Kelly Morgan

By Kelly Morgan (Whetstone Staff Writer)

I am a Greek member of Theta Phi Alpha International Women’s Fraternity.

I am sometimes labeled under the stereotype of “typical Greek student,” focused on partying and drinking with my friends.

This stereotype is often reinforced by surveys, including one posted on Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity’s Web site, http://www.aspzeta.org/greeklifestatistics, a “Greek Life Survey” taken during the spring 2001 semester at Ohio State University.

Greek-affiliated members and non-Greek students participated in the survey.

The survey asked, “How much is alcohol a part of Greek life?”

* 17 percent of Greek students report alcohol as a central part of Greek Life.

* 56 percent of non-Greek students report alcohol as a central part of Greek life.

The non-Greeks who think alcohol is a central part of Greek life follow the stereotypes Greeks fall under.

I do not want students and faculty to label every Greek student as someone who ranks alcohol more important than their education.

There are 90 students at Wesley College who are in the five national Greek fraternities here.

That’s only about 6 or 7 percent of the students who come here.

I do not agree that Greek life is the center of alcohol consumption.

There are statistics that show Greek students “feel drinking is a central part of the social life in fraternities (88 percent) and sororities (78 percent),” according to the “Alcohol and College Students Drinking Fact Sheet.”

I want to wipe away the stereotypical alcohol-soaked, Greek-involved student.

Students who are involved in Greek organizations participate in community service and fundraisers.

Greek and non-Greek students in that Ohio State University survey were asked, “How involved are fraternities and sororities with community service?”

* 66.3 percent said they participate in community service activities not required by their chapter.

* 62 percent said they participate in chapter-required philanthropic/community service events.

* Only 32.6 percent of non-Greek students participate in community service activities.

The bottom line for me is that Greek organizations want to better the community, campus and themselves.

Being involved in a structured Greek organization has benefited me with leadership skills, time management and academic improvement.