The Charlatan, Carleton's Independent Student Newspaper - Sept 16, 2004

Not Just a Bunch of Animals
A look at the fraternity and sorority life around Carleton

By JENNIFER WILSON

Popular culture has portrayed the fraternity in many ways, as seen in the movies The Skulls, Animal House and Legally Blonde. However, almost anyone actually involved in a fraternity or sorority will tell you those are inaccurate descriptions.

Pop culture has given frats and sororities a notorious reputation, yet for Brooke Hunter (back) and her sorority sisters, they are an essential part of university life (Michael Rajzman).You've seen them on TV and in movies. A secret society full of power; or a bunch of college guys playing pranks on the dean; or that infamous blonde and her pink-clad sisters. They are college fraternities and sororities.
Popular culture has portrayed the fraternity in many ways, as seen in the movies The Skulls, Animal House and Legally Blonde. However, almost anyone actually involved in a fraternity or sorority will tell you those are inaccurate descriptions.

"Animal House is the typical fraternity movie," says Shane Rose, a member of Sigma Pi. "I would not compare my fraternity experience with that."

Rose says while they do sometimes have stereotypical parties, their fraternity is much more. They do philanthropic events, like last year when Sigma Pi raised $2,500 for cancer research by shaving their heads. They also have numerous intramural sports teams at Carleton University.

"My average day is just like anyone else's," he says.

Brooke Hunter, vice president of the Pan-Hellenic Council, which contains members from Phi Sigma Sigma and Alpha Omicron Pi, says the only thing that's even close to the way sororities are portrayed in movies is the bond that is created.

"We have a very strong bond with our sisters," she says.

She makes a loose comparison to a scene in Legally Blonde when Elle's sisters help her study for the LSATs. "We're always there for each other. That's the only thing the movies get right," she says.

Hunter says every sorority has a charity they raise money for, and while they have social activities once a week, "academics come first." She says members have to maintain good academic standing. Because members come from different faculties in school, they can help each other with homework.

One of the biggest stereotypes associated with fraternities and sororities is excessive drinking, says Hunter.

"We have different rules because we are an international sorority," she says. "We have very strict alcohol rules. Drinking is never a sorority activity." But Patty Allen, a health educator with Carleton's Health and Counselling Services, says excessive drinking does happen with the student age group.

"Excessive doesn't mean frequency," she explains. "Students are drinking less frequently than they were two years ago, but when they drink, they over-drink."

Allen says she's noticed that a lot of the underage students she counsels for over-drinking got their alcohol at fraternity parties. She says it's easier to get alcohol at these places because they don't often check people's IDs.

Allen says there's a problem with encouraging large amounts of drinking at social events. "It increases your risk of harm. . . whether that be injury, sexual assault or alcohol poisoning," she says. Another stereotype surrounding fraternities and sororities is the rushing or recruitment of potential new members, or pledges.

Many movies show the hazing of new members who are forced to do degrading activities and called insulting names. Rose says rushing is different in Canada than what is portrayed in American movies. He says during recruitment they try to get their name out and tell people what their fraternity is all about. "We don't do any hazing," he says. Hunter agrees.

"There is absolutely zero tolerance for hazing. We have respect for each other." Hunter says they call it recruitment, not rush, and that no one is called a pledge, but a new member.

"The word 'rush' is derogatory," Hunter explains. "The word doesn't have a good reputation. People think of hard stuff and hazing, and we don't do that." To join a fraternity or sorority there is an initial payment, usually followed by annual dues. In Sigma Pi, for example, this initial payment is $300, plus another $350 for the yearly due.

"You have to break it down and see what you are paying for," Rose says. He says the money pays for things like the ticket to their annual formal and other social outings.

Hunter compares it to joining a soccer team, where you pay money for uniforms and transportation to games. Her sorority's dues include their formal each year, as well as their sorority pin, which is made of gold.

"We do social events every week and those cost money," she says. "With our dues, we're just paying for everything in advance." Hunter says another misconception is that fraternities and sororities are exclusive.

"We're not just the rich, snobby girls," she says. "We come from all over, with all different backgrounds, the sporty girls and the girlie girls. But that doesn't make us any less close." "I love it, and I'm glad I did it," says Rose.

Carleton fraternities and sororities have a fall recruitment starting in September. There will be information booths and sessions around campus, as well as some parties, for those who want to learn more.