Greek life on campus, is it just a party?

Independent Forrest Minteer says joining a fraternity is an investment of time and money, and that should be considered in the decision

“I would tell them to weigh their options, look where they are financially, how much money they bring in on a regular basis cause it’s not easy to have a job and go to school and a fraternity is an investment, you pay for your time there, you have to, that’s a part of it, your grades you have to be able to balance that social aspect of your life and your schooling. And it is a big social aspect, there are requirements you have to be places you have to do things, you don’t have to party but there are parties that you pretty much have to go to. It takes up your nights, weekends and weekdays.  Look where they are as a person. if you feel that you need that outlet to meet new people, I think it’s important especially in the years you spend in college its vastly important to meet new people, to socialize, to try new things, and a fraternity is a wonderful outlet for that it’s fantastic. But if you’re the type of person that doesn’t feel they need that then maybe it’s not for you.”

Caitie Fleckenstein says the biggest factor in deciding to go Greek or not is knowing what sororities and fraternities are really about.

“It’s about explaining so much more about what we do as a sisterhood the things we put our time and effort into,” Fleckenstein said, “The fact that we just go over to Shenango home and play bingo that we get together on the weekends and just have sisterhood events and stick together and try to make a difference with as many people as we possibly can. I think an explanation of that could really change people’s minds.”

So what have I learned from all this?  Is it any clearer to me why people join Greek organizations, and why people do not?  I found that the independents I interviewed did not feel left out from not being in a fraternity or sorority.  I found that the Greeks I interviewed were passionate about their organization and never second guessed their decision to join.  However I did find that the independents had second guessed themselves at one point or another for not joining.  One of the independents I interviewed went as far as to pledge, then drop out.  So what's the draw to these Greek organizations?  Is it the brotherhood and sisterhood they provide?  Is it the life experiences?  Or is it the party scene?  After all of my interviews, I think the answer is a little bit of all three.  On the campus of Westminster College, I'm James McCallion.