The graduation caps have been tossed, the lockers have been cleaned out for the final time, and the summer leading into adulthood has been reaped for all it is worth.
Now, teens bound for college have a whole new set of thoughts swirling through their noggins.
How much harder will college classes be? Will I get homesick? What if I don't get along with my roommate?
And eventually, many will meet this consideration: Should I join a fraternity or sorority?
Monica Bryant hadn't planned to be in a sorority but ended up joining after meeting some members of Zeta Phi Beta at the University of Louisville in Kentucky.
"Greek life is not for everybody," says Alan DeSantis, an associate professor at the University of Kentucky and author of the book "Inside Greek U: Fraternities, Sororities and the Pursuit of Pleasure, Power and Prestige" (University Press of Kentucky, $40). "The idea that there's a Greek organization for everybody? No, there's not. Not everybody likes to join organizations."
MYTHS AND TRUTHS
"A lot of people think that Greek organizations are superficial groups where people throw money, buy friends and run around with similar-looking sweat shirts on," says DeSantis, a 43-year-old Sigma Pi who is still close with his college fraternity brothers. "But these organizations and members are meaningful to the people who participate in them."
In addition to holding social events, many groups participate in philanthropies and fundraisers, in addition to offering other personal benefits.
However, the idea that people in sororities and fraternities imbibe more often than independents is pretty accurate.
"Research overwhelmingly shows us that more drinking takes place in Greek life than the normal population," says DeSantis, who is the faculty adviser for most of the Greek groups at UK and holds a doctorate degree in communication and rhetoric. "When you are living with your best friends 24 hours a day, you have a constant party built in. ... There are so many more social options."
While DeSantis admits he's a proponent of Greek life, his book also examines the myriad ways that organizations can improve.
"I believe most of the ills of the Greek system - eating disorders, date rape, violence, aggression, bad grades, binge drinking, drug use - all these things emerge out of how (some) organizations teach their men and women what real men do and what nice girls do," says DeSantis, touching on issues that he discusses in depth in his book.
"But when it's done right, it is a valuable augmentation to college life," he says.
GREEK LIFE
Sure, the social aspects play into decision-making, but folks who join fraternities and sororities certainly have other priorities too.
"Sigma Chi was the only fraternity that told me during rush that they were more than just parties, beer and girls," says Rodney Vallejo, 22, a recent graduate of UK who is preparing to go to medical school. "
Monica Bryant never set out to join a sorority, per se, but when she made friends with some of the women at the University of Louisville's Zeta Phi Beta house, she ultimately ended up joining.
Bryant, 22, enjoys the camaraderie, the leadership opportunities and the diversity within the house, as the Zetas have different interests and college majors. "So when we are looking for community service activities or events, we bring what everyone has to offer to the table," says Bryant, who is vice president of her sorority. and president of U of L's National Pan-Hellenic Council.
This article was provided by: The Enquirer
Author: Maisy Fernandez
