Running head: LITERATURE REVIEW

Literature Review
Sean McGinnis
University of Texas at El Paso
19 October 2014

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Abstract

In this lLiterature review we will talk about how fraternities at a university are different from the
fraternities you see in the movies. In this paper, we will have a conversation with the 18
resources that we found for a paper in the future. We asked at the beginning of the paper four
questions that will be helpful for use to answer the main question. Each resource that we had a
conversation with will answer the question we asked.

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Literature Review
Introduction
In the paper we will discuss the sources found for a future assignment. By using the
sources that were founded we will have a conversation to answer the question that were asked
(Vierra, 2014). The conversation that will describe what they are talking about, but also how they
will help the question, Does fraternities at UTEP act like the fraternities you see in the movies?
We can use many questions to answer the main questions, but some questions that would be
useful would be how fraternities benefit the community, are fraternities at University of Texas at
El Paso (UTEP) are active in the community, doeos fraternities at a university act like the
fraternities in the movies, and does the media acknowledge the positive or negative in the
community?.
Do Yyou Bbelieve Tthat Ffraternities at a Uuniversity Aare Llike the Ffraternities
in the Mmovies? Why?
Many people believe that fraternities act exactly the same as the ones you seen in the
movies, but most members in the fraternities would think differently. In this paragraph we will
talk to a recent University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) and Phi Delta Theta member Bernie
Terres. By conductingdoing this interview, Mr. Terres can answer any of these questions because
he was a part of the fraternity for five years, and knows the history very well. According to Mr.
Terres (2014), Fraternities are nothing like the fraternities you see in the movies like Animal
House. We hold each member to a high standard and to represent the fraternity well. We are
involved with the community in the Sun City and do many events in the city. Mr. Terres
believes that Phi Delta Theta and many fraternities across the United States are stereotyped to the
movies that involves with fraternities. Yes, we do party and drink, but we are nothing like the

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fraternities in the movies. We are a well-respected organization and take our academics serious
(Terres, 2014). Mr. Terres is a perfect example of how many members across the country would
feel about the difference between the organization and the movies. The members in each
organization are held to high standard and they do not want to be stereotyped like we see in the
movies.
When people enter college and when they hear about the Greek Life, they typically think
of them as a bunch of people whothat are there to party. Greek life stereotypes don't reflect
reality, by Kelsey Edelmann (2013). Typically people believe that fraternities and sororities just
party and do not care about anything in the community. Campus sororities and fraternities rise
hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to give to philanthropic causes and donate their time
toward service, both in the community and in more remote parts of the world (Edelmann, 2013,
para. 4). Some people believe that fraternities can be a positive thing for students because they
teach their members to be great leaders, but studentsyou would have to do research to see which
one would fit for themyou.
Typically, when peopleyou watch movies that have fraternities in them, they mostly have
white members to represent them, but they have different types of fraternities. An article from
Tthe UTEP Prospector is Get to Know UTEPs Black Greek Letter Organizations, by

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Kristopher Rivera (2013) informs the reader about the history of the African American Greek
Life. Back in the early 90s Black Greek Organization was founded, better known as the Divine
Nine. Many people during that time did not agree with the black Greek Letter because of the
racism that was happening, but that did not stop them from creating the organization:
It wasnt really in a discriminatory way. They originated at historically black colleges
and universities. You can just imagine that the racial climate was really different at that

