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The “girls in pearls and guys in ties” stereotype doesn’t wholeheartedly fit the Virginia Tech Greek community. While outsiders may see the campus chapters as shallow, vapid creatures, which pay for friends and drink until dawn, I can assure you most of us are deeper than our Lily prints may imply.
The idea that sorority women and fraternity men do nothing more than party and drink alcohol is a misconception.
Panhellenic Council ensures campus organizations uphold the motto of Tech: "That I May Serve."
Campus sororities and fraternities raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to give to philanthropic causes and donate their time toward service, both in the community and in more remote parts of the world.
During the recruitment process for campus women, a philanthropy round is included wherein sororities can showcase their noble causes.
Positive contribution to society is a major aspect of the Tech campus and all of its organizations are expected to embody the same values. Greek life on campus strives to instill altruistic ideals in all its members and participation in Greeks Giving Back and Relay for Life are two major events that promote service.
The picture of the average Greek on campus is usually a fallacy, a delusion created by nonessential bias. The pristine, tall blonde in a sundress and pearls isn’t found in every house.
Women at Tech don’t draw on your unflattering areas with magic marker, fraternity men aren’t asked to rank the new girls, and large amounts of alcohol aren’t force-fed to you. While the women's recruitment process may seem harsh and judgemental, it is just an ancillary tool to place women in the chapter where they would best relate to their sisters. Sororities are genuinely about sisterhood, service and community; little regard is given to vain concepts and superficial conduct.
The reason anyone should join a Greek organization is to find a sense of family and comfort on such a large campus. Going Greek is a great opportunity for growth, friendship and self-betterment.
A version of this article appeared in the Jan 25 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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Pearls are really expensive, I never thought that was part of the stereotype. Don't sugarcoat it though.
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People don’t hate Greeks.
It's the stereotype they hate
Greek life makes up a small percentage of the VT population.
People really don't like Greeks when it comes to Homecoming and the farce that is Homecoming Court being shoved down our throats. The campaigning and money spent over what?
A popularity contest that comes full circle at the Homecoming football game.
Greek organizations do tout their philanthropy, volunteering, and community service.
Greek life is exclusive; a selective group of people.
This is reminiscent of clichés in high school i.e. jocks, cheerleaders, popular & cool kids etc.
Perpetuating vanity and conceitedness
Moral depravity and sexual promiscuity do take place among Greeks.
Hazing isn't a supposed to go on, but the initiation of pledges consists of what exactly?
What about Greek life organizations that were removed such as Delta Zeta?
What about the party scene at Oak Lane?
The clothing of frats and sororities are a representation
By wearing: a shirt with Greek letters; Rainbows and Sperry’s; polo shirts; suits & ties; cargo shorts; white pearls, etc. You’re conforming.
Some join Greek life to partake in a lifestyle. The partying, the drugs, the alcohol are a part of it.
The "family" to Greek life is the brothers and sisters.
If it's a “family” why pay to join?
What about the animosity towards a GDI?
You need outsiders to say you're a part of Greek life and they're not.
Always remember people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
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Someone is bitter they didn't get in. Everything you named goes on outside of Greek Life too, no one talks about it. Go to a Rugby Party, go to a Snowboard Club Party, go to a Hockey Team Party. Just go to a party in general. Alcohol, drugs, moral depravity, and sexual promiscuity is called COLLEGE.
By the way, a Bro wouldn't be caught dead in cargo shorts. If you are going to stereotype, get it right.
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> Alcohol, drugs, moral depravity, and sexual promiscuity is called COLLEGE.
Wrong. Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong. Please go away.
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The people that wrote this article do not have to live near pseudo Fraternity houses in neighborhoods near campus. Trash, noise, etc. Obviously some greeks are using off campus houses to get around alcohol restrictions in a very big way.
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OMG TRASH AND NOISE. FLOUTING ALCOHOL RESTRICTIONS. WHAT IS THIS, A COLLEGE TOWN. oh wait.
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Every commenter who wants to TROLLOLOL and make angry comments about everything Greek Life does seems to forget that they ARE IN COLLEGE AND EVERYONE DOES THIS STUFF.
Get off your high horse and stop trying to lynch Greek Life. You can't fix your own issues, so you lash out at the easiest targets.
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You miss the point, the Greeks claim they do not do anything related to sex and alcohol. Everyone else admits it :)
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I've never heard a greek blatantly deny that they are involved in such things. Most just have enough class/common sense not to flaunt it.
