Greeks say stereotypes don't tell whole story

Brotherhood and sisterhood aren't the only terms associated with UNC's Greek system.

A column that ran Aug. 30 in The Daily Tar Heel brought forth stereotypes and negative claims against the recruitment process.

Especially during recruitment, members of the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council strive to show others the meaning of their organizations.

But leaders say they first have to dispel preconceived notions.

"Fraternities and sororities have an elitist nature," says IFC President Tom Merrihew.

But, he says, that elite mentality mostly is true in that the system is selective in choosing its members.

"That's where a lot of stereotypes stem from," Merrihew says.

About 15 percent of UNC's undergraduate population belongs to a Greek organization, of which there are more than 50, organized into four councils.

"We're small," Merrihew says. "We're not any big percentage of the school."

Counting perceptions

You've probably heard many of the common claims: phrases that label Greek members as party-crazy, designer-wearing, wealthy individuals who pay for their friends.

Those are just a few descriptions Panhellenic President Kit MacLean has heard.

"In terms of the image of a sorority girl, I think there definitely is a stereotype," she says. "And that very much is like Reese Witherspoon in 'Legally Blonde.'"

But, she says, those attributes aren't always true. "You can't say that (almost) 2,000 women are materialistic," she says.

Rainbow flip-flops, Croakies, New Balance shoes and shaggy hair are what most people hold as the image of fraternity men, Merrihew says.

He says most fraternity brothers dress alike because they often have the same taste. "Clothing is just clothing," Merrihew says. "I wear my polo shirt and New Balance shoes."

MacLean says she also hears tales that potential members must be wealthy to join a chapter.

"How much money someone has ... really has no connection with whether or not they're in a sorority," she says.

The average cost of joining a fraternity or sorority (living out of the house) is about $1,600 per semester, which includes meals, local and national dues, liability insurance, socials and other costs. Some chapters without houses ask for about $500 for dues per semester.

Alcohol also pervades discussions about the Greek community, officials say.

"There is truth to the fact that a certain part of Greek life is social life," Merrihew says.

Mixers with fraternity and sorority members are popular functions often hosted by Greek houses.

But Merrihew says that people only pay attention to those activities rather than service-related ones.

"People just notice that more often," he says. "It's not something that we're going to discount."

More than a Greek letter

Greek recruitment officers often have to answer questions about the role of fraternities and sororities.

"(Fraternities and sororities) make the education complete," says Jon Williamson, executive vice president of the North American Interfraternity Conference.

"They form these friendships. They form these bonds that bring people back to campus. They form those great memories. They identify the importance of learning to live and get along with individuals."

According to a pamphlet distributed by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Greek organizations emphasize four principles: scholarship, community service, campus involvement and sisterhood or brotherhood.

Besides providing a peer support group, fraternities and sororities each have philanthropy projects. Groups volunteer, donate items or hold events and fundraisers.

"We provide thousands of volunteer service hours in communities around the world," says Martha Brown, chairwoman of the National Panhellenic Conference.

MacLean agrees. "Service is an integral part of being in a Panhellenic Conference sorority on campus," she says. "Greeks assume that everyone knows that, but not everyone knows that."

In terms of academics, each chapter must have a collective semester and cumulative GPA of 2.5.

"There was a belief that Greeks lost their emphasis on academics," Williamson says. "What we know is that is not an accurate statement."

The organizations provide leadership and community involvement.

Merrihew says he's learned a great deal about leadership from his position as IFC president. "I am just an ambitious person and the Greek system has allowed me to keep moving forward," he says.

While the most common stereotypes have existed for decades, leaders say putting the facts on the table might help combat misconceptions.

"My biggest platform is to increase diversity in sororities," MacLean says. She says she wants people to feel welcome in the Greek system regardless of their ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status or interests.

Both MacLean and Merrihew say it's hard to tell whether the stereotypes will disappear, but they hope that action and dialogue will help to better define the role of the Greek system on campus.

"Everyone doesn't have to be pro-Greek," Merrihew says. "Just give us the credit we deserve and try to break down the barrier."

 

Contact the Features Editor at features@unc.edu.