Essay on fraternity changes

Submitted By anewman2242
Words: 1016
Pages: 5
Open Document
The Change is Fraternity Life There are over 350 Greek fraternities and sororities classified as social organization, nationwide today. With so many Greek organizations at nearly every college campus, one must wonder, “How did it all begin”. Every fraternity has a beginning and the majority of them have the same story to go along with the founding. The founders of these fraternities are some of the most respected and brave men to accomplish such a big object, knowing what consequences may come along the way. In the year of 1776 on December 5th, five young men at the college of William and Mary located in Virginia, came together to form the first known Greek-letter fraternity in the United States. The five men who started this group were John Heath, Thomas Smith, Richard Booker, Armistead Smith and John Jones. They thought long and hard of a name using the Greek alphabet that meant something they could live by and a standard these men could hold themselves too. They then named their fraternity Phi Beta Kappa. Phi Beta Kappa stands for the Latin words, philosophia biou kubernetes, meaning ‘Philosophy the Guide of Life’. Even though the existence of religious and trade societies is crucial to the establishment of college fraternities in their basic form, the founding of Phi Beta Kappa, the first Greek-letter college fraternity in America, was due to the desire by its members to unify students at the nine colleges in the colonies and to strengthen the intellect of the members (Fleming). These men lived by three principles “Fraternity, Morality and Literature.” The founding of most college social Greek-letter fraternities was founded during the time of World War II. Fraternities were mainly founded in the state of Virginia and surrounding states in the years 1860-1870. The creation of fraternities was mainly to promote brotherly love, kind feeling, and to hold each other to a higher standard, so one may most successfully accomplish their objects and goals. The reason there are so many different fraternities today, is because every group may believe in the same principles, but may disagree with a principle that other fraternities promote. Therefore, they resolved to form their own fraternity so that one person can promote his values and share them with others who have a common mindset. Since the founding of fraternities at the majority of colleges over 125 years ago, social fraternities have grown tremendously to nearly every college in the nation. The rapid growth of fraternities has had people stereotyping this subculture in negative ways. The view on this youth subculture, from non-members, is generally talking down on the group by basically saying fraternities are rich and spoiled college kids who want to party nonstop. Fraternities generally seem like they would be filled with students who would not make it through their entire four years of school. Though, this may be true for the ‘Frat Guy’ from movies, the real men of fraternities end up doing very will in school and with their life. There is a seventy percent graduation rate for members of fraternities, compared to the independent college students who have a less than fifty percent chance of graduating. Since 1910, eighty-five percent of Supreme Court justices have belonged to a fraternity. In addition, of the nations 50 largest corporations, 43 of those are headed by men of this subculture (Daley). The numbers do not lie and show that being Greek is not such a bad thing after all. With chapters expanding all over the country, people are hearing stories of more and more incidents being broadcasted by the media. A dramatic change that has occurred since the founding of social fraternities that is often shown by the media is hazing. When fraternities were established, there were no rules to what you can do to a potential new member to prove how far they were willing to go and their determination to be in a fraternity. Hazing pledges has been part of being a
Show More

Related Documents: Essay on fraternity changes

Critical Study Of American Fraternities

investigates American fraternities in an effective way which cause you to conclude that they are beneficial as well as dangerous. Fraternities can destroy the character of a person, but also provide protection and confidence substantially. She continues to emphasize the choice selection of each of the members chosen. Even though, significance comes into account about your identity:your name, worth of family, last name, family history, academics, etc.; she explains how the fraternity culture needs more…

Words 554 - Pages 3

Synthesis: Fraternities and Sororities and Block Seating Essay

it unjust that block seating exists, as well as explains why many do not understand why fraternities are awarded privileges that others are not. The article argues point such as block seating being bias, discriminatory and secluded. Although many people are upset with block seating at the University of Alabama, I feel by changing it would ruin the tradition we intend to keep as well as rewarding the fraternities for their academic and social standings on campus. The article argues that block seating…

Words 1100 - Pages 5

Why Is Hazing Wrong

Anytime I have spoken or talked to anyone about fraternities, I have been asked about the ongoing problem of hazing. Hazing is the practice of rituals and other activities that consist of harassment, abuse, or humiliation used to initiate someone into a group. There has been incidents of hazing in the military, gangs, and sports teams, but as of lately it is most commonly practiced in fraternities. Those who have no involvement in this culture tend to not understand the severity of hazing and think…

Words 1799 - Pages 8

Unrequited: Fraternity Life At Michigan State University

Unrequited Fraternity life at Michigan State University in Grand Rapids receives the responsibility for the death of Hector Campos Junior. Ultimately, Campos desperately yearns to be accepted as a part of Phi Epsilon that he swears that he’d “kill himself” (616). This promise of death, if not accepted by Phi Epsilon, shows that the fraternity life and high standards it holds makes Hector feel inferior. Taking his chances with fatality to prove his loyalty and commitment to the fraternity encourages…

Words 722 - Pages 3

Greek Life Annual Report

this campus if one decides to go Greek they immediately create a new friend group, and in the case for most people, hang out exclusively with members of their fraternity or sorority. While this is not a bad thing necessarily, it creates a large separation socially between whites and non-whites. According to the 2014-2015 DePauw Fraternity & Sorority Life Annual Report, 83% of all Caucasian students are in a Greek organization totaling 1,248, yet only 40% of African American students did accumulating…

Words 651 - Pages 3

EXPLORING GREEK LIFE Essay

……………………………….8 Exclusive Summary The College’s Working Group on Greek Life and Campus Community formed to examine how fraternities and sororities can best contribute to certain University’s futures in the context of the College’s strategic plans. The objective here was to understand more clearly the benefits of fraternity and sorority membership and develop insight on avenues for preserving and enhancing these benefits while mitigating problems the chapters face. Greek…

Words 1506 - Pages 7

Haze: Fraternities and Sororities and White Health Advocate Essay

worse, hazing. What most would say is just a part or pledging can become brutal and life threatening. Though some only go through small amounts of hazing and do not suffer any effects in the long run, others do. Sadly, hazing in sororities and fraternities is not an uncommon thing. No matter how many rules are made, or how many presentations are given hazing still exists. Just because it isn’t happening to you doesn’t mean it’s not happening to others. There are hundreds if not thousands, of people…

Words 1562 - Pages 7

Owls Out On A Limb Case Study

Reach out to Owls Out On a Limb. The President or Membership Development Chairman contacts the individual when Kappa’s Owl Out on a Limb Chairman receives her name. This Kappa, who is new to the area, has notified the Fraternity of her interest in joining an alumnae association. Invite her to the next meeting or event. • Send the owl a newsletter, put her on your email list, and send her a membership form. • Follow up with a reminder to join either by phone or email. • When she comes to a meeting…

Words 1900 - Pages 8

National Panhellenic Council Case Study

Panhellenic Council endorsed Membership Intake Process is the Council taking a stand. It’s the NPHC way of saying, something must be done after an overwhelming increase in individuals becoming seriously injured or killed, due to hazing. They voted to change the pledge process, after a lot of money was spent on law suits. The council said the word “pledge” and hazing is illegal. MIP this is the process each Greek chapter use to bring new members into the organization; a time for potential members to…

Words 511 - Pages 3

Nationalist Movement Essay

revolted and started their own revolutions in aim to change their government and society. All over the world, they shunned and fought their tyrannical and selfish governments and sought better more just ones. All of this was driven by nationalist thoughts to live equally, come together and live freely. The Nationalist Movements impacted Latin American and European nations and caused them to uphold the ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity. The 1800s withheld many nationalist movements, each…

Words 1055 - Pages 5