Fraternities Essay Research Paper A fraternity as

Fraternities Essay, Research Paper

A fraternity, as defined by the The American Heritage

Dictionary is “a chiefly social organization of male college

students, usually designated by Greek letters.”(pg. 523) This

definition, however, is very limited and leaves plenty of space

for short sighted people to believe the stereotype conveyed by

the popular media, where fraternity members are depicted as

drunks who accomplish nothing either scholastically or

socially. Unfortunately, both this definition and media

portrayals fail to mention the fact that membership in a

fraternity is a life-long experience that helps its members

develop social, organizational, and study skills during

college, and that teaches true, everlasting friendship. As a

matter of fact, fraternities have a long tradition of high

academic achievement, and most of our nation’s presidents were

members of a Greek association.

According to Irving Klepper, the first fraternity (Phi

Beta Kappa) was founded for “social and literary purposes” at

the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia on

December 5th 1776. After half a century of existence, it

became and has since remained a scholarship honor society.

Throughout the nineteenth century, many new fraternities were

founded, but none of these were permanent. Then, in 1825, the

Kappa Alpha Fraternity (now Kappa Alpha Society) was born at

Union College. Two years later, Sigma Phi and Delta Phi had

been founded at the same college, constituting the so-called

Union Triad which was, in a large measure, the pattern for the

American Fraternity system. By the end of the nineteenth

century there were over thirty general fraternities in this

country (pg. 18).

Today’s fraternities still have all the characteristics

and precepts of the their past fraternities: “the charm and

mystery of secrecy, a ritual, oaths of fidelity, a grip, a

motto, a badge, a background of high idealism, a strong tie of

friendship and comradeship, and urge for sharing its values

through nationwide expansion.” (Klepper pg. 18) In addition,

today’s fraternities help their members develop many skills

which are used in and out of college.

During membership in a fraternity, one must learn

leadership skills, because the chapter has to be run in a

business-like manner and because it embraces different offices

(President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Scribe, etc..) which are

held by its members. These offices closely resemble the ones

of real business. Additionally, since membership in a

fraternity is seen as a great achievement by other Greek

associations’ members, every brother must be able to uphold

that office at any time.

Organization is a must for every member of a fraternity.

Fund raising activities and community service always have a

high priority in every chapter, and each member is required to

organize and/or take part in many of these activities as a

pledge, a brother and an alumnus. This helps individuals

within the group to develop organization and planning. In

addition, since the fraternity might be located in a house,

each brother must learn household organization for his brothers

well being.

Fraternities are famous for their energetic social

gatherings (parties) which require all of their members to be

socially active and outspoken when the occasion calls for it.

This helps fraternity members develop very strong social

skills. Since the act of one member reflects over the acts of

all the others, self-control and awareness of actions are

mandatory. In addition, when the brothers live in fraternity

houses, this adds to the development of social skills in the

way that a member must be able to deal and live with different

kinds of people in different situations.

Since there are people of different scholastic levels in a

fraternity, the member of the fraternity have access to a great

deal of knowledge on many different school subjects. It is

normal for fraternities to organize study groups regularly

during the school year and especially before exams.

In addition, members might also use the opinion and advice

of other members about the faculty in their favor, and most

fraternities keep test files and other such study aids

available for the benefit of their members. Most fraternity

members are also eligible to receive a number of different

scholarships and awards based on academic excellence,

leadership, and personal achievement which can contribute to

both the resume and the self-esteem of the person receiving

such an honor.

Fraternities are also well known for their support toward

their community. In fact, other than the usual, chapter-run

projects, many chapters require their associate members to

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