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time. So thats how things started, but theyve grown and expanded into something much
larger. (Becerril, 2013, para. 3).
The three groups that are still around from the Divine Nine are the Alpha Kappa Alpha, Phi Beta
Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta. By starting a Black Greek fraternity it was not your typical fraternity
seen in the movies because the fraternities seen in the movies are not African American, but they
are usually white. They do hold every member to high standards like every other fraternity on
campus. If we pledge just anybody, its like we dont know who that person is If theyre
trouble makers, we dont want that reputation to reflect on us (Speights, 2013, para. 13). As
demonstratedyou bycan see the Divine Nine, the organization was an important part to the
movement, and like any other fraternity they hold their members to high standards, but they are
not the only organizationone that does not fit the stereotype.
Normally when studentsyou see fraternities in the movies theyyou see a bunch of guys
that try to hook up with girls, but this organization they does not follow the stereotype.
Progressive Fraternity Makes History by Breaking Stereotypes, by Joe Velarde (2010).
Normally when you think of a fraternity you think about a bunch of guys partying all the time
with drugs, alcohol, girls, and not carrying about school. According to Progressive Fraternity
Makes History by Breaking Stereotypes, by Joe Velarde (2010), aAll the fraternities and
sororities do not follow the stereotype, but this fraternity stands out the most because Delta
Lambda Phi, the Universitys first gay, bisexual and queer social fraternity (Velarde, 2010,
para. 2). When the fraternitiesy try to recruit members it did not work out so well, but it did not
stop them from being proud of their organization, and to be a part of the school function they
have. Delta Lambda Phi was placing first in the schools 2009 homecoming competition by
accumulating points in a series of events, such as lip synch, trivia and spirit( Velarde, 2010,

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para. 12). Not only do they do well in the competition, but in academia they are always in the top
three GPA out of the fraternities at UTEP. Delta Lambda Phi does not fit with the stereotype that
everyone is used to seeing in the movies. They were the first group to do something like this that
does not fit the normal fraternities you seen in the movies.
Are the Ffraternities at UTEP Mmore Aactive in the Ccommunity Tthen the
Ffraternities you see in the Mmovies Llike Animal House or The Neighbors?

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When peopleyou watch a movie that involves fraternities theyyou do not see them do any
community service for the community they live in. A way some fraternities gave back to the
community of El Paso was by participating in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. After reading the
article Men in Heels Walk around Downtown in Protest of Sexual Violence, by Aaron Montes
(2013), he talks about how four fraternities, Phi Delta Theta, Omega Delta Phi, Phi Beta Sigma,
and Alpha Kappa Lambda, were the fraternities that participated in the event. What Tthe Walk a
Mile in Her Shoes was a way to raise awareness about rape and violence that women have
experiencebeen through. We are supporting this cause because here in El Paso, a lot of women
encounter domestic and social problems You feel so bad because of the person abusing you
and you just get a tough psychological problem. Its horrible when you go through it (
Castaeda, 2013, para. 13). This is one example of how fraternities in the El Paso community
help people in the community, but they have many ways of helping the community.
Fraternities have their own way ofof raising money, but also to raise awareness of certain
diseases. In El Paso, Phi Delta Theta has hosted an event called the Iron Turkey. After reading
The Prospector article The Iron Turkey Race continues to fight Lou Gehrigs disease, by
Leonardo Montaez (2013), he explains how this event helps raise money and awareness for
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or better known as Lou Gehrigs disease. Phi Delta Theta

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has hosteds this event and they have done an amazing job by raising 40,000 dollars for the past
four years. We will have the main event, which is the 5K run, but if youre not a runner,; we
also have a one-mile fun run or walk, but not only do they do a run but they also have games
and prizes for little kids that come to the event .(Sheikh, Para 5, 2013). They always have a great
turn out with an average of 700 people coming to participate. This is an example of how the
fraternity helps the community out by giving back. This is an example of how the Greek Llife
can be a positive thing for the community, but sometimes fraternities do not always have a
positive effect in the community.
Sometimes fraternities can have a negative effect on the community they live in, as in
with the students that are in the community. Alcohol use among fraternity and sorority
members: looking at change over time, by Sandra Caron, Eilean Moskey, and Cindy Hovey. By
using this source, researchers can help answer one of the questions but not that much. This article
did a study and a survey about students who are a part of a fraternity that consume alcohol. The
survey that was conducted is informative on how they conducted it and what the outcomes of the
test were. While approximately 65% of students reported an increase in their drinking since
arriving at college. Many students create bad habits when it comes to consuming alcohol, and
eventually can aeffect students grades during college.
Most members enjoy doing community service because they feel good doing something
good in the community knowing they will benefit many people. Mauricio Terres, Bernie Terres
little brother, is currently at UTEP and also a part of Phi Delta Theta. By doing theseis interviews
we can get more information, but we can see what is happening currently with the fraternity.
Mauricio is an excellent resource because he is involved with the organization and knows what is
going on with the chapter at UTEP. Like Bernie, Mauricio can answer all the questions that

