Reid 1 Edited by: Lexy Price The Effects of Joining a Greek Student Organization on a University Campus All across

the nation, the argument about the effects of Greek student organizations on university campuses is constantly being discussed and continuously researched. A popular argument among the public is regarding whether or not these organizations are helping prepare college students for the real world they will face after graduation. This being the question posed; there are currently no direct answers. Certain researchers say that joining these organizations limits the growth you are supposed to make in college. On the other hand those researchers say that joining one of these organizations is vital to becoming successful in ones career. This isnt where the argument on this issue ends either. Besides just the discussion of the effects after graduation, the question is posed about the effects during ones college experience. Are these organizations doing more harm than good to a person and in what ways? Another issue when it comes to the effects of these organizations is the question of the stereotypes they receive from current television shows. In today's generation, these organizations are portrayed in a negative light, but the real question is the truth to this stereotype (fix). In this essay we will see the insand-outs to joining a Greek organization and question the truth to the stereotypes that they are given. When it comes to the preparation of a college student to face the real world around them, I do not know that there is a specific way to have that happen. The question I have is: Does joining Greek life help one further better themselves or does it hinder their ability once college comes to an end? An article in USA Today College by Jeremy Goldman states that yes, being in these organizations is very beneficial when trying to enter the real world, especially a work place. Why you might ask? Well in the article Goldman states that Greeks want to hire Greeks.

Reid 2 This statement seems to be incredibly accurate when you look at the amount of Greek individuals in certain work places.(look up a percentage or a statisitic) This statement that Greeks like to hire Greeks isnt just Goldman's own personal thought. Graduating senior, Brad Plaxen, from Carnegie Melon University, states that he is not at all concerned with trying to find a job after graduation. I know that my advisor has a list of 30 to 40 Delta Chi Delta members who own their own business or are high enough up to hire employees Plaxen explains. As you can see there is almost a job security by being involved with these organizations that you cannot get from any other organization you may cross paths with during your college experience. This connection is not just within some small businesses. According to USA Today, out of the top 50 nations in the United States of America, 40 of them are owned by former members of Greek Organizations. This is a lot to think about when thinking to the career you wish to hold after graduation. An opposing view comes from another article found at USA Today College, this time by Naomi Martin. In this article she poses the idea of the negative issues she left with after leaving her sorority. A big issue she talks about is her coming of alcoholism (fix). She states, This only came out due to my involvement in parties after joining my sorority. This is not the only issue she had to deal with upon graduation. Rather than leaving confident in the job possibilities, she left with more personal issues that hindered her ability to become successful. During her time involved in Greek Life she found herself becoming more and more depressed with the life she lived. Unhappy and sad that is then how the alcoholism crossed her path. (unhappy and sad are pretty much the same thing and fix the wording of the sentence) According to Martin, these issues of depression and alcoholism came from her time in a Greek organization, and now she must face them every day. Are there other issues like this or is this case just a one in a million

Reid 3 chance? Either way this is how joining a Greek organization could hurt your future. The next question I have to ask is what the effect of being a part of these organizations is during the time actually in college rather than after graduation. A big positive to being involved in these organizations is the leadership opportunities that come along with it. In an article by Ralph Heibutzki he discusses how leadership skills he learned in college all came from his involvement in Greek life on campus. Opportunities for student governing offices as well as other chances all came about to him due to his Greek organization. Even here at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, our student body president and vice president are both part of an IFC Greek organization. Besides simply having the opportunity to obtain a leadership role, one has the courage do to so. From personal experience I can say that I grew up as a timid and shyer kid. Until I joined the sorority I am now a part of, I would have never applied for a leadership role. After joining Alpha Delta Pi here at Charlotte I applied for multiple leadership roles, those being Orientation Counselor as well as Resident Advisor. This is a first-hand experience how Greek life will help individuals while being a student on a college campus. On the other hand of positively effecting ones college experience is the negative effects that come along with joining these organizations. An article written by Chris Blake explains both sides to this issue. As for the negative side, the main issue that comes with joining these organizations is the responsibility that comes along with it. Being involved requires not only money from the financial side but an enormous amount of time. From chapters(define chapter) to philanthropy (define philanthropy) events, it can be extremely difficult to keep up with academics, which is the sole purpose of coming to a university. For an individual who is not able to set priorities, they could definitely find themselves struggling to maintain their GPA. Therefore, this is creating problems when it comes to actually having the correct amount of

Reid 4 credits to graduate. Along with the responsibility issues of joining a Greek organization influences members to go out and party on a constant basis. It takes an adult to say no and realize either they need to study or they have class the next time. (fix) This is another aspect that influences the lowering of GPA's in students involved in Greek organizations. The final issue I wish to discuss on the controversy over Greek organizations is, is there truth to the stereotypes they are given from current television episodes? In today's society, fraternities and sororities are given a bad name due to what people see on TV. My question is, how true is that stereotype? An example of a show that places a bad reputation on these organizations is the show GREEK that originally aired on ABC Family from around 2007-2011. This show was based around the Greek life at a fictional university. In this series, they lived the lives of crazy college kids who did exactly what people would assume Greek college kids to do. People were hazed, fights occurred, and underage drinking was in abundance. The problem with this show was not the entertainment value, but the truth in all these claims made about Greek life. From personal experience, as well as research from multiple articles, this is not how Greek life really is. My own individual reason (say more about your own personal experience or our schools personal experience) for joining a sorority was for the bonds I would make along my journey in college, not for the drama or the parties. Due to this I have not found myself involved with these issues. Even when it comes to the issue of hazing this is not how Greek life is. Episodes on other television shows, as well as the show GREEK, portray a stereotype that may not necessarily be correct. As you can see, when it comes to the issue of Greek organizations there is no direct answer. When opinions flow there is no right or wrong answer, it all depends on the personal experience of the individual. When it comes to me, my answer is that joining these organizations

Reid 5 is extremely beneficial and it has helped me grow as a person. I know this may not be everyones answer, but thats the beauty in this world, it allows everyone to be different. That being said, what do you think?

Make sure that youre checking for grammar like commas and apostrophes and check to make sure the tense stays the same. (past, present, future tense) Make sure to include a question mark when you pose a question in your paper. A lot of the stuff I fixed is just a matter of re-reading your paper and finding the phrases that dont read well. Rearranging words would fix most of the problems I found. A lot of good facts and research for a fast draft! Good personal example about joining Greek life One paragraph could be talking about our own schools Greek life like the different events we do and how involved we are. Give more specific personal examples maybe.

Obviously, I really like this topic because I am in Greek life. I think this is a really good fast draft due to all of the research and quotes you have already included! Just regard my points above!