The American Collegiate Fraternity System — commonly known as “Greek life” — is more than 234 years old. And, as recent news at our university has revealed, fraternities and sororities — just as other institutions — have their faults, weaknesses and rotten apples. But these recent blemishes have been the result of poor direction and senseless judgment rather than fraternity and sorority life’s underlying principles.
Each year, thousands of young men and women join fraternities and sororities looking for lifelong friendships that are at the core of all such organizations. And beyond the seemingly simple concept of brotherhood and sisterhood, the founders of these organizations sought to embolden future generations to push themselves to become better people and bring young men and women together through values-based development. While each organization is unique and pledges itself to various ideals and conceptions of self, each strives to provide its members with the ethos necessary to grapple with the complex issues and dilemmas they will face in college and beyond.
It is unfortunate that isolated incidents and allegations have marred the reputation of more than 50 organizations and thousands of students — including myself — who identify with a Greek letter organization at our university. The good deeds and positive effects fraternities and sororities have on the surrounding community are often overshadowed by the intolerable behavior of a few chapters or members. Although such behavior is not widely embraced, the media and entertainment industry exaggerate antiquated stereotypes and atypical circumstances that may have you think otherwise.
Consequently, those who affiliate with Greek organizations are held to achieve and sustain the highest ethical standards by this university and their national organizations to combat misguided and uncharacteristic depictions of fraternities and sororities. Most of the Greek organizations at this university consistently exceed these standards and offer unparalleled opportunities for social, intellectual and emotional development. The ideals imbued in fraternal organizations prepare budding men and women to assume positions of significant responsibility and provide the requisite skills to be productive members and future leaders of society.
All too often, the unique and positive impact Greek life has on students, alumni and this university is quickly forgotten and rarely discussed. In fact, just this past weekend, a significant number of fraternity and sorority members participated in Terp Thon, a dance marathon, to raise $138,629.44 — a new record for our university — for the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington. And this is just one example of how the Greek community, in partnership with the larger university community, has the potential to do incredible things.
Fraternities and sororities, just as any other human organization, are not perfect. Greek organizations are constantly under pressure to justify their standing in the community and combat negative attention. I believe the Greek community has much to gain from overcoming the errors made recently and avoiding their repetition. It must constantly strive to discover new ways to make a lasting impact at the university, develop its members into better people and learn from the poor decisions of a few. I have an everlasting faith that such change is possible and that everyone can grow from life’s experiences and challenges.
Ultimately, the purpose and mission of fraternal organizations is noble. I believe in their higher calling to create better men and women, but all Greeks must associate with that higher calling because, like it or not, fraternities and sororities will always hold themselves and be held to the highest principles and standards.
Andrew Steinberg is a senior criminology and criminal justice and government and politics major. He can be reached at steinberg at umdbk dot com.