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were asked earlier for the paper in the future. Mauricio and the organization do many community
services that can benefit not only El Paso, but also across the country: According to Mauricio,
the fraternity
AAre more active than the fraternities you see in the movies for example, every year on
Thanksgiving we host an event called the Iron Turkey. The Iron Turkey is a 5K walk/run
to raise awareness for Lou Gehrig's disease, but also to raise money for any organization
thate works with ALS. Not only do we host the Iron Turkey, but we also volunteer with
organization in El Paso like the humane society.
The Greek Life can be a beneficial not only for the community, but also for the members in the
organization knowing they are doing something good for the community.
The Greek Life grows more and more every year because many students realize that the
organization has its benefits. Its all Greek to UTEP, by Mia R. Cortez (2010), explains that
the Greek Life at UTEP is not all about fun and parties, but iIronically, movies don't show the
real dedication and work that being in a Greek organization really takes. It's a responsibility one
must never take lightly (Cortez, 2010, para. 3). They explain how the fraternities and sororities
at UTEP try to develop their members by being great leaders in the community they live in. Most
people try to stereotype the fraternities by saying they just party, but they do a lot of community
service in El Paso. "Greeks often assist each other with fundraising and awareness events
Greek organizations take great pride in their strides to give back to the community. It is amazing
how such fun can continue to accomplish exactly what they put their mind to (Cortez, 2010,
para. 33). The Greek Life can be an amazing thing for the community that they live in. They
benefit not only the community, but also for the students that join the organization.

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How do the Ffraternities Bbenefit the Ccommunity they Llive Ffrom Sstudents at
the Ccollege to Ppeople that live Aacross the Ccity?
Fraternities can have a positive effect for students that just graduated from high school or
even students that are having a hard time to adjust to thein college environment. Can Greek Life
Ease the Transition into College? by Mel DeCandia (2013), describes when students in colleges
had a better time transitioning from high school to college easier. According to DeCandia, she
interviewed Jake Wegbreit (2013), a student at the University of Rochester which stated,
"Brotherhood is indescribable. All I know is that I love it. I love how there will always be
someone that wants to hang out at almost any time (Wegbreit, 2013, para. 12). Most students
whothat join a Greek organization have an easy time to make friends and to break their shell
because most organizations teaches their members to be leaders. Fraternities can be a positive
thing for students, but sometimes it can also have abe a negative effect on them.thing too.
The Greek Life has a big influence on how the members act, whether its a positive or in
a negative effect. Gary R. Pike (date) wrotecalled The Influence of Fraternity or Sorority
membership on Student College Experience and Cognitive Development, which talks about the
positive and the negative of the Greek Llife socially and academically on college campus. This
paper has a lot of support by using surveys and graphs to show and compare Greek life to nonmembers. They compare both fraternities and sorority members to non-members academically
and socially to show the difference between the two groups. StudentsPeople in fraternities did
better in some categories then non-members, but non-members didoes better thenthan
fraternityies members in other categories.
One category that people might question is the fraternitys members gradess. In the
movies peopleyou typically see the members of a fraternity not careing about school, and the

