Should Colleges Ban Fraternities?

The chapter “ Fraternities and Collegiate Rape Culture: Why are some fraternities more dangerous places for women?” by A. Ayres Boswell and Joan Z. Spade helps to shed light on why some fraternities are associated with high number of sexual assaults on women. I was surprised to learn that “frat brothers rape 300% more and 1 in 5 women are raped on campus” (Valenti, 2014) and despite these horrendous statistics fraternities are still around. So why aren’t there more stringent actions set into motion to stop sexual assaults on women on campus or better yet ban fraternities. A lot has to do with how society as a whole sets double standards with regard to gender sexuality. Men who sleep around are viewed as “studs” or a “player” and women who sleep

Jacobs is very upfront with his audience and connects well with his college demographic. For many men and even women looking to join a fraternity or sorority, they do not want to be deemed as the inconsiderate, spoiled brat that many who have no knowledge of Greek life assume them to be. Peter Jacobs wants his audience to understand the high expectations that come along with affiliating with a Greek life organization. The author talks about a fairly new study that was constructed at the University of New Orleans that states that, “Non- affiliated male college students had in fact more threatening attitudes towards women” (Jacobs 2). He then goes about saying, “Hypermasculinity- defined as an exaggerated adherence to traditional male gender role beliefs, was for the most part a warning sign of sexual encroachment for all men except those in a fraternity” (Jacobs 2). He got this factual data from Inside Higher Ed reports, an editorial website run out of Washington, DC. Jacobs wants his audience to understand that almost all fraternities and sororities make it mandatory for their affiliates to complete alcohol and drug abuse and sexual assault training. College students before reading this article may think that they do not want to join a Greek chapter because of the stereotypes brought about in society. Jacobs is able to get at an emotional level with his

By using a collection of interviews and recollections, the audience receives both sides about the truth of fraternities while lacking any sort of bias. Throughout the article you made it clear that a solution to ether side was impossible; therefore the focal purpose is to teach students, parents, professors, or community residents about fraternities. The absence of a possible resolution leaves a window for any reader’s interpretation.

In the 1960s, there was a considerable decrease in the number of students joining fraternities and sororities on campus. The movie implemented a rejuvenation of the Greek college, party life on campus. Sperber writes “Nationwide membership in fraternities doubled from about one hundred thousand in 1970 to two hundred thousand in 1980, and doubled again to almost four hundred thousand in 1990” (16) Due to the rise of party and prank behavior attributed to membership, colleges put regulations in place to stop student drinking. These regulations do not work. The regulations also contradict the advertised Greek life used while recruiting students to pledge. My impression of this is that it still occurs today. I agree with Sperber, there are many students entering college just to be part of this

While Ithaca College’s Greek life scene was vibrant in the seventies and eighties, a number of hazing scandals occurred in the 80s. These scandals were brought to national attention following the hazing related death of one student. Because of this, Ithaca College no longer recognizes any social or service fraternities and sororities. Students who are interested in joining a social fraternity or sorority are able to rush at neighboring Cornell

The Greek communities that have risen across the country have created huge impacts on every university that they have established themselves on. Historically, fraternities were designed for students to discreetly meet to discuss issues and host debates that their members believed would be deemed inappropriate by their collegiate faculties. Since their founding, fraternities and sororities have completely revamped their focuses. They are used as social, professional, and honorary organizations that promote many different combinations of community service, leadership, and academic success. The ideas of brotherhood and sisterhood have also transcended the college experience,

To being with, fraternities and sororities should not be coed because will effect colleges and universities in the long run. In source 2 it states “ This situation leaves institution, with no national headquarters to keep them in line. “… shutting down the national office.” national organizations will withdraw, leaving the campus with local groups that have responsibility

When one first thinks of Greek life or a sorority the only thing that comes to mind is the social aspect. Most people don’t think of sororities as social institutions that envelop their own culture, with mannerisms, languages and customs that are unique to each individual organization. However, these institutions promote a common set of values that enable members to become connected in a way that has a more profound meaning than just social interaction. Greek organizations are good examples of how institutions can affect and be affected by social status and roles within the collegiate community. They are also a prime example of how race, class and gender can affect a social setting in both positive and negative manners.

