Fraternities and sororities - what is the point to them?

[PricklyPete]

parties and events aren't free dude

I didn't mean it in a bad way. I was pointing out that it is no different than the clubs, groups, churches, etc that people join and contribute to all through life. There are certainly plenty of positives (like connections, parties, etc that have already been alluded to) and negatives (being associated with a group that may not represent you as an individual, etc).

 

[SonnyDaze]

well, someone's gotta fuck all those hooved mammals, I guess.

 

[Phokus]

You don't need to be in a frat to use alumni connections. I got my first tech job by cold calling a fellow alumni who was a VP at a major tech company.

But frats would extend your connections though, wouldn't it? Wouldn't an ATO member from school A help out an ATO member from school b?

 

[DanDaManJC]

The difference is professional societies don't throw 8 keg parties during rush.




Just depends on what you're looking for.

yeah, no argument there

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I haven't read the thread, but you're basicly paying for friends/connections/parties.

 

[Ika]

But frats would extend your connections though, wouldn't it? Wouldn't an ATO member from school A help out an ATO member from school b?

It certainly wouldn't hurt. It also gives you some kind of icebreaker if you need to chat it up with a bigwig or something.

 

[Canun]

While in school:

Organized huge parties
Lots of socializing
Great for dragging you out of the dorm room and playing Rec sports with a team
Access to hoards of knowledge about classes and subjects.
Mandatory GPAs and study hours
A good reason to visit other universities. (parties, sports, place to crash)

Out of school:

Great connections
Ability to recognize and meet new people from all over with a common bond
Good reason to head back to school and watch your university's sports teams. (always have a place to crash)


Downsides:
Expensive
Tons of peer pressure
They keep bugging you forever to contribute to their endowment or scholarship funds.

 

[Fox5]

I went to a small school, and as far as I can tell, frats were worthless other than picking up chicks, and they weren't even that great for that. However, if you wanted to get high, they were great for that.

 

[MotionMan]

Wow. A lot less Greek-bashing than I expected (so far).

Being in a fraternity was a generally positive experience for me. It is not for everyone and I do not begrudge those who decide not to join one.

MotionMan

 

[chedrz]

I had a relatively positive experience while active in my fraternity. Sure weekends were crazy, but if you're at a university and not finding a party on a weekend, that's your own damn fault.

I joined initially because it was actually cheaper to live in a fraternity than it was to live in campus housing and buy a meal plan. It also provided instant socialization networks and study hours/mandatory GPA requirements, which is great for any freshman entering college. It provided accountability. It also taught responsibility, particularly when managing a multi-hundred thousand dollar budget and dealing with 50+ different individuals living under one roof.

Also, networking is HUGE. I'm sure networking exists for other organizations as well, but it's just another easy way of getting your name out and finding a job.

 

[MotionMan]

Also, as a side-effect, the Greek system helps keep students out of cults.

MotionMan

 

[Kirby]

Not sure about other schools, but it seems to be rich kids who like to coordinate how they dress. I'm no fan at my school, they control too many things, and that sometimes leaks into state issues. Forcing members to vote for certain candidates in SGA and homecoming are common. Hazing was an issue in the past, not sure now. They have huge parties, but it's not my crowd.

The Machine

 

[sactoking]

Also, as a side-effect, the Greek system helps keep students out of cults.

MotionMan

cult   /kʌlt/ Show Spelled[kuhlt] Show IPA
–noun
1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology . a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
7. the members of such a religion or sect.
8. any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.

Or maybe, the Greek system IS a cult...

 

[preCRT]

Go rent the movie Old School.

No, go rent the movie Animal House.

 

[zinfamous]

Also, as a side-effect, the Greek system helps keep students out of cults.

MotionMan

:hmm:

 

[chedrz]

Not sure about other schools, but it seems to be rich kids who like to coordinate how they dress.

There are definitely some rich kids in some fraternities at my school, but most are just average income students. I live with a single parent who's a teacher, so my family isn't exactly rolling in dough. Some other guys have parents that never graduated high school. Of course a few come from loaded families, but that's no different from any other college residence setting.

 

[IronWing]

I've reviewed maybe a hundred resumes for professional positions requiring college degrees. Not one applicant ever put down that they were in a frat/sorority on their resume. Doesn't seem to be something folks try to advertise once out of school.

 

[imported_Champ]

For me it was a place to live that was the most important factor, it was the cheapest rent around.

Two years later I'm president which isn't bad, Its a lot of work and does look good on my resume, to organize a group that raises over $10,000 for charities each year, and puts in nearly 1000 volunteer hours.

There are also a lot of alumni out there willing to help, without that I would not have been exposed to activites I didn't know I could have an interest in.

Parties aren't bad either

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I would consider joining a frat if I didnt have to pay dues.

 

[moshquerade]

I would consider joining a frat if I didnt have to pay dues.

start your own then. :sneaky:

 

[oddyager]

Well everyone has already stated what fraternities/sororities are and the benefits of joining one. That said, not all of them are alike and you'll find each house has different cultures/traditions.

 

[ScottyB]

A fraternity is an organization whereby douche bags pay money to associate with other douche bags. These are the type of people that correct others when they say "frat" instead of "fraternity."

 

[MotionMan]

A fraternity is an organization whereby douche bags pay money to associate with other douche bags. These are the type of people that correct others when they say "frat" instead of "fraternity."

THAT was more of what I was expecting from this thread.

Thank you.

MotionMan

 

[ScottyB]

THAT was more of what I was expecting from this thread.

Thank you.

MotionMan

You're very welcome.

 

[cheezy321]

Wah wah wah wah wah wah....i am crying and nobody cares

Fixed that for ya