Greek life: How to don a toga without looking stupid
You make your way past the drunk-dialers and vomiteers on the front lawn. You shell out five bucks to the guy at the door. The bass is pounding; the walls shaking. You're caught in a frenzy of flailing arms, shouting, screaming, bumping, grinding, sweat and spilled beer. Welcome to the Jungle. Welcome to a Hopkins fraternity party.
Most people would walk through those doors thinking that Greek Life will resemble what they've seen in movies such as Animal House or Old School. They'll expect to see John Belushi taking a handle of Jack Daniel's to the face or Will Ferrell refereeing a mud wrestling competition, and that's about it. Well, those people are both right and wrong. Greek life at Hopkins gives to those who participate, whatever it is they take from it.
It's actually somewhat difficult to realistically convey life in a fraternity or sorority, because so much is kept secret within its walls and among its members. What outsiders see is merely a slice of what it's like to be a part of a brotherhood or sisterhood. To truly know what it's like, one has to go through the experience first-hand.
However, it's no secret that going Greek is a sure-fire way to give back to your Baltimore community. Fraternities and sororities host several events throughout the school year to benefit the student body or to raise money for outside causes. One will see Greeks cleaning up around campus or throughout the city. The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity hosts several events for the student body including Freshman Orientation, Dorm Wars and the Balanced Man Scholarship. Sig Eps also shave their heads in the spring as a part of a fundraiser for Crone's disease.
The Greeks all differ from chapter to chapter, but what unifies them is their friendships. Terms like "rent-a-friend" are thrown around, but when one spends such an extended period of time together through the pledging process, the bonds that are formed are unbreakable. Over summer vacation, Greeks keep in touch and plan trips and events. Even if you're just in Baltimore for the night, there are always a few fellow brothers and sisters in town and you're guaranteed a place to stay and friends who are glad to see you.
Most people would walk through those doors thinking that Greek Life will resemble what they've seen in movies such as Animal House or Old School. They'll expect to see John Belushi taking a handle of Jack Daniel's to the face or Will Ferrell refereeing a mud wrestling competition, and that's about it. Well, those people are both right and wrong. Greek life at Hopkins gives to those who participate, whatever it is they take from it.
It's actually somewhat difficult to realistically convey life in a fraternity or sorority, because so much is kept secret within its walls and among its members. What outsiders see is merely a slice of what it's like to be a part of a brotherhood or sisterhood. To truly know what it's like, one has to go through the experience first-hand.
However, it's no secret that going Greek is a sure-fire way to give back to your Baltimore community. Fraternities and sororities host several events throughout the school year to benefit the student body or to raise money for outside causes. One will see Greeks cleaning up around campus or throughout the city. The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity hosts several events for the student body including Freshman Orientation, Dorm Wars and the Balanced Man Scholarship. Sig Eps also shave their heads in the spring as a part of a fundraiser for Crone's disease.
The Greeks all differ from chapter to chapter, but what unifies them is their friendships. Terms like "rent-a-friend" are thrown around, but when one spends such an extended period of time together through the pledging process, the bonds that are formed are unbreakable. Over summer vacation, Greeks keep in touch and plan trips and events. Even if you're just in Baltimore for the night, there are always a few fellow brothers and sisters in town and you're guaranteed a place to stay and friends who are glad to see you.
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