FRATERNITY

1.a local or national social organization of male students usu. with secret initiation and rites and a
name composed of Greek letters.
2. a group of persons associated by or as if by ties of brotherhood.
3. any group or class of persons having common purposes or interests.
4. an organization of laymen for religious or charitable purposes; sodality.
5. the quality or state of being brotherly; brotherhood.

BROTHERHOOD
1. the condition or quality of being a brother or brothers.
2. the quality of being brotherly; fellowship.
3. a fraternal or trade organization.
4. all those engaged in a particular trade, profession, pursuit, etc.
5. the belief that all people should act with warmth and equality toward one another.

The benefits of joining a fraternity or sorority are many, and it's important to realize that Greek life in
college has a lot of impressive things to offer. It's also important, however, to realize that there might
be some challenges. So just what do you need to be aware of before officially pledging?
1. You might be stereotyped by your fellow students. Even if you had a great impression of
fraternities and sororities before you came to college -- and an even better one once you learned
about all the great initiatives your school's Greek organizations do -- not all students share the same
perception. Ignorant or well-informed, your fellow students might stereotype you once they know you
belong to a certain Greek house. And while there might not be much you can do about that, it's
important to at least keep in mind.
2. You might be stereotyped by faculty. You might be having an amazing, life-changing
experience as a member of your fraternity or sorority. But your professors -- who were, after all,
college students themselves once -- might not have had as great of an experience during their own
undergraduate years. Or they could have had problems in the past with students from your particular
organization. While you are your own person and should be judged accordingly, just be aware of the
perceptions some faculty members might have about how you spend your time outside of class.
3. You might be stereotyped by future employers.While your Greek organization might be
dedicated to, say, the study of biology or to social justice, an employer might not realize that while
quickly skimming resumes. And while belonging to a fraternity or sorority with a large network can be
an incredible asset, there might also be some challenges along the way.
4. Being an active member can be a major time commitment. Does this necessarily have to be a
drawback to membership in your house? Of course not. But it is something to be aware of in advance,
especially if you struggle with time management or you know that your time is going to be extremely limited
during your college years.
5. Joining a fraternity or sorority can be expensive. While there often are scholarships available
to students who need them to remain members of their Greek community, there's no guarantee those
scholarships are going to come through. If finances are tight, make sure you are aware of what financial
obligations you'll have to your house. Ask about joining fees, dues, and other expenses -- such as
helping fund an annual event -- that you'll be responsible for.
6. There can be strong personality conflicts. This, of course, is inevitable whenever you're
involved with a group of people. And you'll undoubtedly encounter personality conflicts in everything
from your Chemistry study group to your rugby teammates. Keep in mind, however, that personality
conflicts in a fraternity or sorority can get especially tense, given that people spend so much time
together and often live in a shared space for several years in a row.
7. You may sometimes feel stuck in a routine of and commitments to your organization.This
year's Halloween party might seem like the most amazing thing ever. But after working on it for
months in advance, three years in a row, the Halloween party during your senior year might lose
some of its luster. There can be ways to branch out and try new things within your fraternity or
sorority, and a good one will encourage you to do so. Just be aware of what it will mean to pledge the
rest of your college experience to one particular group.

Stories about hazing, underage drinking and even rape in fraternity houses are commonplace,
and they might dissuade you from joining one. But fraternities also offer strong benefits, both to
their members and to the larger college community. Before joining, potential members should
carefully consider the reputation and mission of the fraternity. If you do join, you can help make
sure these negative situations don't happen. College administrators, parents and students can all
help maintain a healthy fraternity culture by reporting and investigating violations and
questionable practices.
Drinking and Parties
Many fraternities have regular parties with lots of alcohol. This can pose a serious risk of
underage drinking, and it can increase the likelihood of crimes such as date rape. For fraternity
brothers who are old enough to drink, however, drinking at the fraternity house can be safer than
drinking at a bar and then attempting to drive home. These parties also have some advantages --
they help students meet people and develop social skills. For shy students, the parties associated
with fraternity life can be a way to come out of their shell.
Pledging and Friendship
The pledging process is the when potential members decide if they want to become full
members. Fraternity members often test pledges or require them to perform favors. The stressful
pledging process can help pledges get to know one another, establishing close bonds of
friendship. But pledging can also have a dark side. Hazing is a problem in some fraternities, and
some students have even died during hazing rituals. Students who join the fraternity and who do
not endure hazing, however, may develop lifelong bonds with their fraternity brothers.
Fraternities can provide networking opportunities, and some fraternities hold regular reunions.
Housing
Dorm living requires students to live in close quarters, often with someone they don't know and
may not like. At many fraternities, however, members can opt to live in the fraternity house with
a group of people they know well and like. This is a strong incentive for many students to join a
fraternity, but because some fraternity houses are located off-campus, campus administrators
may not be able to enforce housing rules among students living in a fraternity house.
Academic Life
Many fraternities have an explicit commitment to helping their members achieve good grades,
and they may have mandatory study halls or opportunities for students who excel to tutor
students who are struggling. However, fraternities sometimes become involved in cheating by
keeping old papers or old tests for members to use. The partying often associated with fraternity
life can make it difficult for students to get good grades if they're not strongly motivated to get
up and go to class.
Community Involvement
Most fraternities require that members participate in some variety of community service, often
with a specific charity that the fraternity supports. This gives members an opportunity to give
back to their community and to get to know community leaders. Fraternity-sponsored school
events give fraternity members a chance to meet non-members and to give back to their school.

Fraternities and sororities make up what is commonly referred to as the Greek
community in colleges. Social experiences, community involvement, activities and peer
relationships are among the reasons students join frats or sororities. Despite these
motives, Greek life can present drawbacks that might negatively affect the college
experience for some students.
Limited Social Reach
Fraternities and sororities are formal communities intended to provide a home and support system for
members. In some cases, tightly knit houses could limit the ability of students to branch out and
develop relationships with other students. In less diverse frats or sororities, this prevents
opportunities to get to know a diverse group of people. Getting to know the nature of the house and
understanding the social expectations might help avoid this hurdle.
Expenses
College is a major investment even without getting involved with Greek life. When you pledge,
initiation fees ranging from a few hundred to thousands of dollars are common. You also normally
pay dues to the frat or sorority house each semester or year. More optional or unofficial costs could
be pervasive, as well. Social events and activities might lead to more money spent on clothing and
supplies.
Dangerous Behaviors
While some colleges have attempted to curb the traditional perception that Greek life is party central,
fraternities and sororities still are commonly involved in lots of parties and drinking. Hazing, which
commonly takes place during rush week for new pledges, is notorious for heavy drinking and parties.
This can lead to physical risks for those involved as well as pose dangers to others if members drink
and drive. Plus, underage house members face risks of alcohol-related legal charges if parties get out
of hand.
Academic Distractions
Some Greek houses have strict academic standards and encourage students to use study tables and
academic resource centers. However, frats and sorority involvement can be extremely time-
consuming. Members often plan and participate in formal dances, dinners and events. They also have
ample opportunities for informal social activities on and off campus. These distractions are especially
challenging for freshmen who haven't yet learned how to balance classes, study time, work and social
activities.