January 2005

Up for discussion: To Greek or not to Greek

Delta Delta Delta sorority sisters Erin Grant, right, and Meghan McDonnell serve sweets at a December dessert reception that raised $1,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. (Tony Novelozo/Axiom)

There tend to be two images of college Greek organizations -- that of a club filled with tradition, honor and lifelong bonds and that of the "Animal House" variety, houses filled with drunken, rowdy students.

So what is the real story? And as some fraternities and sororities hold pledge rushes this month, how do you know if a Greek organization is right for your student?

"I think it's unfortunate that most public portrayals of fraternities and sororities are so negative," says Erin Grant, a member of Delta Delta Delta and president of the Panhellenic Council, a group of officers and delegates from 10 campus sororities.

Grant says she found coming to UC Davis from a small high school a bit overwhelming. Joining a sorority helped her to make friends and become more involved on campus.

"It's a great experience, not only in terms of leadership but also meeting other people, establishing connections and getting good training skills for what you do later in life," she says.

Joining a Greek organization does require commitments of time and money. Grant says joining Delta Delta Delta helped her to better prioritize both her time and her spending money.

Fifty plus organizations at UC Davis

About 1,850 students are members of one of the 56 Greek organizations on campus, about half of which are special interest organizations such as ethnic fraternities and sororities or gay/bisexual organizations.

Paul Cody serves as UC Davis' liaison with fraternities and sororities. (Debbie Aldridge/UC Davis)

Paul Cody, who serves as the Greek liaison in the Student Programs and Activities Center, says students find what they are looking for. If they want their college experience to include excessive drinking then that is what they are likely to do, whether through the Greek system or not, he says.

Educational programming about responsible drinking and other aspects of personal safety is built into Greek life, he notes, and the campus exercises a positive influence through its policies for recognizing fraternities and its disciplinary system.

Academic considerations

When it comes to academics, many Greek organizations put an emphasis on grades, with older members often serving as tutors and mentors to younger members.

A survey taken last spring found that Greek women have a mean grade point average slightly higher than the 2.956 average for women campuswide, while Greek men have a GPA slightly lower than the 2.809 for male students overall.

Cody also notes that Greeks on campus often volunteer or are called upon to help with service projects, fund-raisers, blood drives and more.

He urges parents who have concerns about their students joining a fraternity or sorority to keep an open mind. And he invites calls on the topic at (530) 752-2027.

"Joining may or may not be right for (your student), but allow (him or her) to explore the idea," he says.

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