The Greek system at Wichita State is as untraditional as the school itself.

 Greeks make up roughly 5 percent of the overall student population, but there are exciting things on the horizon for us as well as the university.

The Interfraternity Council, the governing body for the men’s social fraternities on campus, has struck a deal with David Stollman, a renowned public speaker and a legend among Greeks. In return for Stollman’s help in building up the fraternities, he gains the right to bring in two new chapters, with the overall goal of increasing Greek membership.

A stronger Greek system means a more social atmosphere on campus, more ways for new students to get involved and more money for our community and philanthropies.

My own fraternity, Pi Kappa Phi, owns and operates our own non-profit organization called Push America. It raises money and awareness for people with disabilities. As a service-based fraternity, our chapter, which came to campus in November, envisions a PUSH club on campus that allows everyone, Greeks or non-Greeks, to get actively involved in PUSH’s mission. It’s a mission that will come to fruition as the Greek system grows with the university, but we can’t do it without the support of the student body.

Pi Kappa Phi, along with the rest of the Greek community, is aware of the stereotypes. We are aware of the concerns: the hazing, the binge-drinking, the dangers, and we are choosing to challenge them head-on to show the student population that as Greek Life grows along with the university — because believe me, it already has — there will be benefits.

Before I joined a fraternity, I could not have been more opposed to it, but two things happened to me at the start of this year that changed my mind. First, I made a new year’s resolution to try new things and get more involved. Secondly, I decided to stop drinking. Pi Kappa Phi was the first new organization I found, and the first group of new people I met who actively supported my sobriety.

 I found a family, and with them, I am excited to see Greek Life at WSU transform, and I hope that the rest of the student body, some of whom might be as opposed to it as I once was, will join us.