What is a fraternity?
A Fraternity is a group of men who freely associate as equals to foster a common ideal. The nature of the ideal may be one of many things including ethics, charity, politics, and education. Whatever the ideal, it serves as the guiding ideology of the group. Often this ideal is represented by a Creed or a Motto. In addition to joining for a common cause most organizations cultivate personal benefits such as lasting bonds or Brotherhood, personal development, and extraordinary achievement amongst its members.
Movies such as "Animal House" depict Fraternities as anti-institution-minded men whose organizations become dens of alcoholism and drug use. Their guiding philosophies seem to related more to substance abuse, sexual gratification and disrespect for authority. However, a quick look at any local or national organization's web site will show this not to be the case. While there may be a few bad apples, the majority of Fraternities pride themselves on the accomplishments of their undergraduate members and alumni. Many even have awards for outstanding charitable work, academics excellence and professional success.
The University of the Pacific and the Fraternities on it's campus are no different. The four Fraternities encourage their members to do charitable works and maintain good grades. The University draws a distinction between the "social" and "professional" or "multicultural" fraternities on campus. In some ways this distinction is misleading because it emphasizes the social life that the "social" Fraternities are a part of while under-appreciating the civic and philanthropic work that those groups do. The "social" Fraternities on campus do encourage social growth amongst their members; however, all Fraternities on campus offer to their members leadership opportunities, philanthropic work, and a guiding ideology that is not based on the stereotypes presented in "Animal House."