Tyler Copeland

Jennifer Hudgens

WRD 110-055

October 21, 2015

In the article I chose about the benefits of membership and holding a leadership position has on your future life. In the line “This study was designed as an outcomes assessment and included 2,065 cases.”(Biddix, J. Patrick, Underwood, Rachel pg. 1). They conducted research to find what happens with the members after they have graduated and how holding whatever position they had has benefited them in the long run. the research showed that being involved has helped them in life, or they have become more involved in charity or donations. The article gives statistics on what percent contributed to which categories and the largest one being the undergraduate leadership role. The second and third were volunteering and donations.

Tyler Copeland

Jennifer Hudgens 

WRD 110-055

Tuesday, October 20

The article “Greek life not ‘animal house’” by Alexis Einerson is talking about how greek life is commonly called an animal house when it is actually the exact opposite. She states “With weekly meetings, philanthropic and academic obligations, free time can be a premium.”(Alexis Einerson pg. 1). Time is hard to come across with all of the things fraternities have you involved in is beneficial. You must use your time wisely and effectively when the time comes. Using your time to help the your society is always a good way to spend your time. Fraternities do a number of philanthropy events that benefit different charities and other events. Fraternities is a brotherhood not just something you join for parties.

Tyler Copeland 

Jennifer Hudgens 

WRD 110-055

12 October, 2015

Photo Essay 

I took a picture of the Sigma Alpha Eplison, and the Sigma Nu house. The SAE house is  the larger one in the front of the picture and the Sigma Nu house is in the background. These are only two of the twenty one in the community of fraternities on campus. This will be used in my presentation to represent a place where active members can meet and do whatever needs to be done at the time. The house is also symbol of community, and friendship. The people who live in the house are closer totheir brothers than ever before. This allows you to create relationships with people you may not have had one with before. Living in a fraternity house also helps your grades. You may have other brothers who have already taken a class or are currently in the class. Any way you look at it there are plus sides to living in a fraternity house. 

This is a picture of the Sigma Chi’s letters on the side of their fraternity house. The letters come from the greek alphabet, and when the letters are joined it represents a greek motto. The mottos usually go along with the core values of the fraternities. To some people the letters are nothing more than letters lost in the passing of time. To active members and alumni it means so much more. The letters bring the members together as one. If one person wears your letters they represent the entire chapter and what it stands for. If someone makes a mistake with letters on the whole chapter is held to a standard by those people. Wearing your letters should be something that you should be proud to do, and you need to monitor your actions. The alumni of fraternities do not forget about where they came from and how they got there.

This is a picture of the  library which is named after William T. Young, an alumni of The University of Kentucky and as well as an alumni of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. He also funded the money to build the nine million dollar Sigma Alpha Epsilon house. This is one of the many buildings that were funded by alumni of fraternities. Even alumni who have made billions come back for events to see the new members and old friends. Joe Kraft for example made billions off of a coal mining business and he comes back and gives words of wisdom to members. Having successful alumni can also set you up for future jobs or write references to other employers.

 
An article by Peter Jacobs, explains common misconceptions about fraternities. He explains a recent study at Loyola about how fraternities are less hostile towards woman than non-fraternity members. He also stated that on average fraternity members have higher GPA’s. This was proven in a study at The University of Nebraska. Along with this comes a higher graduation. He states “90% of fraternity/sorority members compared to 70% of non-affiliated students were enrolled during their senior year.”(Peter Jacobs pg. 1). Having people to study with and people who have experienced the class is helpful. It also helps people to become more diverse. You meet new people and make friendships that can never be broken. You learn to accept people for who they are and not what they look like. Creating this bond with people helps fight symptoms of depression and loneliness(Peter Jacobs pg. 1). Being in a fraternity you should never be by yourself, you should always have a brother that is willing to spend time with you.

Charity events are a main focus of fraternities. We try to raise money and help the community in any way we can. In the article it states “Greek students are more active on campus and in community activities. Upon graduation, these members are also more likely to get involved in volunteer and charitable activities.”("Fraternity & Sorority Life." Why Go Greek? N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.). This shows that the qualities we get from a fraternity are carried on through life. Being involved in greek life is something you will never forget, and the things you do for other people are the most important things you will do. The article also stated “For most Fraternity and Sorority members, their sisters and brothers become the closest friends they will ever have throughout college and beyond.”("Fraternity & Sorority Life." Why Go Greek? N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.). The bond you create with your brothers is everlasting. The guys who are in your class are people you would want to have in your weddings or be a part of other major events. Your bond can never be broken, even in the hardest times you have with your brothers. (801 words)

Work Cited 

Jacobs, Peter. "I Joined A Fraternity And It Was One Of The Best Decisions I Ever Made." Business Insider. Business Insider, Inc, 08 Jan. 2014. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.

http://www.businessinsider.com/dont-ban-fraternities-2014-1

"Fraternity & Sorority Life." Why Go Greek? N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.

http://www.hofstra.edu/studentaffairs/studentactivities/greek/greek_whygreek.html

1. Has living in the fraternity house strengthened your bond with your brothers, if so in what ways?

The difference of living in a dorm and living in my fraternity house is indescribable. Living with all of my brothers is such a cool thing. Being able to walk down the hall in any direction and see any one of my best friends is so much better than living in the dorms where I wasn't living with people I knew as well.

2.   Has being a member of a fraternity affected your academics?

Joining a fraternity has definitely impacted my academics in an extremely positive way. It has taught me how to manage my time in a productive and useful way. We have a library in out house, which provides our members with a quiet, comfortable space conducive to studying just down the stairs from the rooms. 

3.  What other benefits have you noticed while being in a fraternity?

Being in a fraternity has done so much for me in so many different ways. Socially, it has given me a group of friends with similar interests that i will have for the rest of my life. It has also taught me a lot about what it means to be a leader, and has given me countless opportunities to be a leader. I think that is one of the most underrated aspects of fraternity life, and doesn't get near enough attention. Fraternities build men who become leaders

4.   Has it been challenging to hold a position in student government and a fraternity?

In some ways yes. Being a part of several different organizations can be tough. Both are very time consuming and require a lot out of me. Each also stand for different things and give me different things in return.

I interviewed Micheal Gilligan, a member of the fraternity SAE. I asked him if living in the fraternity house has helped him to bond with his brothers, he said the difference is “indescribable”  from living in the dorms. Being able towel down the hall and see one of his best friends is something else he was keen on. despite popular beliefs he said living in the fraternity house has impacted his academics in a positive way. Time management is the main thing he learned from being in a fraternity. Having a library in the Fraternity house is another resource that is available to the members. I asked what other advantages there were and he said his social life, and it has taught him to be a leader. The most underrated thing about being in a fraternity is the amount of opportunities you get to shower leadership. Micheal holds a position in student government. I asked him if that was challenging to manage that and a fraternity at the same time, he said both are time consuming but both worth it.