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members having low grades. Fraternity grades at Purdue University, by C. H. Benjamin,

explains how the grades are at Purdue University. Even though it is not really connected to
UTEP it can help out answer a question that was asked earlier in the paper. C.H. Benjamin talks
about how most fraternity membersies grades drop when they first join or how freshmen do not
performdo well during theirre first year of college. A couple of ways to improve the grades at the
college was giving out awards and scholarships to the fraternity or sorority members. One award
they had was the Alford Award which was a bronze plaque suitably mounted and provided with
a silver plate for inscriptions and was offered by Professor T.G. Alford. It is ternity making the
best record in scholarships, and must be won four times to give permanent possession
(Benjamin, 1914, pg. 135). Many people thought it was a good idea to encourage the Greek Life
to do better and make it into a competition.
Table 1. Comparison of Academic Performance & Retention
GPA & Credits = Fall 2010
Retention = Fall 2010 to Fall 2011

Cooperatives

GPA Credits One-Year

Earned retention
Female 3.15 15.1 90.0%
Male 2.87 14.1 91.7%

Greek

Female 3.11 15.3 95.5%

Male 2.79 14.1 93.1%

Independent

Female 3.05 14.3 90.0%

Male 2.85 14.0 89.0%

The average GPA at Purdue University from the fall of 2010 to fall 2011

A couple of ways to improve the grades at the college was giving out awards and a
scholarship to the fraternities or sororities. One award they had was the Alford award which was
a bronze plaque suitably mounted and provided with a silver plate for inscriptions and was
offered by Professor T.G. Alford. It is ternity making the best record in scholarships, and must be

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won four times to give permanent possession (Benjamin, 1914, pg. 135). Many people thought
it was a good idea to encourage the Greek Life to do better and make it into a competition. In
more recent studies, students that are active in an organization are more likely to get better
grades because of the rules that are set upon them; the members must maintain good grades to
participate in events. In 2010 they did a study in Purdue University that showed that fraternity
membersies grades wereare good compared to studentkidss who that wasare not involved with
anything. Table one displays the difference between fraternity members and non-members.
Fraternities expect for their members to get high grades. Normally they want a 2.5, but they will
push each member to excel and get better grades.
The Greek Life at UTEP been around for 100 years now, and the numbers grow more and
more each year. In The Prospector article Greek Life continues to grow on campus after 100
years, by Jose Soto (2014) wrote about the history of the Greek Llife and how it is important to
UTEP history for their centennial celebration. When UTEP first opened their doors in 1914, the
Greek Life followed a few years after which The first fraternity to become an official chapter at
UTEP was Alpha Phi Omega, which was established in 1919 (Soto, 2014, para. 5)., by When
Alpha Phi Omegathis chapter started at UTEP many fraternities started to follow them and
establish a home at the universityit set off the Greek life at this campus. Many fraternities and
sororities have been at the college, but most of them do not exist today. Currently there are 14
active fraternities and sororities at UTEP that studentskids can pick from. The different
fraternities and sororities that have called UTEP home have existed with many purposes and
ideals, from religious and scientific to gender, ethnic and sexual orientation empowerment
(Soto, 2014, para. 2). Most students who started fraternities Fraternities wanted other students

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to feel welcome but also for them to create friendships that can last for a life-timehad a positive
effect to the UTEP campus and as you can see the Greek Life made the college home for them.
Most people whothat join a fraternity can say that it was thea greatest decision that they
made because of the benefits they get from it and the brotherhood they build with each member.
I Joined A Fraternity And It Was One Of The Best Decisions I Ever Made, by Peter Jacobs
(2014), gives many examples on how students enjoyed the experience they havereached from the
Greekfraternity Llife. For many students, leaving home to go away to college can be difficult
because you're separated from your family and close friends for the first time. To combat this,
experts suggest socializing as a means to avoid depression (Jacobs, 2014, para. 16). Fraternities
areis a great way to make friends, and being activity at you college, with football games,
community service, and just being able to hang out with anyone at any time. Students have their
opinion on the organization, but most students who joined a fraternity can say they made a great
choice. There is not a lot of information to back him up, but it is what he sees in the Greek life.
Does UTEP Aacknowledge the Ppositive or the Nnegative Tthat the Ffraternities
Ddid for the Ccommunity in the Ppast Yyears?
Sometimes fraternities goes to the extreme and do not think of the consequences that
could happen to the organization. The Prospector had an article called Greek Life secrecy
unethical, by Amanda Guillen (2014), which that talked about the negativebad side of the
fraternities here at UTEP from Phi Delta Theta about hazing the new members that rush this fall.
It is clearly unethical not to speak out against something that is obviously wrong. I find it
disturbing that a group would hold out information that could possibly help inform others on the
truth, especially a truth that could bring justice and clarity to those that are unsure of the Greek
Life culture (Guillen, 2014, para. 13). Many people believe that fraternities hazinge is too

