The greek debate battles on

The greek debate battles on

Fraternities may not have universal appeal, but members say
their houses provide academic, social support

By Jennifer Louie

Daily Bruin Contributor

Among the many decisions that confront students on campus is the
decision of whether or not to "go greek."

While some students linger indecisively before deciding whether
or not the greek system is for them, others dive in with
certainty.

Students cited various factors that influence whether they
decide to pledge or remain "independent."

Tim Howell, a member of the Sigma Pi fraternity, explained that
he had not planned on rushing when he was first exposed to greek
life. He admitted that the flyers of steak and lobster dinners
first attracted him to his fraternity.

Though she was leery of his decision to rush, Howell’s mom
approved of his decision when he informed her of the fraternity’s
gourmet dinners.

"She knew I’d be fed well," Howell said. His indulgence in the
fraternity’s New York steaks have since caused him to gain a few
pounds, he said.

Other greeks, such as Vicki Korn, a Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority
member, make the decision to join the greek system immediately in
order to more easily acclimate to the university’s large
campus.

Korn said she was at first intimidated by the expanse of the
campus, but going greek has made getting used to life at UCLA
easier.

Some greek members admit that the greek system did not appeal to
them initially. When Monica Taramillo, public relations chair for
Alpha Delta Pi, caught her first glimpse of greek life during last
year’s fall rush, she thought it was intimidating and
unappealing.

As the first of her family to enter the greek system, Taramillo
admitted that the rush process scared her.

"I was afraid it would take over my life," Taramillo said. A
freshman at the time, her reservations caused her to reject the
rush process.

By spring quarter, Taramillo felt more involved with the campus.
She decided that she wanted to experience new things, so she gave
the greek system another chance this fall. The greeks accepted her
with open arms, Taramillo said.

Though this is only her second quarter in her sorority house,
Taramillo said she has become quite attached to her sorority
sisters, a common sentiment among members of the greek system.

"We’re complete strangers, yet we’ve grown to really dig on each
other," Taramillo said.

Now, Taramillo says she cannot imagine not being a part of the
greek system.

"I gave my time at UCLA, not being in (the greek system), and I
didn’t like it. I feel so much more complete now," Taramillo said.
"I would do anything for any of the girls in the (sorority)
house."

Although the greek system is alluring to a large segment of the
campus community, other students’ exposure to greek life caused
them to stay away from the system.

"It’s a drunken meat market," claimed Robert Noren, a junior
transfer student majoring in English. Noren said he discovered
greek life "wasn’t his scene" after attending a few rush
activities.

Tim Niu, a mechanical engineering alumnus, said the greek system
appealed to him at the outset because it seemed fun. But Niu said
he was later turned off by the pretense he saw from some fraternity
members.

"Under the cloak of ‘brotherhood,’ there is a sense of needing
to belong and a fear of being your own person," Niu explained. "I
like to be my own person, make my own decisions."

Niu disagreed with friends who joined fraternities because they
did not believe they would make friends on their own without
joining the system.

Still other students claimed they never considered going greek
at all.

"I’d much rather form my own relationships, rather than forced
relationships," reasoned Stephenie Perez-Glas, a fourth-year
psychology student.

Perez-Glas added that she doesn’t like to be surrounded solely
by people from one age group, as sororities offer, but prefers an
environment of diverse ages.

Wally Deburgh,

a fourth-year cognitive science student, explained that he is
glad he never pledged a fraternity because he has changed a lot
over the last four years – and he doesn’t believe that the greek
system would have evolved with him.

Although some students ultimately decide that the greek system
is not for them, others who have joined have become quite confident
that they have made the best decision for themselves.

Jennifer Faucher, Alpha Chi Omega member, said the social aspect
of greek life appealed to her most. Faucher said she now enjoys the
friendships, date parties, exchanges with fraternities and raves
her sorority offers.

Taramillo said Alpha Delta Pi has provided her with the
sisterhood she was in search of.

Taramillo said she is thankful that her sorority sisters fulfill
their sisterly responsibilities when she has "had too much fun
(drinking)." When this is the case, her sorority sisters will
faithfully take away her car keys and provide her with water.

"Whenever you need, someone will pick you up, no matter what
time it is," explained Taramillo.

While many are attracted to greek life for its
brother/sisterhood, others are simply looking for a way to meet
people.

Abel De La Cruz said Theta Delta Chi has provided him with great
things to do and more opportunities to meet people.

De La Cruz described an unforgettable experience when he
accompanied his fraternity on one of its annual Winnebago trips to
Las Vegas and Stanford.

Howell also claimed he enjoyed a fraternity Winnebago trip to
Baltimore. He said he probably would not be participating in these
types of activities if he were an "independent."

"I’ve learned how to deal with people better, how to compromise.
I’ve grown up here (in the fraternity) and I now have a more adult
frame of mind," Howell said.

Many greek members pledge in order to take advantage of the
networking available through the greek system. Taramillo said she
has been offered great job opportunities from Alpha Delta Pi
alumnae.

Taramillo’s sorority also updates her on internship
opportunities, which come in handy because she aspires to enter the
film industry.

Korn appreciated the academic support that her sorority
provides. "No matter what class you need help in, others have taken
it and are willing to help," Korn said. She believes that this
benefit of greek life probably helped her GPA.

Rocky Goldberg, public relations chair for Pi Kappa Alpha
fraternity, said part of the reason he pledged was to service the
community like he did in high school.

Goldberg said that the service their house does for the
community, such as feeding the homeless and graffiti paint-outs,
allows its members to get to know each other better while helping
others.

"It s amazing how serving food can make you bond," Rocky
said.

Howell also took pride in Sigma Pi’s philanthropic activities,
which include feeding the homeless on Santa Monica Boulevard
weekly.

"Our philanthropic efforts crush the rest of the campus’ efforts
collectively," Howell claimed. His fraternity feeds 500 homeless
people every week. In addition, Howell said Sigma Pi raises
thousands of dollars every year for a multiple sclerosis fund.

Many members agreed that the only negative aspect of "going
greek" is the negative connotations associated with the system.

"Many people think all we do is party, and that we’re
misogynistic and racist. It’s horseshit," Howell said.

Howell said that campus stereotypes of fraternities have gotten
in the way of potential friendships. He said that stereotypes cause
professors to be biased because they believe fraternity members
represent these hedonistic values.

Taramillo said one professor once spoke to her as if she was a
4-year old because she was wearing greek letters. She felt her
mistreatment was due to the unscholastic stereotype of sorority
women. Korn said she is often hesitant to tell people she is in a
sorority because a large segment of UCLA looks down upon the greek
system.

While some greeks may not actively try to counteract these
stereotypes, Pi Kappa Alpha President Mike Walters said his
fraternity works hard to confront negative stereotypes about
fraternities.

"Many negative things are said about fraternities that are
valid. Instead of being a ‘frat,’ we aim to be a fraternity,"
Walters explained.

Walters added that his house encourages its members to be
gentlemen.

"If a girl needs to be walked home, we’ll take her at any time,"
Walters said.

SUSIE CHU/Daily Bruin

Pi Kappa Alpha members Rocky Goldberg, Tyler Hines, Houdin
Honarvar and Mike Walters at the L.A. Mission.

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