2008 Woodie Awards
BG Mythbusters: Frat Guy
By: Tannen Gliatta
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Pulse
When many people think of a fraternity member, the image that may come to mind is a bulking 20-something guy with a beer in his hand, slurring his words as he shouts out his fraternity's motto to anyone who will listen.
But are fraternity members really those stereotypical guys that have been shown in the media since "Animal House" and "Old School"?
"A lot of people think we are just a drinking club and womanizers who only care about ourselves," said John Sideris, a founding member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. "But we are not a drinking club, we are gentlemen and we strive to always be gentlemen."
Members of fraternities pride themselves in much more than their alcohol tolerance level, like some people believe. Members often focus on academics, helping the community and preparing for the future.
"We are actually good students, most Greeks have a better GPA than non-Greek students," Sideris said.
To ensure members hit the books more than the bottle, the University requires that all members of the 19 fraternities on campus maintain a 2.5 GPA.
Like all Greek organizations on campus, Sigma Alpha Epsilon partakes in various community outreach programs. The fraternity is currently raising money for Camp Fire USA, a camp for underprivileged children. This year SAE has also held a food drive, raised money for a family at Christmas and in April, they will be painting houses in Toledo.
According to the University's Web site, last year the University's Greek fraternities and sororities raised a total of $54,891 for charity and participated in 49,108 hours of community service.
While members of a fraternity help the community, the fraternity can also help its other members. Members meet other "brothers" with common interests, creating friendships that continue long after college graduation.
"For me personally, SAE has completely changed my life," Sideris said. "It has taught me business and gave me friendships for life."
But to create those lifelong friendships a person must be a member of a fraternity or sorority, because Greeks only socialize with other Greeks, right? That may have been true in the past, but not necessarily anymore.
"We are forming socials with non Greeks, like with the volleyball team," Sideris said. "That is our goal for next year, to socialize outside the Greek community."
But with all the benefits that being in a fraternity offers, the image of the drunken frat guy chugging a beer on a Wednesday afternoon remains.
"I think people have a skewed view of Greek life because they don't take the time to learn," Sideris said. "There is nothing negative about it."
Myth 1
Greek chapters encourage binge drinking and drug abuse
-Every chapter is required to follow headquarters policies regarding alcohol and drugs. Most chapters are substance free in the common areas. Greek chapters are constantly in the spotlight, therefore magnifying the presence of drugs and alcohol in Greek life.
Myth 2
Fraternities are just as they appear on television and in movies
-Many movies and shows display the "wild side" of Greek life by amplifying its "horrors". Only focusing on those characteristics neglects the beneficial sides of joining a chapter.
Myth 3
Hazing is simply a reality among chapters
-All Greek chapters at the University must follow the Greek Affairs' strict policies on hazing, which is defined as "people or individuals who are forced to do something that is psychologically, physically or emotionally harmful or damaging." Across the nation, policies are being developed to get rid of hazing in all its forms on every campus.
But are fraternity members really those stereotypical guys that have been shown in the media since "Animal House" and "Old School"?
"A lot of people think we are just a drinking club and womanizers who only care about ourselves," said John Sideris, a founding member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. "But we are not a drinking club, we are gentlemen and we strive to always be gentlemen."
Members of fraternities pride themselves in much more than their alcohol tolerance level, like some people believe. Members often focus on academics, helping the community and preparing for the future.
"We are actually good students, most Greeks have a better GPA than non-Greek students," Sideris said.
To ensure members hit the books more than the bottle, the University requires that all members of the 19 fraternities on campus maintain a 2.5 GPA.
Like all Greek organizations on campus, Sigma Alpha Epsilon partakes in various community outreach programs. The fraternity is currently raising money for Camp Fire USA, a camp for underprivileged children. This year SAE has also held a food drive, raised money for a family at Christmas and in April, they will be painting houses in Toledo.
According to the University's Web site, last year the University's Greek fraternities and sororities raised a total of $54,891 for charity and participated in 49,108 hours of community service.
While members of a fraternity help the community, the fraternity can also help its other members. Members meet other "brothers" with common interests, creating friendships that continue long after college graduation.
"For me personally, SAE has completely changed my life," Sideris said. "It has taught me business and gave me friendships for life."
But to create those lifelong friendships a person must be a member of a fraternity or sorority, because Greeks only socialize with other Greeks, right? That may have been true in the past, but not necessarily anymore.
"We are forming socials with non Greeks, like with the volleyball team," Sideris said. "That is our goal for next year, to socialize outside the Greek community."
But with all the benefits that being in a fraternity offers, the image of the drunken frat guy chugging a beer on a Wednesday afternoon remains.
"I think people have a skewed view of Greek life because they don't take the time to learn," Sideris said. "There is nothing negative about it."
Myth 1
Greek chapters encourage binge drinking and drug abuse
-Every chapter is required to follow headquarters policies regarding alcohol and drugs. Most chapters are substance free in the common areas. Greek chapters are constantly in the spotlight, therefore magnifying the presence of drugs and alcohol in Greek life.
Myth 2
Fraternities are just as they appear on television and in movies
-Many movies and shows display the "wild side" of Greek life by amplifying its "horrors". Only focusing on those characteristics neglects the beneficial sides of joining a chapter.
Myth 3
Hazing is simply a reality among chapters
-All Greek chapters at the University must follow the Greek Affairs' strict policies on hazing, which is defined as "people or individuals who are forced to do something that is psychologically, physically or emotionally harmful or damaging." Across the nation, policies are being developed to get rid of hazing in all its forms on every campus.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
M
posted 4/04/08 @ 4:47 PM EST
THANK YOU FOR THIS ARTICLE! Though I'm sure it won't stop the atypical college student from bashing Greek life, it is about time that someone took a logical view of the Greek student. (Continued…)
Dick Adams
posted 4/04/08 @ 4:51 PM EST
Tannen:
Thank you for you positive article about fraternies at BGSU and your careful attention to facts. Your accurate and responsible reporting of facts, and dispelling myths about fraternities encourages us all that you your generation indeed is creating a legacy for all who attend BGSU. (Continued…)
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