Pillow fights, keg stands, and circle shaming—these are all things you might think of when you think about Greek life.
Movies like “Neighbors,” “Sorority Row” and “21 and Over” give people a false generalization about what Greek life is all about.
The stereotypes about Greek life make it seem that Greeks only like to party because that is what is shown on TV. Sure, there are some Greeks out there that do like to let loose and have fun, but so do non-Greeks and there is nothing wrong with that. There is so much more beyond the party, and so much more beyond the letters.
The perfect quote about being Greek is, “from the outside looking in you can’t understand it. From the inside looking out, you can’t describe it” (unknown). And that is so true. But here is a glimpse of what being Greek at Ferris is like.
Being Greek at Ferris is having a family. It’s having a familiar face to smile and wave at on your walk to class, it’s sitting next to someone in class wearing letters and becoming friends, even when the semester is over. They may not be wearing your letters, but it’s a bond that you both understand.
Being Greek at Ferris is being involved. Being Greek is a great way to start building leadership experience. More than half the Greek community, if not all members are involved in another organization on campus. Greeks members serve on Student Government, start their own Registered Student Organizations, are executive board members for other organizations and are even a director or committee member for the biggest volunteer opportunity in Michigan.
Being Greek at Ferris is giving back in more ways than imaginable. With seven sororities and eight fraternities, there is plenty of opportunity to give back to the community. That is 15 different charitable causes to help. Greeks at Ferris do not just donate their time and money to their own philanthropy; the Greek community at Ferris supports one another and works together to raise awareness for their individual philanthropies.
Being Greek at Ferris is being notable. The average GPA for sorority women this past year was a 3.036, while the Greek men’s average was a 3.03, and the all-student was a 2.91, according to the Panhellenic Sorority Grade Report. Greeks at Ferris take pride in their studies and have weekly study tables, or log their study hours.
Being Greek at Ferris is having a brotherhood/sisterhood. It’s having 20-40 friends that will go on a food run at 10 p.m. It’s having a friend that will help you study because they want to see you succeed. It’s having a friend to laugh, cry, stress or binge-watch the latest Netflix show with. It’s having a roommate. It’s having someone that will always be there, even after graduation.
Don’t fall for the stereotype. Don’t let the stereotype stop you from joining an organization much bigger than yourself. Do go Greek.