Issues Facing Greek Leaders

Greek leaders face many challenges as members of fraternities and sororities. Several Order of Omega leaders recently identified issues on their campuses and across the Greek world. Among the problems mentioned most often by the students was the negative portrayal of Greeks by non-Greeks and administrators. As Al Boulware (Kansas) said: "Ever since the making of Animal House, people have viewed Greeks as they were portrayed in that movie. I would have to say that this view of the Greek system has not helped the relationship between Greeks and non-Greeks."

Moreover, Barb Rosier (Missouri-Kansas City) acknowledged that "it is true that negative stereotypes often are not totally unfounded." "Membership numbers have dropped, scholastic averages are lower than before, and it seems as if at least one house gets in trouble for some activity that it participated in each weekend," commented Julie Wilkes (Marietta). "These are all elements that rushing freshman see. Many administrators and the campus community still believe that Greek life is nothing but substance abuse and hazing."

"Hazing and alcohol-related incidents often overshadow the numerous accomplishments of Greek students," said Michele Kryszak (Denison). "Elitist notions discourage individuals who are unsure about going through rush... A common misperception of Greek organizations is that their sole focus is social."

Becky Berridge (Kent State) adds that "it seems that wherever you go, to any campus across the states, there are fraternities and sororities partaking in the ritualistic behavior of consumption of alcohol."

Julie Wilkes identified three problems Greek systems across our contry face today: apathy, scholarship, and living by our creeds. Hazing was considered anathema to the Greek system as well. "Hazing is the first thing that needs to be destroyed," according to Chelsea Spuck (Texas at Austin). Chelsea added, "Another difficult issue that I have faced on my campus is eating disorders. Within the Greek system, people can feel inadequate and succumb to the pressures (of this illness)."

What can Order of Omega chapters do to address these concerns? Barb Rosier recognized the difficulties students face in leading change. She said, "We need to cultivate strong leaders that have the power and courage to stand up to the few stupid people in each chapter that give everyone a bad name. I believe that Order of Omega can be a powerful tool in this cultivation. It is a support system for leaders who do have the courage to try to change things."

Cristina Syrnyk (Alberta) called membership in the Order "a very powerful extrinsic motivator to members of the Greek community."

"Membership in Order of Omega can encourage achievers, agreed Chelsea Spuck. "Order of Omega provides a sense of belonging which is so important for everyone in the Greek community. It gathers students together with similar goals and achievements and allows them to be proud of what they have accomplished."

Cristina Syrnyk also points to the importance of recognizing positive members. In the midst of campus criticism, she has chosen "to encourage members of the fraternity system to become involved with a variety of activities." Such broad leadership will break down barriers and reduce misinformation among groups.

Becky Berridge called for members to "have more positive relations with people who chose not to 'Go Greek.' I think Greeks should not confine themselves to their chapters and go out and make friends with people in their classes and get involved in other activities on campus." She also had the simple but important idea that to reduce others' negative feelings, members should "always say good things about the Greek system."

"Our core ideologies are what we are based around, not a social promise," said Julie Wilkes. "We need to go back to the core ideologies of each house's mission statement and ask each member to define their life in terms of that creed." She suggested that Order of Omega chapters host a campus forum to "refresh each house's memory of these original purposes." She believes that hearing their creeds will remind chapter members that they are similar across the system. The Omega group can then charge each chapter "to develop a plan of action for realizing their higher purposes and living them out."

Michael Mormino (Akron) called for the Order of Omega to "do more to aid Greek life by showing the community and students all that is great about Greek life." Michele Kryszak likewise asked that Order of Omega continue "encouraging individual chapters to promote the accomplishments of its members; to continually educate each member about these ideals... Order of Omega can help in the publication of the positive aspects of the Greek system."

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