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much and out of line because there haves be many reports of suicide, and depression from
members after they weregot haze. Injuries, and even some fatalities, have been reported around
the country due to eventsmostly hazingthat have been associated with fraternity and
sorority (Guillen, 2014, para. 17). Fraternity members that have been in the organization want
to keep the tradition going, but they do not think about the consequences that students who can
go through in the future. The truth about the hazing in Phi Delta Theta at UTEP will be unknown
until they figure out what happen but
until then it will be a mystery for now.
The members in any fraternities will tell you that they do a lot of positivegood things in
the community that does not get recognize in the city of El Pasoi. Phi Delta Theta, Alex Alarcon
has been in the fraternity for almost a year now and he really enjoys every moment of it. When I
joined this fraternity I felt welcome right from the beginning. What no one really knows is that
we do a lot for the community and we participate in a lot of events around El Paso like The Race
of the Cure, and clean up the highway. (A. Alarcon, personal interview, October 2014). You
can tell Alex had an easy transition from high school to college by joining the organization.
From the beginningAt first he was one of those studentspeople whothat really did not see the
point of fraternities. Alex thought that fraternities were a great way just to party, but once he got
more information it changed his view of it:
At first, when I thought of fraternities, I was one of those people that thought of it as a
way to pay for friends and just to party all the time, but when I got to talk to some of the
members they really changed my views of everything. They showed me that it is a
brotherhood and that there is more to this organization then what people think. (A.
Alarcon, personal interview, October 2014).

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Alex Alarcon enjoys every moment of it and knowing he is helping the community is a plus for

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not only him, but also for every member in the fraternity.
Sometimes members think just because they are a part of a fraternity they are
untouchable and think they can get away with it, but sometimes that does not work out all the
time. Milwaukee fraternity president faces drug charges, that was founded in the El Paso

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Times. The President of Tau Kappa Epsilon at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Thomas

Kreinbring, was under investigation for possession of drugs at a party. After the party, many
students that attended were hospitalized and with memory lapses is facing unrelated drug
charges (Milwaukee, 2014, para. 7). Kreinbring told police that he used the drugs for studying
purpose, but police are still investigating him. Fraternities have rules that members must follow,
but most members believe they can be sneaky and get away with a lot of things.
Fraternitys members that have been in the organization believe that hazing is tradition,
but sometimes hazing can be taken to an extreme measure. From the El Paso Times, they talked
about hazing that happened in Los Angeles California with Pi Kappa Phi which causes a death to
a member. They were hiking an 18 mile trail, but they were not supplied with the proper
supplies. Armando Villa just finished his freshmen year of college and wanted to join the fall
semester, but it did not turn out the way he wanted it. "They had water and not enough
water The pledges wore really cheap, flimsy shoes. Some of them, including Armando's, were
not the right size. And then you go on an 18-mile hike" (Harrison, 2014, para. 4). Hazing can
take a toll on someone physically, emotionally, and mentally which can sometime result to death.
"Hazing is stupid, senseless, dangerous and against the law in California It is a vestige of a
toxic way of thinking in which it was somehow OK to degrade, humiliate and potentially harm

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others" (Harrison, 2014, para. 6). Fraternities are firm believers of keeping the tradition alive, but
sometimes is it worth it for some ones life.
Conclusion

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By using these sources it will help explain how fraternities are not the same as the
fraternities you see in the movies. We will also be able to answer the questions that were asked at
the beginning which were how fraternities benefit the community, are fraternities at University
of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) are active in the community, does fraternities at a university act like
the fraternities in the movies, and does the media acknowledge the positive or negative in the
community. Fraternities have their benefits, but they also have the down side to it too.
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References

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Alarcon, A. (2014, October). Personal Interview

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Benjamin, C. H. (1915). Fraternity grades at Ppurdue Uuniversity. Science, 41(1047), 135- 138.

