Myles, member of a CU fraternity:
Q:Why did you join a fraternity?
A:Social networking, and a real 'college experience'
Q:Did your parents mind?
A:My dad didn't care much, but my mom did at first. If my dad wasn't able to convince her otherwise, I probably wouldn't be in a fraternity now.
Q:Did your friends in the dorm rush, and did that help you make your decision?
A: My room mate and 3 guys on the floor all rushed, it solidified his resolve.
Q:What was your friends reaction to you rushing, and did that strain your relationship in any way?
A:They were all surprised as hell, but it changed nothing. If anything, they saw it as a way to get into a party.
Q:Before or when you were rushing, did you feel that there was a specific stereotype to fit into the Greek system?
A:Uh, no I felt who I hung around didnt make me need to change anything about myself and I didnt feel pressured to do so either.
Q:What is your favorite thing about being in a fraternity?
A:Free beer. Just kidding, I'd have to say brotherhood and a sense of camaraderie - and the free beer.
Q:If you could tell someone not in a fraternity about Greek Life what would you say?
A:There's no way to describe it without experiencing it. Animal house wont give it justice, the media wont give it justice.
Q:If a freshman was to ask you about rushing what would you say?
A:It's the greatest choice you could make, it will expand you socially and as an individual. It's easy to see it as paying for friends, but honestly the bond we share is unlike anything I've experienced before
Q:Is there anything that bother’s you about the Greek system?
A:Sometimes it plays into stereotypes, some houses more than others, and they dont do justice to the greek system overall.
~~~~~
Aaron, freshman at CU and independent of Greek system:
Q:Did you ever rush or consider rushing the Greek system at CU?
A:Not in particular, and I doubt I will in the future.
Q:Why not?
A:The Greek system simply doesn't appeal to me much. I think it builds character to achieve your own social status without the training wheels of some greek letters. Frats, brotherhoods, or whatever else they like to be called are kind of like high school football teams without any football.
Q:Do you feel that the Greek community on your campus can be stereotyped?
A:Yes, but we have so many reported and unreported date-rapes and other things of that nature, that a certain level of stereotyping is warranted.
Q:Overall, do you feel that Greek society is beneficial to the university community?
A:Sort of, certain institutions can be very beneficial to the area, while others can leech off of an area.
Q:Upon thinking of negative aspects of the Greek community, what comes to mind first?
A:Exclusiveness, taking advantage of women, drunkenness, irresponsibility, hazing, mob mentality, bandwagoning, bullying, poor health and hygiene, and wearing suits once a week in public to try and hide all that.
Q: Can you think of any positive aspects?
A: Job-related and social networking, opportunity for volunteer work, stress relief, cheap housing, and entertainment.
It is curious to see the radically different viewpoints offered by two students at CU, one who rushed a fraternity, and is currently a sophomore, and another who is just completing his first fall semester. On one hand we have a very negative perspective of Greek life; a perspective of one who has had little experience in college or the Greek system. On the other hand, an opposite perspective is put forth by a fraternity member. There is no denying bias on both sides of the issue, but it might be curious to interview Aaron again in the future to see if his view changes as he progresses through college.
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