Students disagree on Greek contributions to campus

She Said
by Jami McManama

In the recent year, television, radio and newspapers have been harping on the faults of Greek life. Not only has the news turned the issue into a feeding frenzy, but there have been several made-for-TV movies on the subject.

Unfortunately, all of these have shown Greek life in a negative light. As a result, more and more people have been turned off to the prospect of joining a fraternity or sorority. Such sentiment has affected the Greek organizations on this campus as well.

There are three national sororities at VWC: Sigma Sigma Sigma, Alpha Sigma Alpha and Phi Sigma Sigma. I believe all the organizations would love to take a stand and say there is more to them than meets the eye.

I belong to Phi Sigma Sigma, an international sorority. We aren’t just a bunch of girls locked up on North Hall who spend 90% of our time drinking and skipping class.

In fact, all of upstairs North Hall is dry (alcohol is not permitted for any reason on the sorority hall) because it is a national rule. In addition, our sisters must keep their grades up in order to remain active in the sorority.

Each year Phi Sigma Sigma holds two Rock-a-thons in order to donate money to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF). NKF is our philanthropy project and we spend quite a bit of time and energy making sure that a hefty sum of money goes to them every year.

We also spend time doing other philanthropic activities. We visit hospitals, donate time to other charities and throw Christmas parties for sick children. Why? Because we care.

In spite of what other people think, we continue to participate in these things because we want to, not because we have to. We also care a great deal about each other. I have made many new friends and will miss them when I graduate. I know that I will always have someone who will lend me a shoulder to cry on when I have a bad day. This is important to me.

I’m tired of people making fun of what I do. I just want to say, “Don’t knock it until you try it.” How can anyone make an accusation unless they have been an active member of Greek life? So come on, give us a try. You’re really missing something: friendship, fellowship and sisterhood. We stand for a whole lot more than people realize.

He said
by Brian O'Neil

“If you join our fraternity, you can come to the social Friday night with Alpha Sigma Alpha (ASA).” This was said to me by a fraternity brother who shall remain nameless.

Why would I have to join a fraternity if I want to hang out with ASA? I don’t understand why fraternities and sororities have to hang out only with certain fraternities and sororities in order for Greek life to be happy. I wouldn’t want someone telling me with whom I should or shouldn’t spend my time.

I also don’t understand the money part of the equation. Why does the fraternity/sorority make you pay them for the privilege of hanging out with people? Are you really getting something out of it, or are you just paying for friends? I have heard that after you graduate, you also have to pay alumni dues. What? You’ve graduated and are really no longer in contact with most of your brothers/sisters, but you still have to pay?

I really don’t understand all the bickering recently between the sororities on this campus, either. The chalked sidewalks. The slurring of each other after Singled Out. The comments on the rush posters. How can a sorority pride itself on making better women of its members when they continue to verbally attack each other?

In the last issue of the Marlin Chronicle, Tom Duffy said, “One reason that frats were put on this planet was for social reasons which include parties and alcohol.” Although Mr. Duffy may have a point, why do sororities and fraternities that pride themselves on brotherhood/sisterhood have most of the drinking problems on campus? Anyone that has a two-room suite and decides to put the bunk beds in one room and make a bar in the other one doesn’t seem to have a serious study agenda.

And what about this rush thing? I don’t see how it is possible for people to decide if they like you or not in a week’s time. My family has known me my whole life and they still aren’t sure if they like me.

Maybe we should redefine the terms “brotherhood” and “sisterhood.” Do these terms mean someone who will embarrass you for life when you are a pledge, make you get so drunk you don’t remember anything, and hold your head above the toilet as you pray to the porcelain god? Yeah, that really sounds like friendship to me.