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Just to answer a few of your questions...delta zeta is a prime example of how seriously Virginia tech and the national organizations Greek life answers to take their policies. This chapter was removed for drinking, more specifically in their house. Which leads me to the "Oak Lane Party Scene," all of the sorority houses in Oak Lane are dry, and with sororities being the majority there really isn't much of a party scene. As for the "family" and "initiation" it sounds like you will, unfortunately, never be able to understand or experience this because of your ignorance views an close minded attitude.
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The greek party scene has moved out of Oak Lane into surrounding neighborhoods.
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Great article Kelsey!
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Methinks the lady doth protest too much.
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lol yeah I was about to say that I am about as unGreek as you can get and sometimes wear cargo shorts. For a second I thought something had changed!
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"Women at Tech don't draw on your unflattering areas with magic marker, fraternity men aren't asked to rank the new girls..."
Sure.
http://collegiateacb.com/schools/viewforum.php?f=96
LOL. Good one, Kelsey.
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I would like to ask that you remove your reference that Greek Life wears cargo shorts. This is quite untrue and you have proven even farther that you have no idea what you are talking about.
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Oh yeah because collegiateacb is run by greek life at Virginia Tech. You obviously did not get into greek life. Must be a sad life living on the outside looking in.
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Greekies are so insecure they flock to the CT to tell everyone how 'jealous' they are for not getting in. I guess if I couldn't form my own personal identity I'd scream to the world too 'LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT WHAT I BELONG TO'.
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So unbelievably true.
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It really is a simple formula.
Many, not all, but a large proportion of your sorority women are very pretty.
Men like pretty women. Sorority girls party with fraternity guys. Therefore, guys join fraternities to party with pretty girls.
It really isn't that difficult. If you don't like Greek life, then don't partake in it. However, I will without a doubt say the most fun in my life was my three years that I lived in the old Greek row on Oak Lane.
That is what we in the military like to call a "target rich environment."
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I go to an SEC school where Greek life is prevalent. I do not understand why Greek life is hated by anyone. What hindrance does it cause YOU personally if someone is in a fraternity? I don't care if you’re not in one. Why this animosity? I believe it is based on jealousy. It boils down to money. Many, not most so don't get upset, people associated with Greek life are generally wealthier than their non-Greek peers.
Philanthropies- Fraternities and sororities provide a lot of money and hours for philanthropies within their communities. This aspect gets played down too often. If your campus has 25 fraternities and they each raise 20k for their respective philanthropies that is a TON more than a single or even group of non-Greek members provides. We are proud of it and for people to say that it doesn't really matter is BS. What can YOU personally say you have provided for your community? A pair of skinny jeans and a ratty neck beard?
Homecoming- If it doesn't matter to you then why are you so mad? Who cares if people are voted for king/queen of homecoming. We bust our asses for homecoming every year but for competition among other fraternities. Don't be mad you aren't popular or attractive: as long as you're smart haha.
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exclusivity- It's called life. You are not equal to everyone on earth and neither am I. Deal with it kid. There is always someone richer, smart, better at everything than you. Being in exclusive groups is awesome: who doesn't want that? The working world is going to eat you alive if you don't change your perception about this.
Moral depravity and sexual promiscuity- Yup. And it happens everywhere else. It IS part of college. It's part of learning who you are as a person via dumb mistakes. I have been taught, and taught myself, many a life lesson from failure or disaster. It has made me a better person.
Clothing- The clothing you have described is known as business casual or formal. It is the type of clothing any young adult should wear. You think you can wear a v-neck with a hoodie and jeans to work? To an interview? If you wear that as a parent you'll look even more ridiculous. Expand your wardrobe and quit dressing like an idiot: you will be much more successful in life. Also, wearing letters shouldn't bother you. If I see some dude in a shirt with other letters on it I am not going to get upset that I don't get to wear that shirt too. That's pure jealousy. It's unbecoming.
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No one is else jealous.
Your snide comments and insults aside b/c again you Dan look down on those outside of Greek Life
You might want to be careful with your exclusivity point b/c it's pretty obvious you have that you can't relate to anyone outside of your own class, demographics & socioeconomic group and are more concern with continuing stereotypes. Being in an exclusive group is awesome? Like what a clan?
An oligarchy? Politicians? The wealthly?
Sounds like the 'good old boy' network
That way of life is under assault according to you?
Oh so you are from an SEC school?
