Benefits of Fraternities and Sororities

Starting college is an exciting time for students. The college environment is new and unfamiliar. College presents an opportunity to try new things, make new friends and learn new skills. New opportunities lead to increased independence and confidence. Fraternities and sororities offer students a supportive network of friends and mentors throughout the college years. Adjusting to college with the assistance and support of others encourages students to get involved and learn new skills in and outside of the classroom.

Sororities and Fraternities offer students the opportunity to learn about the process and structure of a large organization. In college sororities and fraternities, where every single member is an important part of the "family", everyone has an opportunity to participate. In fact, part of the required learning for most of these organizations is the structure and membership of the group. Members learn communication skills and develop the discipline required to participate socially, and excel academically. All fraternities and sororities have community service involvement and charitable causes that they work towards. In addition, the fraternities and sororities combine forces from time to time and work together on larger events. Organizational leadership and communication skills are developed and strengthened with the Greek experience.

Studies indicate that there are a number of advantages to participation in sororities and fraternities. Greek organizations are self-governing organizations. Students, who participate, have the opportunity to work with faculty advisors and alumni on budgeting, decision-making and policy and procedure development. They learn about membership recruitment and fundraising. Leadership opportunities are widely available and students are assured support while they learn, gain confidence and can eventually assume these leadership positions. Students who join fraternities and sororities are less likely to drop out of college. The Greek community raises large amounts of money and contributes and enormous number of volunteer hours. Students, who participate in these charitable activities in college, are more likely to continue charitable work as graduates and contribute more to their communities. Some research has shown that students affiliated with Greek organizations have higher incomes upon graduation.

The major criticism of fraternities and sororities is the history of hazing practices well documented and publicized in the media. The Greek community has done much to prevent these practices and they are no longer a normal part of pledging a fraternity of sorority. In act, there are college policies, oversight and laws that protect against these abuses of power. Modern Greek organizations are unlike the stereotype that people may still have in mind when they hear the words fraternities and sororities.

The camaraderie and support of a Fraternity and Sorority is the obvious and probably the thing most people think of first. In fact, the friendship and community is perhaps the major reason that students join Greek organizations. The benefits of this support system cannot be underestimated. Greek organizations do have a family structure. New students have an opportunity to become friends with fellow college students, but they also have the opportunity to befriend alumni who are now out in the work world. The opportunities to meet potential mentors and contacts in the professional world in a wonderful benefit of belonging to a Greek organization. Upon graduations, Greek members often network and help each other with job skills, contacts, and even adjusting to a new community. Greek life results in a worldwide network.

Fraternities and sororities stress academics success and require academic success of their members. There are minimum requirements that must be met in order to pledge for a fraternity or sorority. The organizations often reward top achievers and are committed to helping members meet personal goals of success