a couple of tweets and start a media firestorm.

Not condoning any of this behavior - it is deplorable - simply saying that it has been deplorable for a long time and it is not limited to any one campus in this country. The media has a taste for blood on this issue now and any small story or spark will continue to get a ton of attention.