A fraternity, as defined by The American Heritage Dictionary is a
chiefly social corporation of men college students, usually designated simply by
Greek letters. (pg. 523) This explanation, however , is very limited and leaves
a good amount of space to get short sighted people to believe that the belief conveyed by simply
the popular mass media, where fraternity members are depicted as drunks who also
accomplish nothing at all either scholastically or socially. Unfortunately, equally this
explanation and multimedia portrayals fail to mention the simple fact that membership in a
fraternity is a life-long experience in order to its members develop interpersonal
organizational, and study expertise during university, and that teaches true
timeless friendship. To tell the truth, fraternities possess a long
traditions of high educational achievement, and many of our nations around the world presidents
were members of your Greek association.
According to Irving Klepper, the 1st fraternity (Phi Beta Kappa) was
founded for cultural and fictional purposes in the College of William and Mary
in Williamsburg, Virginia on January 5th 1776. After a split century of
existence, it has become and provides since continued to be a scholarship or grant honor culture.
Throughout the nineteenth century, brand new fraternities had been founded, but none
of the were permanent. Then, in 1825, the Kappa First Fraternity (now Kappa
First Society) was developed at Union College. Couple of years later, Sigma Phi and Delta
Phi had been founded at the same university, constituting the so-called Union
Triad that was, in a significant measure, the pattern pertaining to the American Fraternity
program. By the end from the nineteenth century there were more than thirty general
fraternities through this country (pg. 18).
Present day fraternities still have all the features and precepts of
the their previous fraternities: the charm and mystery of secrecy, a ritual, oaths
of fidelity, a proper grip, a slogan, a marker, a qualifications of high idealism, a strong
connect of companionship and comradeship, and urge for posting its ideals through
countrywide expansion. (Klepper pg. 18) In addition , todays fraternities help
their associates develop a large number of skills that are used in and out of college.
During account in a fraternity, one need to learn command skills
because the chapter has to be run in a business-like manner and because it
embraces several offices (President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Scribe
and so forth. ) which can be held by simply its members. These office buildings closely appear like the ones
of real organization. Additionally , as membership within a fraternity is viewed as a
superb achievement by simply other Greek associations people, every sibling must be
in a position to uphold that office without notice.
Organization is a must for every member of a fraternity. Fund bringing up
activities and community assistance always have a high priority in every chapter
and member is required to organize and take part in many of these
activities as being a pledge, a brother and an alumnus. This helps individuals
within the group to develop organization and organizing. In addition , considering that the
fraternity might be located in a home, each close friend must find out household
firm for his brothers well-being.
Fraternities will be famous for their particular energetic sociable gatherings (parties)
which require all of their members to be socially active and outspoken once
the event calls for it. This helps fraternity members develop very strong
sociable skills. Since the act of just one member shows over the works of all the
other folks, self-control and awareness of activities are obligatory. In addition , the moment
the friends live in fraternity houses, this kind of adds to the progress social
abilities in the way which a member has to be able to deal and experience different
kinds of people in various situations.
Since there are people of different scholastic levels within a fraternity
the member of the fraternity use a great deal of knowledge on a large number of
different school subjects. It really is normal intended for fraternities to arrange study
groups regularly during the school season and especially just before exams.
Additionally , members may also use the judgment and suggestions of other
members about the faculty in their benefit, and most fraternities keep test files
and other such study aids readily available for the benefit of their very own members. The majority of
fraternity associates are also permitted receive a a few different
scholarships and awards depending on academic superiority, leadership, and private
achievement which can contribute to both the resume plus the self-esteem in the
person obtaining such an honor.
Fraternities are well known for their support toward their
community. In fact , aside from the usual, chapter-run projects, many chapters
need their associate members to arrange and participate in their own
community service job before they might be initiated in full regular membership.
This helps the fraternity to enhance their photo, increase their popularity
and their users awareness toward the community.
Pretty for some fraternity members to remain active after
graduating from school. In this way they will help the phase in many ways
and especially as expert of the real world. It is also a good
experience to get the graduate member, who will be able to keep in touch with
the brand new and aged members of his chapter. As Sidney S. Suntag wrote I know of
simply no better way to keep young than to associate with young people(pg. 15).
Whether or not some people are not able to continue to be active, the chapter can
always rely on them, considering that the spirit of fraternal brotherhood never dead. It
frequently occurs for fraternities to build their houses and fund their very own activities with
the support of their alumni. The number of alumni for a provided fraternity in
any metropolitan area can vary from a number of dozen to several thousand.
But the most important surprise a fraternity can offer is actually a true and
everlasting friendship that goes beyond the normal you possess between close friends and
connections them with each other as friends for life. It is something simply no other corporation
can offer, and the bond that may be formed between fraternity siblings is felt
throughout the whole organization and not simply local chapters. This points out
why, the moment greeks of the same fraternity meet is seemed a reunion between
bloodstream brothers.
Evidently, a feeling of comradeship is present not only within every
fraternity, but between all of the members of Greek businesses. This can
only lead to great relations while using Greek community of a college or
school, which is usually fairly numerous at individuals institutions which have
Greek businesses.
As Brian Abramson set by his interview, If you look at any Greek
corporation at Florida International College or university, or any various other College or
University, you can find a catalogue of services which will that business
provides for the main benefit of the greater community through the services projects
which usually it performs every session. Tau Epsilon Phi, for example , participates
in Bowling for childrens Sake every single Spring, a tradition which started several years
ago. Every fraternity has its own particular philanthropy, as well as other
public assistance projects which in turn that fraternity takes part in from time to time.
In fact , cooperating in public support not only offers the members with the
brotherhood with valuable contacts in the community, it also serves to
strengthen the bonds of brotherhood which will hold the users together.
To keep true to the feeling of brotherhood in a fraternity, every
affiliate must be trustworthy and at the same time has to be able to trust every
additional member helping to make the bond of brotherhood even more powerful. Unfortunately
many people overlook fraternities during school because of the ominous
ever-present gossip about hazing. This graphic is also part of the popular
stereotype of fraternity members.
Hazing, as identified by the Fraternity Executive Affiliation is Any kind of
action considered or circumstance created, purposely, whether upon or away fraternity
building to produce mental, or physical distress, embarrassment, nuisance
or ridicule. (pg. 48) As John P. Nykolaiszyn puts it, If anyone is trapped
hazing, not simply can aigu? be imposed upon the individuals, yet conviction and
even jail time could end result. Organizations which practice hazing also manage the
risk of losing their charter and being sealed down.
While Mr. Nykolaiszyn states in his letter towards the editor, While some
organizations may choose to haze and humiliate the people who make an effort to rush all of them
that is suggests an accurate characterization of all Greeks. He goes on to point
out your fact that, Greek life is not simply about football and drinking. Greek
life helps to build character, self-esteem and long term friendships. (12) It
should indeed be very unhappy that many individuals are stuck with the dog House perspective of
fraternities and avoid looking into what fraternities are really everything regarding.
Works Offered
Abramson, Brian D. Personal Interview. one particular Apr. mil novecentos e noventa e seis. Fraternity Executives
Association Declaration of situation on Hazing and Pre-initiation Activities The
portals of Tau Epsilon Phi Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity, Inc. Atlanta, Georgia
1937
Klepper, Irving The portals of Tau Epsilon Phi Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity, Incorporation.
Atlanta, Georgia 1937
Morris, William, education. The American Heritage Dictionary of the The english language Language.
Houghton Mifflin Firm, Boston, Massachusetts 1982
Nykolaiszyn, John P. Hazing: Greeks get a awful rap. The Beacon February. 13th mil novecentos e noventa e seis:
12.
Category: English