The binge drinking and partying of fraternities and sororities is now under the concern of the chapter locally and nationally. Every year there is a national hazing awareness week that every fraternity and sorority on every campus in America participates in. The only way to fix the problem is the educate people about the problem. To outweigh the heavy expense on a member’s pocket is the ability to apply for scholarships within a fraternity or sorority nationally. A Greek organization offers aid when needed and if cannot solely help look for other outlets for financial aid for a member. Organizations focus on education and give endless resources to members within the house and on campus. Members of Greek organizations have so much potential to become well-rounded individuals and being in these organizations helps them shape these potentials to achieve the most success as

The article talks about two types of fraternities high and low risk. I would describe the high-risk fraternities as being rowdy and reckless. This is the fraternity you have a higher chance of being raped or harassed at. This fraternity would include the popular kids at the school. The athletes and the rich kids would fall into this group. These kids think they are better than everyone else and above authority. The high-risk fraternities are more likely to try to peer pressure girls into doing something they do not want to do. The low-risk fraternities are the more relaxed and controlled fraternity. This is the fraternity you have less of a chance to get raped or harassed at. The low-risk f fraternities would include the kids who play intermural

Each year recent high school graduates start new chapters of their lives when they leave home for the first time and go to college. College is an exciting time for many because it is college freshman’s first real chance to make their own decisions and take on full responsibility of their young adult lives. New students will grow and learn from the decisions and choices that they make while living on their own. One choice each fresh and eager college freshman will have to make during the fall is whether to join Greek Life at their college. Sororities and Fraternities line the quad in attempt to lure interested students to pledge or join their brotherhood or sisterhood. In hopes to meet new people, get involved, or become a legacy many students do rush during the fall semester with hopes of joining their top pick of either sorority or fraternity. Other students avoid Greek life, assuming that it is all about cliques and partying. In spite of these negative preconceptions, Greek life does offer many social, academic and

First off, colleges and universities should ban Greek life on campuses for obvious reasons, the first being rape culture. Sexual violence is not something to be swept under the rug and brushed off. It continues to be a massive problem everywhere in America, and colleges are no exception. An article by The Guardian states, “Frat brothers rape 300% more. One in five women are sexually assaulted on campus” (Valenti, 2014). Looking at that statistic in real terms, 20% of females on a college campus will be sexually assaulted before they graduate. This evidence clearly

I love you.'” (qtd. in “HAZING AT COLLEGE FRATERNITIES”) This was the last conversation that Mrs. Culolias ever had with her son before his life was taken after a tragic incident at a fraternity party. After consuming an enormous amount of alcohol, days later, Jack Culolias was found at a nearby river. “The coroner determined that his drowning was an accident caused by heavy drinking and hypothermia” (“HAZING AT COLLEGE FRATERNITIES”). Jack’s death was a result of the fraternity and they hold responsibility for allowing his death to occur. While looking deeper into this subject, there are many other hazing allegations that ultimately have led to a death in some way. At the University of Albany, a student was forced, through a pledging ritual, to drink a gallon of alcohol of his choice. After that night, he was found dead due to alcohol poisoning (“UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY”). It shocks me that with multiple counts of deaths occurring in fraternities all across the United States, nothing is really being done to solve this issue. Without immediate attention, fraternities will continue to affect these pledges by either scarring them for life or even worse, being the sole reason for their

When undergraduates become interested in Greek life, they have to decide if the advantages outweigh the risks. In the news, the public hears the negative side of Greek life such as the students in sororities and fraternities passing away from alcohol abuse, or colleges such as Indiana University suspending fraternities on campus for hazing and alcohol violations until March 2018. While many negative topics about Greek life are prominent in the news, not all sororities and fraternities experience hazing and illegal problems. Although both advantages and disadvantages arise on college campuses within Greek life, undergraduate students usually benefit from being a part of a sorority or fraternity and are able to create a healthy environment and community to learn, work, and live in.

Recently, the idea of partaking in a fraternity has become more prevalent. Young adults are captivated with wanting to live the Greek life. The clothes and parties seem to drawn in teens like a magnet. However what these teens do not realize is the terrible things associated with fraternities. Many fraternities have a reputation for turning college students into drunks, treating women vulgarly, enacting violent hazing against other fraternity members and disrupting the true reason why students go to college. For these reasons fraternities should be banned altogether on college campuses.