What it means to be Greek

Recently, some Greek-letter organizations on campus have gotten bad press. While the UIC InterFraternity Council will not comment on specific allegations, we want to separate ourselves from these events. The IFC represents eight fraternities of varying character, but let's be clear: Greek letters do not make a fraternity.

We are not a group of organizations fixed on drinking and parties, nor are we what you see in Animal House. A fraternity is an organization of men working toward a common goal. The fraternities within the IFC are social organizations, but our emphasis is on personal development, such as philanthropy, leadership, and cultural awareness.

For instance, Theta Xi hosts a biennial date auction open to all and raises over $3,000 for charity. Since its inception, the members of Omega Delta have embraced and championed the ideals promoted through the fraternity: education, respect, the importance of community, the greatness of shared experiences, and the value of diversity. Zeta Psi, the oldest national organization (founded in 1847) focuses on academic excellence, leadership, character, intellect and service. Phi Kappa Psi has national leadership conferences where successful alumni teach the virtues of leading with morals. Sigma Alpha Mu is dedicated to scholastics, athletics and community service. Sigma Lambda Beta, the largest Latino-based fraternity in the world, and Chi Sigma Tau, a fraternity dedicated to advancing the Asian culture, both promote cultural awareness. The newest IFC member, Tau Kappa Epsilon, believes that membership is based on the strength of one's character, not wealth or status.

It is apparent that each organization is different. However, each of them exists to create better men after graduation. The best tool we have in this regard is our accountability. Each national organization has insurance, a national chapter advisor, and a national board to govern conduct and watch over chapter operations. Our personal conduct becomes a reflection on our chapter, and we are not allowed to forget it. In short, we are held accountable by people who are far more involved than the University.

Between national officers and local alumni, each fraternity has hundreds of people invested in keeping the undergraduates on track. We are held to standards higher than those of most UIC organizations where the University and our faculty advisor play a small role in chapter operations. We must submit documents including grades, meeting minutes, descriptions of events, and other evidence demonstrating we meet the standards of membership. If we fall short, we lose our charter and right to call ourselves members.

There is of course that social aspect of being in any fraternity, but it is by no means the main focus for our motives and actions. We are here to better ourselves and the community around us. We want to change the common perception of fraternities as people who only party. It is unfortunate that those who still hold this stereotype think that putting Greek letters on their shirts gives them an excuse to be irresponsible. There are many Greek-letter organizations on campus, both national and local, in the IFC or not, who value traditions and moral conduct, and it is our plight that the few who treat letters with disrespect ruin it for the rest of us.