To the outside world, Greek life is often looked at as a social system that revolves around beer pong and hooking up. Even school administrators, who know so much more about what members of the Greek community actually do, seem to be quick to punish and disband fraternities for any possible reason. 

However, Greek life is one of the best ways to bring a college campus together, to raise money or volunteer for a good cause. When it comes to philanthropy, fraternities and sororities use their social influence for good, not negativity.

Every sorority and fraternity in the country has a national philanthropy that they support, as well as other organizations that they do service for at any opportunity possible. They all have a proud history of making a difference in important causes, like Zeta Tau Alpha's Think Pink campaign that has spent decades promoting breast cancer education and awareness throughout the country.

At Vanderbilt, every sorority and fraternity has an official philanthropy event each semester, to raise money for their causes. These events make donating money and spreading awareness fun because everyone, whether they are in a sorority, fraternity or not, can participate and have a good time.

One of the best examples of the magic of fraternity power is Derby Days. This is a fundraiser that chapters of the Sigma Chi fraternity put on at many universities. Sororities compete against each other, throughout the week, in events like a dance competition, and in raising money. At Vanderbilt, online donations for Derby Days raised almost $30,000 last year, half of which went to the Leukemia And Lymphoma Society, and the other half went to each sorority's selected cause. This was just a portion of the money that was raised that week. The key to raising so much money for multiple organizations was the motivation of competition between the sororities. 

A more recent example at Vanderbilt, of the power of Greek life, is the annual Lights On The Lawn fundraiser --  a concert with multiple acts that raises money for a different cause each year, and is put on by the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Vanderbilt Programming Board. Instead of using competition as a motivator, the IFC uses unity and entertainment to raise money for their cause. With all 14 IFC fraternities dedicated to one important cause, it is impossible for the student body not to notice and get involved. This year's online donations for Lights On The Lawn raised $34,000 for the Mary Parrish Center, and that does not even count the ticket money.

It is amazing how influential fraternities and sororities can be on a college campus, and one must remember that their power is used for good causes.