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Retrieved from http://0-www.jstor.org.lib.utep.edu/stable/1640701

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Bureau, D., Ryan, H. G., Ahren, C., Shoup, R., & Torres, V.Student learning in fraternities and
sororities: Using nsse data to describe members' participation in educationally
meaningful activities in college. Retrieved from
http://cpr.iub.edu/uploads/Oracle_Vol6_Issue1_Bureau.pdf
Cortez, M. (2010, September 1). Its All Greek to UTEP. Retrieved from
http://www.whatsuppub.com/features/local_news/article_fb27f183-3b4b-59f1-ba0cf1aae634e060.html
Edelmann, K. (2013, January 24). Greek life stereotypes don't reflect reality. Collegiate Times.
Retrieved

from

http://www.collegiatetimes.com/opinion/columnists/article_ea6634fd-bdf5-54fb-869b379e3ef4f10d.html
Guillen, A. (2014, October 7). Greek Life secrecy unethical. The Propector. Retrieved from
http://www.theprospectordaily.com/perspectives/2014/10/07/greek-life-secrecyunethical/
Jacobs, P. (2014, 01 08). I Joined A Fraternity And It Was One Of The Best Decisions I Ever
Made. Retrieved from http://www.businessinsider.com/dont-ban-fraternities-2014-1
Milwaukee fraternity president faces drug charges. (2014, September 21). El Paso Times.
Retrieved from
http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_26579033/milwaukee-fraternitypresident-faces-

drug-charges

Montaez, L. (2013, November 26). The Iron Turkey Race continues to fight Lou Gehrigs
disease. The

Propector. Retrieved from

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http://www.theprospectordaily.com/showcase/2013/11/26/the-

iron-turkey-race-

continues-to-fight-lou-gehrigs-disease/
Montes, A. (2013, October 16). Men in heels walk around Downtown in protest of sexual
violence. The Propector. Retrieved from
http://www.theprospectordaily.com/showcase/2013/10/16/men-in- heels-walk-arounddowntown-in-protest-of-sexual-violence/

Northridge college finds hazing in hiking death. (2014, September 5). El Paso Times. Retrieved
from

http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_26478504/northridge-college-finds-hazing-

hiking-death
Pike, G. R. (2000). The influence of fraternity or sorority membership on students' college
experiences

and cognitive development. Research in Higher

Education, 41(1, AIR Forum Issue), 117-139.

Retrieved from http://0-www.jstor.org.lib.utep.edu/stable/40196391
Rivera, K. (2013, August 28). Get to Know UTEPs Black Greek Letter Organizations. The
Propector.

Retrieved from http://www.theprospectordaily.com/news/2013/08/28/get-

to-know-uteps-

black-greek-letter-organizations/

Soto, J. (2014, September 9). Greek Life continues to grow on campus after 100 years. The
Propector.

Retrieved from

http://www.theprospectordaily.com/showcase/2014/09/09/greek-lifegrow-on-campus-after-100-years/
Terres, B. (2014, October). Personal Interview
Terres, M. (2014, October). Personal Interview

continues-to-

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Uloop, (2013,06 24). Can Greek Life Ease the Transition Into College? Retrieved from
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/uloop/can-greek-life-ease-the-t_b_3478980.html
Velarde, J. (2010, June 14). Progressive Fraternity Makes History by Breaking Stereotypes.
News @

UTEP. Retrieved from http://admin.utep.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=65538