Myth-Busters series seeks to debunk stereotypes

Student government kicked off its Myth-Busters Series Monday night with a discussion on the misconceptions of Greek life.

About 20 women, all members of UNC sororities, attended the event in the Campus Y to discuss the Greek community’s evolving relationship with the University along with the stereotypes they encounter as members of fraternities and sororities.

One attendant said sorority girls are stereotyped as “daffy,” upper-class and superficial. She said these stereotypes are defied by sorority members every day.

Sophomore Blair Stevens, a member of the UNC chapter of Kappa Delta, said some of these stereotypes result from a lack of positive publicity.

“I don’t think we get publicity for all that we do,” Stevens said. “Kappa Delta raised over $50,000 at the Shamrock n’ Run event.”

Led by Sumaiya Sarwar, co-chairwoman of the Myth-Busters Series Committee, the discussion also addressed the factors that attracted UNC students to the Greek community.

Because UNC is so large, joining a chapter is a way for students to get involved at UNC, said one student. Some participants said Greeks are not part of a “cult,” but rather are closely involved with the community.

Stevens said the scrutiny applied to issues related to alcohol and drug use has created a misrepresentation of Greek life.

“The social aspects are a very small part,” she said.

The Myth-Busters Series, part of Student Body President Jasmin Jones’ diversity platform, wraps up Thursday with the program “He, She and Ze?,” which will look at the role of the gender binary in participants’ lives. The event will be held in the Campus Y at 6 p.m.

The discussion will be facilitated by Terri Phoenix and Danny Depuy from the LGBTQ Center.

There will also be an event in the Pit from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. that will introduce the idea of the gender binary. The Pit event will include a display about the gender binary and various activities.

“The purpose of the Myth-Busters Series is to start discussion about different issues,” Sarwar said “The idea is to create an environment where people feel safe to have those discussions.”

The Myth-Busters Series was originally intended as a month-long event, but was compressed to a week following planning problems.

“I think it’s a great way to dispel those myths that do exist. It’s an exciting way to educate the university about these issues,” said Terri Houston, director for Recruitment and Multicultural Programs in the Office of Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. The co-chairmen of the committee consulted with Houston during the planning stages of the series.

The events are free and open to the public.



Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.