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Fact vs. Fiction

Animal House, Old School, and numerous other movies and TV shows provide hollywood versions of today's fraternities. To say the least, it's far from reality. The majority of students do not take the time to break past the stereotypes to learn what a fraternity is really about. Here are a few common beliefs, followed with the facts to prove them wrong.

Myth #1: Fraternities stress partying over school work.
The Facts: The United States Department of Health reports that Greek affiliated students have a higher graduation rate than non-affiliated students. Greek students have a graduation rate of 65% for members, while unaffiliated members only have a 47% graduation rate.

Sigma Pi has a specific scholarship program to help members with their first priority at college - their academics. In addition, we dedicate numerous hours to community service on our campus and within our community. We'd be lying if we said we didn't enjoy parties and the social scene at Drury, but only after our scholarship and service activites are completed.

Myth #2: Fraternity life is like the show on MTV.
The Facts: Life at most modern fraternities is nothing like what is depicted on TV. We strive for brotherhood while having fun at social events such as Greek Week, exchanges, and organized parties. MTV's Fraternity Life was tailor-made for one thing: ratings. Fortunately for MTV, it did that. Unfortunately for the Greek World, it perpetuated a decades-old stereotype that really has no place in the modern fraternity world.

Myth #3: Fraternities are like the Deltas in National Lampoon's Animal House.
The Facts: You couldn't be more fartner from the truth. Let's get real. Having fun in college does not mean getting drunk every night, or ever, if you chose not to. Sigma Pi stresses values such as personal responsibility, community involvement, philanthrophy, and academics.

Myth #4: Joining a fraternity is like paying for your friends.
The Facts: A US Office of Education report shows that less than 2% of the average college man's expenses go towards fraternity dues. Those who are uninformed like to accuse fraternity members of "buying their friends."

In reality, the money paid as dues is used to support the activiteis in which the fraternity members have a common interest and equal participation. The money an individual invests in his fraternity experience is money that would be spent during the university experience anyway, but, the individual gets better value because money is pooled for group activities. Chapter funds are also used to make improvements to the fraternity house, a residence far superior to the residence halls and other campus housing options.

Every brother had friends before he was initiated and continues to make new friends long after becoming members. By becoming "brothers," fraternity members take friendship to another level. As brothers, we are friends regardless of money. However, with any organization, there are expenses that must be covered, both on the national and local level. All members accept their responsibility for contributing their part to the chapter.

Myth #5: Joining a fraternity means giving up your individuality to "fit in."
The Facts: Fraternities are often accused of being full of the same kind of people. The reality is that nowhere else can a man get to know as many different men as well as he can as a member of Sigma Pi. Diversity is important in our house. Nearly every academic discipline is reprsented and the hobbies and interests of our members are as varied as you could imagine. This give you a great opportunity to learn new things and surround yourself with individuals you would probably otherwise never meet.

There are also opportunities for making friends on other campuses across the nation among the other men with whom you share a common bond of fraternity.