What’s Greek Life?

What2019s Greek Life?

Fraternities and sororities are forms of organization present in many universities throughout the US. Fraternities are male or mixed-sex corporations, and sororities refer to all-women ones. Their names usually consist of two or three Greek letters, reason why frats and sororities are called 201CGreek life,201D and its members 201CGreeks.201D

What Do Greeks Do?

Fraternities are generally social organizations, based on loyalties among its members. Some have a more of community service, professional advancement, or scholastic achievement goal, although all of these are some of the characteristics that all fraternities have. In addition, many frats and sororities have philanthropic causes to which they destine their semester dues. Finally, fraternities and sororities through many parties and host social events on campus, this makes them even more attractive to join than any other organization or club.

Chapters of a Book?

Usually, frats are national or international organizations with chapters at individual schools. However, there are some, which do not belong to any organization, and those are called 201Clocal frats.201D

Controversial Membership Rules

Membership has always been a controversial matter; usually already existing members chose who gets in and does not. Membership is restricted to students with a certain religion, national origin, economic strata, race, or physical appearance. Although schools are starting to put bans on these restrictions, frats still use these parameters to distinguish themselves from other fraternities and from the general student body.

Secrets, Symbols, and More Secrets2026

Many fraternities and sororities have different rituals that the keep alive as traditions. Most have initiation ceremonies and rituals, passwords, handshakes, songs, and ways of interacting and meeting. All of these shall not be shared or told to any person who is not a member. These shall all remain SECRET.

The letters composing the name could also have a meaning, only known by those initiated. Additionally, they all have symbols of identification: a specific color or flower, a badge, a pin, seal, and/or crest. However, what they are most known for is their 201Csecret motto,201D which expresses their ideals and ideology by which they 201Cfly.201D

T-shirts, Sweatshirts & Panties

All fraternities and sororities use t-shirts, pants, sweatshirts, key chains, hats, panties and any other kind of artifact that could say the name of their frat on them. This helps them to be recognized by all people in the school, as active members of their specific frat. Seniors may pass some of these artifacts down to the new members, as a way of recognizing and legitimizing their membership.

Rush & Pledge

Students who decide to join a fraternity or sorority are recruited during 201Crush week,201D a week of activities and events in order for members and potential members to get to know each other. By the end of this week, frats and sororities give 201Cbids201D or invitation to join their organization to those who have met membership requirements. Candidates then, go through a process of 201Cpledging201D before gaining full membership. Upon completing this pledging process, active members initiate the pledges and so that they can become full members.

Hazing

Hazing is defined as the ritualistic harassment that pledges suffer during pledging, by the active members of sororities or fraternities. Many schools have banned frats for this reason. Any student that has been victim of hazing should come forward and express it, since it is nationally banned to harass anyone, regardless of the objectives pursued.