Greek mythology: Fraternity fact or fiction

Q: How much do you think it costs to be in a fraternity?

 

NON-GREEK: Maybe in the 2,000’s or 3,000’s.

Timmy Tran, freshman

GREEK: It differs for different fraternities. Average I think about $100 a month. If you live in the house, it is more. Also there, is a fee when you join.

Caleb Davis, junior, Delta Upsilon

 

Q: What is connection between fraternities and parties?

 

NON-GREEK: I think of beer pong, solo cups and partying every night.

Chris Friling, junior

GREEK: A fraternity is never solely about parties. Alpha Alpha Inc., was actually started out as a study group so that is our main focus—to focus on academics. Parties are just to celebrate your success in college life.

Devon Lockard, senior, Alpha Phi Alpha

 

Q: Do you think there is stigma about the fraternity houses?

 

NON-GREEK: I used to think they were really strict and all rules but then I also thought they were just parties. Then I actually visited them and now I know they are just a group of people who want to help each other out.

Dominic Gonzalez, freshman

GREEK: I think there is a stigma that fraternities are just about partying, but our members are motivated and have leadership experience in many different areas.  

Preston Maus, junior, Sigma Phi Epsilon

 

Q: Do you think Greeks get good grades?

 

NON-GREEK: Depends on the fraternity. There are some fraternities that focus more or less just on school and there’s other fraternities that focus on social events.

Austin Schneider, freshman

GREEK: I’ve actually seen the statistics and I think some of the houses do better than others, but overall it is about average. Some score above average and some score below average.

Matthew Slagle, junior, Phi Delta Theta

Q: What do you think is the purpose of being Greek?

 

NON-GREEK: I think it is a great way for students to get involved on campus. It provides them with a network of peers that may be like-minded.

Saajan Bhakta, freshman

GREEK: Just the benefits you get out of it both socially and academically, I think. You have brothers to fall back on.

Tyler Moore, senior, WSU transfer student from KU’s Pi Kappa Phi

 

Q: Is there rivalry between the fraternity houses?

 

NON-GREEK: Not much, not much that I know of. 

Marco Tecchelly, senior

GREEK: I don’t think it is as much as a rivalry as a misunderstanding between houses. I think stories getting misconstrued between them. There are always going to be people saying, “Oh, I don’t like so and so.”

Tucker Pivonka, junior, Beta Theta Pi

 

Q: Why do you think greek fraternities have secrets?

 

NON-GREEK: I think that greek organizations make it seem exclusive and being in the group is a privilege and to make it seem like something that you want to be a part of. 

Ryan Schrader, junior

GREEK: It is what really keeps us together. It is a like a special bond that we have that is not shared with other people.

Kiet Tran, senior, Chi Sigma Tau