http://www.emyouthemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/PakmodeWebLogo.pngBy Marissa McNees
mmcnees1@emich.edu
Everyone’s heard it – the “sorority girl” or “frat guy” stereotype. It’s practically engrained in our minds from the time you are able to turn on a TV or watch a PG-13 movie for the first time. I’d challenge you to find even three incoming freshman who don’t have some kind of preconceived notion about the fraternity/sorority experience.
At Eastern Michigan, we’ve had our share of problems involving the Greek community. It’s understandable to think that a new student would be leery of getting involved in something that has such negative connotations.
“People only know what they know,” Eastern Michigan Greek life advisor Noah Borton said. “We just have to help people understand the value Greek life can bring to the university, regardless of past events.”
This is much easier said than done. It’s hard to forget when something horrible happens at your school, and it’s even harder not to instantly associate that incident with Greek life altogether when it happened at a local fraternity or sorority house. But, at EMU, Greek life is committed to doing that — fighting the stereotypes and proving that going Greek can have very positive outcomes.
“We have to acknowledge that things have happened here and we have to take ownership of that,” Borton said. “Now we just have to take the steps to make it better and help our community.”
While those negative stereotypes will probably stick around, not just at EMU, but at all universities, the Greek community at Eastern Michigan continues to take those steps to show people that even though incidents have happened, Greek life still has value and worth.
“Even over the past four or five years, I have seen such positive growth,” Borton said. “Academic performance continues to improve and our fraternities and sororities have the highest GPAs they’ve had in decades. It’s a step in the right direction.”
And it shows. According to Jenna Brooks, current president of the Gamma Sigma chapter of Delta Zeta here at Eastern, her chapter exceeded their goal GPA last semester with an average of 3.2.
Not only have the chapters been stepping it up when it comes to the classroom, but when you take a look around the community, it’s clear that EMU’s Greek organizations are not exactly like what you might see on the big screen or hear about from other universities.
“We’re not like one of those universities where a kid is going to go there to join his dad’s old fraternity, or a girl is going to follow in her mother’s footsteps at some sorority,” said Borton. “But that’s what makes us special.
“We are about developing leaders and giving students the resources to get connected with their community and make an impact.”
And they’re striving to do just that. One of the main activities of the Delta Nu chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. is their own “Kappa League” which, according to Kyle Caldwell, is a mentoring program for boys in eighth to 12th grade. “We train them for leadership, tutor them, mentor them and provide them with recreational activities and college fairs. Our main goal is for all of them to attend college.”
“My ultimate goal is to see EMU’s Greek community be the premier Greek community in the country. To set the standards for all other universities,” Borton said. “I want us to be able to provide the best environment not just for Greeks on campus, but for all students.”
Although Borton’s goal may not be reached for some time, with organizations continuing to show such positive growth, there is no reason why it couldn’t.http://www.emyouthemagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/PakmodeWebLogo.png
