The Charlatan, Carleton's Independent Student Newspaper - Sept 29, 2007

Frats and sororities hit campus with recognition from CUSA
CUSA forms Greek Council, recognizes fraternity and sorority houses on Carleton campus

By MAGGY MA

Fraternities and sororities will be stepping out of the shadow this fall at Carleton.

The Carleton University Students’ Association (CUSA) has offered fraternities and sororities formal recognition on campus through the creation of the Greek Council, a club representing four fraternities and two sororities. “There was no recognition of [fraternities and sororities] whatsoever through us or through the university prior to this,” said Brittany Smyth, CUSA vice-president (internal affairs).

Smyth is also one of the people who will sit on the council. The council is aimed at promoting activities and events hosted by fraternities and sororities to erase the stereotypes of those social organizations at universities, said Smyth.

“[Greek Council] gives them the opportunity, as fraternities and sororities, to show people [...] the things that they get involved in,” she said. “It gives them the chance to take part at the university as a Greek community.”

Although fraternities and sororities have now been given formal status by CUSA, the university administration has made no move towards recognizing these groups on campus, she said.

“We’re hoping to get recognition through the administration and not just be a club or society, but something unique — just for Greeks,” said Corinne Woods, president of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority.

Tony Phillips, vice-president of the Acacia fraternity house and Greek Council president, said people might be hesitant to accept fraternities and sororities as a part of university life because of the way they are commonly portrayed in Hollywood movies.

He said he is adamant about working to stamp out these misconceptions.

“I think when people start to see the positive aspects that Greek life has, not only on individual students, but at the Carleton campus and the Carleton community, people will start to realize that maybe they’re judging a way of life a little too quickly.”

Phillips, along with Carlos Chacon, vice-president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity, said fraternities and sororities are like support systems of brothers and sisters helping each other gain the best possible university experience.

Phillips and Chacon both said the majority of these social organizations have fundamental principles that lie in scholarship and leadership, and participate extensively in charity events and community service.

“Philanthropy and community service events are a part of our standards of membership,” said Chacon, who said he recently participated in both the Carleton and Ottawa AIDS walk, and is already planning a Mooney Bay’s clean-up with his fraternity.

“We take philanthropy and charity and community service very seriously. ”Phillips said it is not going to be easy resolving the ongoing stereotypes people have about fraternities and sororities. He added that he understands it will take time to change peoples’ minds. “It’s small steps, but it’s steps forward,” said Phillips.