It’s Not All Greek To Me

Among the many clubs and organizations that have been strongly present on campus in the last couple of weeks, Greek life groups gather to offer membership to new students: either those who have never given it a thought or those still looking to find new opportunities for campus involvement. And for those who are not interested? Many in the Greek life community at Cal State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB) are constantly striving against the negative view that students have about fraternities and sororities.

Greek life has been given a negative view in cinematic recreations and stereotypical generalizations. Whether one has ever thought about joining a Greek organization, it is easy to assume most people have at least heard something negative about the groups. Due in part to Hollywood, fraternities and sororities have been branded as party central of the college campus life. Without doing further personal research or joining a Greek organization, the business and professional side of Greek life can remain unseen. “Especially at this campus, we are breaking stereotypes. Every organization is different but they all have high standards,” said Erin Hopper, sophomore, Liberal Studies, Delta Omega Rho.

Many at Greek life hope people will attend an overseeing council, where the stereotypes could be broken. At CSUMB, this council is the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) which consists of school staff officials as well as members of the Greek organizations on campus. MGC has established founding ideas which any fraternity and sorority wishing to be recognized on campus must adopt. The ideas focus on academics, service to the community, and culture.

According to Tim Bills, advisor of MGC and Director of Student Activities and Leadership Government, CSUMB’s MGC is the “only campus in the country that started with a multicultural focus for their Greek system.” The pride in this multicultural focus is apparent in what the Greek organizations have done on campus.

Greek members strive for diversity in each organization and the diversity can be seen in the presence of each organization on campus from the men of Kappa Alpha Psi and Gamma Zeta Alpha to the women of Lambda Sigma Gamma, Kappa Delta Chi, and Sigma Omega Nu. Greek members have also strived to be leaders on the CSUMB campus by taking part in and leading events for alcohol awareness, breast cancer awareness and more. This leadership is evident in the philanthropic works each organization is part of, according to Erin Hopper.

The MGC council, as well as each organization, can be considered a business. They strive for professionalism and a thorough understanding of all aspects concerning the organizations. This includes proper knowledge of Robert’s Rules of Order, keeping minutes and agendas, holding positions as well as the implementation of a council-created constitution, rules, and chapter bylaws that preside over every organization recognized by the school to be an official organization. Implementation of such constitutions or bylaws is intended to assure that each organization will have a set of rules to abide by regarding both becoming an official organization on campus and the behavior of their organization on campus.

Each organization can also offer camaraderie between its members and between each Greek organization on campus. This camaraderie can be seen during MGC meetings where the different organizations work together and communicate with each other in continuing their service to CSUMB and the surrounding communities and continuing their success in academics.

Despite the negative views that many may hold about Greek organizations, the fraternities and sororities of CSUMB constantly aim for acceptance and more positive support from the campus.

Tim Bills attests, “Although Greek organizations may not be an essential part of everyone’s college experience, they provide a viable opportunity for many students to contribute to their university, serve their communities, develop leadership skills, succeed academically, celebrate cultures, and create lifelong friendships and career networks.”