Greek Speak: What’s With All The Negativity?

February 1, 2011 5:00 pm     Posted in College, Reality  Sorority Girl g+ page


By Sorority Girl

Hazing. It’s a touchy subject, and by “touchy” I mean one that we never want to touch on… or ever be a part of. I happen to come from a very anti-hazing chapter and university, both of which take ample precautions to eliminate hazing. Yet at colleges across the country, hazing still exists (and goes too far). And it exists in student groups and organizations that don’t have Greek letters in their names.

Why, then, are sorority and fraternity incidents the ones that are always making national news?

Most recently, two fraternities and one sorority at George Washington University were stripped of their houses on campus for hazing and underage drinking incidents. And of course, the story made it into the Washington Post. And this wasn’t the first time that’s happened.

In fact, it seems to me that the only time hazing stories get any media attention, they involve the Greek community. (It also seems that the only time the Greek community gets any media attention it’s for hazing, but that’s a whole different issue.) Should those who break the rules (and the law!) be punished for their actions? Absolutely. Should those who stand by and let it happen be punished too? Yes. But we all know that it’s not just the frat boys and sorority girls who partake in hazing rituals.

I’m not a finger-pointer, but I can’t ignore the severe hazing incidents that have nothing to do with fraternities and sororities. Why don’t we ever hear anything about high school and college sports teams that haze? And what are their punishments? Are entire teams getting suspended for entire seasons? Does the team get removed from the athletic roster like a fraternity or sorority gets kicked off campus?

And what about the other student groups? Oftentimes they too have strict rituals new students must partake in if they want to be a part of the group. But does anyone notice?

No and no.

I am not sitting here saying that many fraternities and sororities don’t haze. They do, as awful as that is, and that’s why there are strict no-hazing policies in place on most campuses. But the fact is, they’re not the only ones who do so and it’s unfair that we get all the negative (national) attention and repercussions when everyone else out there merely gets a slap on the wrist.

If hazing is such a big issue – and it is – then it’s time we treat everyone who does it the same whether they are a Greek house or a sports team that brings in millions of dollars for a university each year. Hazing is serious, it’s damaging and it needs to be stopped… no matter who is doing it.

And while we’re speaking Greek, maybe it’s time we start giving fraternities and sororities attention for the things they’re doing right; highlighting the chapters that don’t haze, the money Greek communities raise for charity, and all the other great things this large group of college students does every year.

Or is that just wishful thinking?

What do YOU think about the negative stigmas that are associated with Greeks? Do you think they’re treated unfairly? Sound off!

[Got a question for our sorority girl? Email her at submissions [at] collegecandy [dot] com. In the meantime, get the DL on Greek Life from the women who are living it right here.]

5 Comments on "Greek Speak: What’s With All The Negativity?"

  1. Jill says:
    Tue, 1st Feb 20116:31 pm 

    I completely agree! My boyfriend just signed with a professional MLB team and I cannot believe some of the stories of things they do to the new guys! && You're exactly right…I'm sure the coaches know or have SOME idea…and even if they were caught they would probably get a slap on the wrist…if that. Fraternities and Sororities are under such a microscope that almost ANYTHING is considered hazing. I don't necessarily disagree with these rules, but we have to be much more careful than any other organization. We are also watched far more closely! It is VERY unfair.

  2. Erin says:
    Tue, 1st Feb 20117:04 pm 

    Have you ever heard of fact checking before you write an article?

    "In fact, it seems to me that the only time hazing stories get any media attention, they involve the Greek community. "
    …No. Maybe you only notice the ones that involve the Greek community because they affect you more, but there is arguably much more media coverage for hazing on athletics teams. I go to a Division I sports school and this is a huge issue at our school. Each fall our athletics department brings in a legal advisor to discuss the concerns of hazing and public image. Hazing is a bigger issue in athletics because DI athletes are marketable "celebrities". So blogs and the media love when we mess up. Just look at Badjocks.com or any other sites that attract huge followings just by showing when athletes mess us.

    Athletes lose so much when they mess up, whether its personally or overall as a team. Teams can be cut, athletes cut, and any athletic futures cut. Yea it sucks if you can't be in a sorority for a year, but when an athlete can't play for a year, their futures are gone. No pro league is going to want you.

    Research before you only provide one side of an issue, please.
    Sure, hazing sucks in the frat/sorority world. But it sucks a lot for other groups too.

  3. Alissa says:
    Wed, 2nd Feb 20119:33 am 

    I agree with Erin. You hear all the time about hazing in athletics. In our athletic department, teams do get cut, suspended, etc if there is hazing. What's more, we are drug tested, forced to sign nondrinking contracts, and are held to a higher standard then the average greek student. Honestly, Greek hazing gets more press because there are larger numbers of Greek students and more emphasis is put on partying and alcohol then on athletic teams. As a member of a sorority and a division 1 athletic team, I can attest that the types of hazing are very different. If the school puts less sanctions on an athletic team it also may have to do with the team making money for the university, whereas Greek contribution compared to an athletic teams to the overall school is minimal. Then again, it depends on what team you're n but that's a whole other story.

  4. Melissa says:
    Wed, 2nd Feb 20112:31 pm 

    I agree, I read very little about sports and high school hazing on a national level. If you're in sports, obviously you'll hear more about sports hazing, but as far as big publications like the NY Times, I mostly hear about Greek hazing.

  5. Lucy says:
    Sat, 5th Feb 20115:51 pm 

    I've read/seen news stories from ALL facets of hazing; it's becoming a serious issue. But there is no reason to defend the Greek community; I'm sorry but if you couldn't be an outstanding student without a bunch of other clones standing by, nodding with approval..that's just sad. From what I've seen at my school, the athletes (especially females) tend to be held to a much higher standard and are just better people overall.

Tell us what you're thinking...