How do parent feel about Greek Life?

Hunt
Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:46:27 +0000

I admit to finding this conversation a little disorienting, after reading all these stories of students who benefitted so much from Greek life, where the selection system was “mutual,” where they didn’t drink that much, where they were all studious, etc. Are the stories I read in the papers of frats closed down for hazing, of alcohol poisoning, destruction, etc., just made up? Or maybe the kids (and parents) involved in those “bad” frats and sororities just don’t post on CC?

To me, the question for a prospective student is this: what effect does Greek life at the particular school have on the overall social life of the school? Does it promote social hierarchy and exclusion and a party scene that concentrates on binge drinking and random hook-ups? Or is it more like the benign version I keep reading about here? Obviously, you have to look at the specific colleges that interest you. But you’re going to have to probe a bit deeper than just asking people who are in or out of Greek life.

Let me just say, finally, that while there have been plenty of generalizations in this thread, on both sides, it seems particularly wacky to generalize based on what goes on at MIT, of all places.