Your Greek Life must put VT to shame /s
Or rather why is VT so beneath God-Gift-to-Earth THE SEC
A ton more money is raised by Greeks than non Greeks you say?
Honestly you lost me at you've made mistakes, we are all human
What mistakes have you made? If everything was handed to you?
The way you look; how much you make; etc. again Dan exclusivity has good been to you and people like you.
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Brotherhood- It is real. There are people you won't like in your Greek organization. However, many share your beliefs and likes and dislikes which is WHY you join that particular group in the first place. You do not pay FOR the friends; you pay for WHAT you do with them. Going to awesome places, having tons of alcohol at parties, having bands or DJ's, having tailgates: all of this is paid for by dues. If you and your friends hung out all the time and collectively pooled your money together to throw events or provide guests with entertainment, and put someone in charge of that operating budget, you would have a similar system as a fraternity. Don't be mad because you cannot pay, that you don't have enough people to collaborate with, or that you don't have a house (mansion) to hold these events at.
It is always interesting to hear people rag on Greek life for the same reasons perpetually. I hope I have shed light on some of these ambiguous issues for non-Greek Greek haters.
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When did this become about money? No one is envious of you because you have to defend Greek Life because you choose that lifestyle.
Oh and the brotherhood is there it is just as conceited and convoluted as you are.
Joining a particular group of people that share common likes and dislikes or beliefs about what exactly?
I do all of the things you just describe.
I just don't it under the guise of Greek Life.
I don't pretend to care about my community
then get __faced and raw dog some girl.
I don't spend money and don't need a Greek house as some sort of status symbol.
I don't raise money for money charity
then have wanted disrespect and ill regard for someone else property.
I don't do those things because I'm not Greek.
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I see your points. However, I can relate to people outside of my SES, race, religion etc. I don't solely have friends within Greek organizations. My point on the exclusivity was not solely for Greek life either. You could be in a band, in a club, a team, whatever. That sense of comradery and similarity feels good to have. I would assume that most people want something like that. Mine happens to be different than those, but I don't think that makes it bad.
The jealousy bit was more of a joke but what really is the problem? Why is it that Greek life is hated unlike the clubs or organizations I listed above? Is it just because of stereotypes from bad straight-to-DVD movies? Or do I truly stand for something that you, or someone, does not like? And do you not like it because it is unfair or seen as an obstacle? Perhaps you feel it's just an eye sore? I am still curious about this.
The SEC is an awesome conference to belong to. The schools are fun and the football is obviously much better than the rest of the country. I can't help my bias.
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What is wrong with being wealthy? Why does that offend you? Do you not want to become wealthy one day? I know I do. I never understood why people waste time on hating the wealthy and assuming they are without morals instead of rising to their level. Why not become wealthy and keep your personality and rewrite the stereotypes you think exist? There is nothing wrong with wealth. There is something wrong with jealousy though.
And why assume I have had everything handed to me? Even within my particular sphere there are very, very few people who actually fit this assumption. I will not deny that I am fortunate, and that my race and gender has awarded me with what some are already hindered from the start. I did not create that system though. And I also do not agree with it. But I can’t change what I am so I don't feel like I should be sorry about it.
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It seems to be about money still. If you do all the things I do but the only difference is that I pay money to do those things then why is it a big deal? Why does that offend you that I do the same activities as you under a house or letters? It shouldn't matter. It doesn't bother me that you do the same activities while not having these things.
You assume a lot. Why would you think I don't care about helping raise money for children with cancer? I don't see how this could ever be a bad thing. Even if someone didn't like children in general but they still donated money to their cause, how does this make them a bad person? They are still helping someone who needs it. And again, Greek organizations do this a lot. So again, why is this a bad thing? And how can you condemn the people who participate in these activities?
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I also don't see what getting drunk or having sex has to do with raising money for philanthropies? Why does it bother you that I do either of those things? It doesn't hurt my ability to get good grades or raise money for a good cause. I feel like that was an attempted low blow and completely out of context.
And what are you talking about regarding disrespect for people's property? I'm confused about this. Does being in Greek life correlate you to vandalism? So is Banksy in a fraternity that I didn't know about? lol. Can you elaborate on your previous comment pertaining to this?
I don't dislike people for not being in a fraternity. I am still confused as to why there are people who dislike other for BEING in a fraternity. And can you explain how I am conceited and/or convoluted in more detail please? Perhaps I am too conceited to even notice it. Or perhaps you were just throwing out insults instead of debating this topic: which is what the point of my original rant was.
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