Last week I referenced two examples of the Greek life stereotype still alive and well. I criticized the authors of these examples for portraying Greek students as “stupid” and shallow. Please don’t think for a moment I plan to renege on this just condemnation, however, this time my challenge goes out to the Greeks themselves.

This is what they think of us.

Non-Greeks find us obsessed with trivial matters, and on a broader scale to be alcoholic degenerates. Of course not all non-Greeks feel this way, but the ones that can actually voice their opinion do.

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And across North America fraternities and sororities deal with these same stereotypes. At some universities, the Greek population is influential enough to stand up for itself in the face of these attacks, but when the Greek population at SIUC comprises roughly 4 to 5 percent, the only rebuttal is a fifth-year senior on his way out.

Non-Greeks see us either as the privileged aristocracy who are so inferior in social skills we are reduced to paying for our friends, or (especially in the case of fraternities) mindless alcoholics whose main objective is some sort of drug-induced high or sleazily conning a female into bed.

It’s no surprise these stereotypes gained tremendous momentum on a national level with the 1978 release of “Animal House.” In my three and a half years as a member of the Greek community, and in meeting other Greeks from universities across North America, I find the stereotype to be predominantly true.

First and foremost, SIUC has very few of the first stereotype. Most of the Greeks I know at this campus have some sort of job to supplement their chapter dues and can’t rely on daddy to pay every bill. Please be aware we do not pay for our friends. Almost every organization has dues, and most of ours go toward insurance costs to offset the idiot behavior of a few.

This is not to mention the formals, socials, and special events which all cost money to hold. Secondly, the inherent fact that Greek men and women at SIUC are working with smaller budgets and still commit themselves to the Greek community proves a dedication other universities can’t enjoy. The second paradigm for Greek behavior on the other hand, is unfortunately mostly true.

“Fratastic” is a term that has been thrown around the fraternity world for the past few years. Basically it implies an overt conformity to the fraternity stereotype. When I go to Gatsby’s (commonly known as Fratsby’s), picking out the fraternity members in the room is not terribly difficult. They’re even easier to spot after 2 a.m. because they’re commonly sitting in the back of a police car.

This is the reality.

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Fraternities at SIUC are simply living the stereotype. The majority of them hold unregistered alcoholic functions at their chapter houses. They haze pledges. They’re rude and disrespectful to women. They have few social manners and are inconsiderate to other organizations. And they’re content with being in the fraternity and nothing else. This is the epitome of “fratastic” – the farthest thing from being gentlemen.

The girls are slightly better. But most of the time, the sorority members are the ones behind the scenes. There probably wouldn’t be many unregistered alcoholic functions if girls didn’t show up. For all the guys’ bad behavior, sorority members only reinforce it by laughing with/at them. Earlier this month, the Greek community squeezed into the Student Center to view a speaker on women’s rights. I knew right away very little of it would sink in for the guys (most of them left after signing the necessary form to get their chapter’s attendance requirement), but I hoped the girls were really the ones listening.

It’s up to you to stop degrading yourselves by participating in “fratastic” behavior. The less you egg the guys on, the less they’ll do it.

I hope members of the Greek community realize this is the unfortunate reality. When fights break out between fraternities, independents are watching and judging. They’re thinking in the back of their minds how happy they are that they never joined a frat, because that’s exactly what they see – frat, not a fraternity. There’s a huge difference. I personally would much rather strive to be a man of principle and integrity than a dude that can drink you under the table. Until the Greek community can shed this “fratastic” mentality, we will forever remain at 4 to 5 percent.

Senior, History Education and Cinema & Photography