"Greek Life is the Party Life".

How many times have collegiate fraternities and sororities been compared to the wild, reckless lifestyle attributed to hardcore-partiers and college attendees here for the beer, and not for an education? Whether it's films starring Zac Efron (The Neighbors) or just a general taboo around the marred and darkened history of these organizations and instances of hazing, the life I've chosen to live garners quite the reaction from friends, family, and loved ones.

"Don't do anything you don't want to do...."

".....don't feel pressured just to 'fit in'......"

"Don't party all night when you have classes the next day!!!"

These statements I remember the most from when I first announced, proudly, that I was hoping to be accepted into Susquehanna's Phi Mu Delta fraternity; its prestige, honorable members, and plethora of engaging activities entertain the college community and bring together the campus in a family-friendly fashion. In fact, there was nigh a mention of drinking, drugs, and hazing of any sort. Yet, when I told others of my intentions, there was worry and hesitation among those who heard. Would I change who I am based on this new club? Would I even enjoy my time, or feel trapped in obligations?

I can honestly say my negative, stereotypical preconceptions of Greek life were terribly askew. In fact, the fraternity I joined not only employs a gentlemanly standard (ex. our "Sexy Thursdays" consist of us all donning formal attire throughout our daily activities), but also enforces a GPA standard requirement to join, and another to remain above or else they person is sentenced to "study hours" in a designated Study Room in the fraternity house. Bringing up the house, Phi Mu Delta embraces an amazingly vast and ancient house, as beautiful as it is large and imposing(though I may be a tad biased). Fraternities at SU, much like their respective sororities, take a great pride in how they dress, how they talk, and how they present themselves to society. As per described in my fraternity's creed:

"....recognize every man as my Brother....."

This ideology can be taken outside the brotherhood into the world of business, work, family, and civilian life itself. To recognize others as my Brother is to see them as allies, friends, and those who, in need, will receive our aid to the best our ability. While I do speak primarily from my perspective based on my own fraternity, the other Greek life groups on campus promote similar views on how they present themselves to the world at large.

The harmful viewpoint that fraternities and sororities are hard-partying, foul-mouthed, uneducated individuals is an outdated myth that should be long-forgotten. Along with this, there is often the assumption the Greek groups hold an air of elitism, though this is far from the case. Greek life is a way of embracing differences, and a coming-together of varied men(and women, in sororities' case) who share a similar vision of what they want for the future of this campus, and themselves.

The best way to combat these negative stereotypes is to recognize them as such: stereotypes, a figment of the most radical expressions of a subculture exhibited by only a few, given as a mass explanation for the thoughts of an entire group of peoples. By leaving this in the past, we can move forward knowing that not every man is identical to their neighbor, thought processes can be original, and one cannot hold preconceptions going into a new event.

I came into the college lifestyle not ever expected to be a 'Brother', but upon making my first friends, upstanding young men and women who dressed to impress, spoke with professionalism, and acting with maturity, I often found myself intertwined with those affiliated with Greek life. In the end, I've joined others on an enjoyable and powerful journey throughout my four years, joining a national organization spanning thousands across the United States of many Brothers, all eager to help those in need.

The greatest Greek tragedy of all, is that some people may be too blind to see that.