 Joining a fraternity is associated with a slightly lower grade-point average during the spring

semester of the freshman year. Also, fraternity members “strategically choose leniently
graded courses in this semester to mitigate the negative effects of affiliation.”
 Sorority members appear to be more distracted from their classes during spring semesters
after their freshman year, when they are involved in recruiting and educating new members.
During these semesters, being a sorority member is associated with a slightly lower grade-
point average. Sorority members choose easier courses during these semesters.
 Students of different academic abilities are affected differently. Students with lower SAT
scores “experience strong negative effects.”

https://journalistsresource.org/studies/society/education/fraternities-sororities-grades-classes-
greek-research

Social & cultural fraternities, sororities and social fellowships are student organizations whose
primary purpose is the personal development of their members, as distinguished from honorary,
professional, departmental and service fraternities.

Some fraternities and sororities are culturally and/or community based. Social/cultural
fraternities and sororities may select members according to subjective criteria consistent with
the University’s nondiscrimination policies. Unlike most other student organizations,
membership in a social/cultural fraternity or sorority is normally a lifetime affiliation, and
generally students are not permitted to be initiated into more than one social/cultural fraternity or
sorority.

Social/cultural fraternities and sororities promote intimate relationship bonds of brotherhood and
sisterhood, and members typically refer to fellow members as “brothers” or “sisters.”

Social/cultural fraternities and sororities typically have rituals and creeds which promote the
ideals such as friendship, loyalty, academic achievement and intellectual development, service to
the community and the alma mater, honor and integrity, leadership and personal responsibility.

Why Join?

Fraternities, sororities and social fellowships offer the opportunity to come in contact with new
people who share similar interests and values and who will become your friends for life. These
organizations bring out the best in their members through strong friendships and common goals.
Most importantly, fraternities, sororities and social fellowships have an impact on their
members’ lives in many ways, offering learning and life experiences through their core values of
community service, friendship, leadership and scholarship.

Four Pillars of Fraternity & Sorority Life

Brotherhood/Sisterhood
The result of fraternity and sorority membership: a bond that transcends time and space, a
friendship that lasts a life time. A fundamental principle of every fraternity and sorority chapter
is a brotherhood or sisterhood that one shares through the good times and provides support
during the difficult challenges that come with being a college student.

Scholarship
Academic excellence is a tradition and priority to fraternity & sorority members. At the
University at Albany, our community strives to maintain a high quality of scholarship in our
fraternity & sorority community. In order to be eligible for membership, students must have at
least a 2.65 GPA.

Philanthropy & Community Service

Each year, members of the fraternity & sorority community contribute thousands of hours and
dollars to local and national charities. This year members of the fraternity & sorority community
at UAlbany completed over 21,000 hours of community service.

Leadership
Here at UAlbany, members of fraternities and sororities hold some of the most prestigious and
powerful positions in Student Association, Residential Life, and various other University
organizations. Fraternity and Sorority life also offers many leadership opportunities on an
organizational, sub-governing council and All Greek Council level. As well as the many
positions that fraternity and sorority members hold all over campus, there are many leadership
opportunities on a Chapter, Sub-Council and All Greek Council level.

https://www.albany.edu/involvement/greeklife.shtml

Much like many other activities, joining a fraternity can have a negative impact on
students who are unprepared for the responsibility. Studies show that fraternity brothers
drink more heavily than their non-Greek peers. Although national fraternity headquarters
have rules against this and against hazing during the pledging, or membership-
education, process, alcohol consumption is frequently a component of Greek life.
Though the benefits of joining a Greek organization seem to far outweigh the risks, it's
important to note that negative choices can impact college performance.

