Those bed sheets spread across campus aren’t just eyesores, they advertise the annual event known as “Meet the Greeks”. Every year, the Pan-Hellenic council and the Interfraternity Council join forces to host the event where students interested in “going greek” can find out what greek life on campus is all about.

Many people hold the assumption fraternities do nothing more but host parties, get drunk, and hit on women. Unfortunately for some freshmen looking for just that, it isn’t true. Greeks play a vital role in the university community.

A power point presentation at the event listed three qualities that greek men and women must exemplify. They have to be smart. According to Pan-Hellenic Recruit Chair Randi Erin Snow, the GPAs of brothers and sisters exceed all women’s or men’s campus averages. Each Fraternity and Sorority has a minimum GPA standard to maintain membership as well as having established study hours.

Diversity was another value held in high regard. The presentation claimed that fraternities have the most diverse populations than any other group on campus.

Finally, responsibility was stressed. There is a moral standard that must be met by everyone. Rushees are informed that it isn’t a walk in the park to be a brother. You take on certain responsibilities, for instance community service.

Rodger Guerrero, a sophomore studying criminal justice, joined Sigma Alpha Mu for just that reason.

“You learn responsibilities and real-life situations,” Guerrero said. “I joined SAM because of the community service they do and the awards they’ve won because of it.”

Matt Peterson, also a sophomore, said that becoming a Tau Kappa Epsilon he learned a few things he otherwise normally wouldn’t of had a chance to. “You deal with people you wouldn’t normally. You deal with duties that are put upon you.” Peterson said.

Fraternities are not at home playing beer-pong, at least not all the time. According to Darrel Lavigne, a member of IFC, 90 percent of the leadership positions held on campus are held by greeks. Lavigne said greek life is about leadership and involvement.

We’ve all seen the after school specials where pledges are forced to drink huge quantities of alcohol and eventually die from alcohol poisoning or some other idiotic event that is used to prove their dedication to the fraternity they wish to join. These acts are referred to as hazing. In the state of Florida, hazing is not legal and it was made a point to stress the fact that hazing is not tolerated at UWF.

So if fraternities aren’t about keg stands and partying all night, why join? The entire basis of the idea fraternity, and the root of the word, is brotherhood.

“These are the people that will make your experience at UWF,” Justin Mahoney, President of Alpha Tau Omega, said. “These are going to be the people at your wedding…the people that will be god parents to your children.”

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