Greek-Letter Organizations as Communities and the Decline in Local Civic Participation

Greek-letter Organizations as Communities and the Decline in Local Civic Participation

Jennifer Chapman

Communitarian Final

Pols5810

Luke Garrott

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Communities of choice are communities in which people choose to belong based on similar interest or values. Though people choose to be a part of these communities it doesn't make them any less of one. In some way all communities involve some choice. If they no longer meet some need then technically one does not need to continue to be a part of that community. One of the best examples of a community of choice is college fraternities and sororities and the role they play as a community and in their community. Greek-letter organizations were created for many reasons. Fraternities and sororities were originally founded as an intellectual escape from the over-preaching professors and expanding discussion that left the classrooms (Whipple 8). Eventually these groups led to more social, political, and fellowship. Students form such groups to feel like they belong to a community. Fraternities and sororities have been established to meet specific needs, culturally and academically. Some grew out of religious concerns, others out of educational concerns. Looking into the initial basis for their creation and looking at their history is crucial in understanding the local chapters' decline in civic responsibility. First it is important to look at what these organizations stand for and why they exist. After gaining an understanding of why they exist one should also examine what each chapter stands for nationally. Next it is necessary to examine the role greek-letter organizations play as a community and the role they play in communities. Once that is explained I will discuss the importance local chapters have in this, along with reasons for how and why there has been a decline in these organizations' involvement in the community.

Since the first higher educational systems were founded, students have formed groups and organizations to feel as though they belong and have a community (Whipple 7). There are many different types of fraternities: social, service, professional, and honorary. Fraternities and

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sororities have been established to meet specific needs, culturally and academically. Some grew out of religions concerns, others out of educational concerns. In the early American colleges, education was sometimes seen as oppressive. Eventually these groups led to more, social and political fellowship as well as grew into valuable tools for networking and community involvement. Still, these individual organizations share common interests and values. Being a part of an organization of "brothers" or "sisters" who care about your well-being helps to make campuses smaller (Baird, ix). Organizations such as these help to develop skills such as: organizational leaders, public speakers, community servants, and good citizens.

What the Greeks had actually achieved, what they had come to represent

over long years of association--historical continuity, venerable traditions,

rooted values, stability, institutional loyalties, vitality of collegiate culture,

leadership and stewardship, richly texturized community, an ethic of civic

responsibility and public responsibility and public service, and much else

besides--(Baird, I-5)

These organizations can be valued as proponents of civil servants in the current decline in civic humanism. The skills developed through the greek community provide a transition from their parents' house to the real world. Being greek is more than parties and alcohol. It's taking on leadership positions without being paid or receiving praise.

Once the Greek community began to expand, their involvement in their campus community grew. Depending on the chapter's core values their campus involvement differed. To maintain good relations with the campus and its greek organizations the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and the National Panhellenic Conference were formed to maintain and even

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increase ties with the chapter's host institution. According to the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) and the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC/), which exists to promote the values of and serve as an advocate for its member groups in collaboration with those members, campuses and communities. These organizations are considered umbrella organizations for greek-letter societies. Each member remains autonomous as a social Greek-letter society, while agreeing to observe all unanimous agreements that typically refer to pledging and recruitment. These organizations exist to promote a level playing field for all chapters. These councils relay both the chapters and the campus's current goings-on. Each chapter delegate would explain to the council what is going on with their fraternity or sorority, such as service projects or events. In turn, the campus is the organizations' link to other student associations on campus, scholarships, and issues within the university. In their purest form, these organizations represent personal growth and community service. Its members gained more than social connections; they also fostered a belief in strong campus and community involvement as well has maintaining a level of fun and networking. Their commitment to volunteering and bettering their campus as well as needy organizations was what made the greek community strong as well as something that people wanted and needed to be a part of. Members belonging to a national fraternity or sorority have specific privileges when visiting other chapters in the national fraternity. With the expansion/growth of fraternities and sororities, these organizations created a national top down structure. Each of these organizations has their own headquarters run by its alumni. Nationally, these organizations have a single focus; to foster friendship, intellectual and fraternal development, etc. They maintain rules and regulations for being non-profit organizations and oversee local chapters as well as ensure they are keeping its

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organizations values and standards. At