https://education.seattlepi.com/impact-fraternities-education-1164.html

Fraternities and sororities are integral to Valparaiso University’s vibrant community life,
where learning extends well beyond the classroom. By design, there are boundless
opportunities for fraternity men and sorority women to gain critical leadership skills and
provide service to communities near and far. Through their experiences, fraternity and
sorority members learn how the exchange of knowledge, talents, and perspectives builds
character within them and contributes to a better world. Leadership:
Fraternity and sorority membership is a connection to a larger community. Members use their
network of peers to sharpen their skills as leaders and assume a variety of positions at Valpo.
Fraternity men and sorority women can be found in Student Senate, University Programming
Council, and Ambassadors in Admission. Chapters are self-governing bodies in which the
members take on the responsibilities and offices of the organization. Through this hands-on
experience, members seize opportunities to immerse themselves in creating meaningful change
in the lives of others.
Valpo’s fraternities and sororities enable men and women to establish lifelong friendships.
Fraternity and sorority affiliation provides members with an opportunity to interact with students
of all ages, backgrounds, and interests. Members meet people with a wide range of beliefs and
ideas within the fraternity and sorority community and other student organizations. Membership
offers an interconnected network of support for those making the transition to college life.
There are usually various initiation rituals for new member before he or she is accepted
into the organization and entitled to the benefits that come with that particular fraternity
or sorority. These can include a close knit group of friends, access to on campus
parties, job placements after school with fraternity or sorority alumnus, and residing in
the chapter house—housing usually given to them by the college or university.
The name of this type of organization implies that the members live and relate to each
other as siblings, brothers or sisters, in a familial relationship. Indeed, one's student
peers are like one's siblings, and many of these organizations specifically treat new
members as younger brothers or sisters. However, in the fraternity or sorority there are
no parents. The problems faced by these organizations, such as alcohol abuse and
dangerous hazing activities, indicate that these "siblings" are still "children" in need of
parental love and guidance.
Most fraternities and sororities today maintain traditions which are generally symbolic in
nature and kept as closely guarded secrets. These rituals most often encompass an
initiation ceremony, but may also include passwords, songs, handshakes, and the form
of meeting.

Depending on your family and friends, you may have been given very different opinions
on Greek life, and while it’s not for everyone, you should definitely consider the benefits
of joining a fraternity or sorority before you dismiss the idea.

By keeping an open mind and joining in on Greek life, you’ll be able to help the needy,
meet new friends, and have a network already formed by the time you graduate.

http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Fraternity_and_sorority
Fraternity life remains a stereotypical powerhouse that feeds off anyone inferior and
cause lots of detriment in college campuses. There remains a stereotype associated
with being the superlative frat boy and they will do everything it takes to become that.
Libby Nelsons describes the horrors of Greek life accurately in her article by laying out
some specific examples where the gain of being the stereotypical frat boy caused
further harm than good
She outlines tragedies that have occurred at fault of the fraternity house in such a
fleeting time frame. Men in fraternities deem that the man that drinks the most, acquires
the most girls, and is the most popular, is the man one desires to become. Not keeping
in mind that binge drinking and sexual assault can ruin a person’s life. Correspondingly,
Fraternity parties have developed such a problem that they have the 6th worst
insurance risk in the country, even ahead of toxic-waste companies (Flanagan).
According to the NASPA, college fraternity members are more likely to commit sexual
assault, binge drink and more fraternity college men have died from drinking related
incidents than non-fraternity college men since 2005 (Flanagan). There stands an issue
with fraternity life and the stereotype they all feel the need to fulfill. Evidently,
Fraternities aren’t clearly run in a productive way since college fraternity student cause
the peak harm and are harmed more compared to several other student groups on
campus.
Social involvement, personal and professional development, networking and academic
support are all common benefits students gain from fraternities. Fraternities aren't for
everyone, though. The costs of membership and the requirements to pledge and stay
involved are common deterrents. Fraternity brothers often have social expectations and
other time requirements for members.
https://education.seattlepi.com/advantages-disadvantages-fraternities-2616.html

Fraternity or sorority is a social, professional, or honorary societies for males

and females. It attracts many college students because it appears to be a
way into a fun college career with ready-made friends and future job
connections.
Fraternities have been a source of partying, binge drinking, rampant sex,
accidental deaths, and rape. They have also been a source of brotherhood,
career development, community service, and academic development. Yet,
with a constant litany of bad
incidents related to frats reaching the headlines of local and national
newspapers, universities are frequently pressed to consider whether to ban a
single frat or scrap the entire system all together on their campuses.
Joining a fraternity isn't for the faint of heart, and it's also not for those who are too
stubborn to compromise. Making the decision to join a fraternity is like choosing to join
a family. It's scary, but it's also continuously rewarding.