For years, greeks around the nation have been seeing a steady decline. They have seen chapters dissolved and brothers jailed, expelled or killed - or so the press would have you believe because, hey, there's no news like bad news, right?
Well, what about the millions of dollars raised each year for philanthropies, or the hundreds of thousands of hours spent giving back to local communities for the sheer sake of the betterment of society? What about the countless business and political leaders who developed their skills and passions through their collegiate fraternity experiences?
So why spoil the whole basket when there are just a couple of bad eggs? Why is there so much negative press for greeks?
All notable groups or industries can find themselves with similar problems, as we have seen through the Enron and WorldCom debacles and throughout society as a whole. Even here at Ball State University, we have seen a steady decline in the number of fraternities and quality organizations on campus.
Er, wait.
Someone forgot to mention the three new fraternities that were extended invitations to bring chapters to Ball State. Someone forgot to mention the two vacant fraternity houses that were filled and the others that are moving or soon to be filled. Someone forgot to mention the leadership of Ball State greek members in almost every organization and college on this campus. Someone forgot to mention the fact that being involved in a fraternity or sorority on this campus correlates with a higher-than-average grade point average.
What about the countless hours and dollars raised through efforts by our Ball State greek philanthropy events, such as Watermelon Bust, Mr. Phi-nominal, the Dance Marathon, Battle of the Sexes, WaterDaze and countless others?
Maybe I missed something, but isn't this going against everything we've ever heard that's bad about greeks. Greeks on this campus have begun working together - along with the faculty, administration, student government and the Muncie community - to reach their common goals. This community is growing stronger every day as you can see for yourself by walking into an Interfraternity Council or Panhellenic Council meeting held every Thursday afternoon in the L.A. Pittenger Student Center.
Long ago, our forefathers established fraternities as groups of leaders, philosophizers and humanitarians organized with the common purpose for the betterment of their peers, society and the world.
If you haven't noticed yet, here at Ball State we are reaffirming this purpose.
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