Are Greek parties fun?

Greek life can be a very rewarding and valuable experience.  It also has some downsides.  As a member of a fraternity and also on the Interfraternity Council of my university, I had the opportunity to be actively engaged.  I also had very good friends who choose not to be in the Greek system, but attended social and community service events hosted by Greeks. 

A party, whether it is hosted by a fraternity or sorority, is still exactly that...a party.  The intention is for it to be an organized event, that is a safe and fun way to enjoy oneself.  As with any activity, it is important for the attendee to understand who will also be attending, what are the safety precautions (location, fire, emergency, transportation, chaperones, etc.), will alcohol be present, it is a sanctioned event vs an ad hoc party, reputation of the hosts, and if there are people you know and trust in attendance.

Like any event or activity, you must always be aware of your environment and personal wellbeing. Take precautions including having a safety buddy, especially if you are consuming alcohol.  Be sure to have a set plan for when you will arrive and leave.  And remember the old saying, not much good happens after midnight. 

The best advice I can give about parties, Greek or elsewhere, especially for young girls, is if you set your drink down and take your eye off of it throw it away and start over. There are too many risks in picking up a drink you're unsure of, even if it's coke or water.

Another safety measure is to set up an "accidental pocket text" with a third party who's not a parent or close friend that you would normally text, but someone you trust. If you're ever uncomfortable and feel like someone may check your phone for some reason you can send an "x" or some other pre-planned code. When the third party receives the text, they notify your family who then calls you directly saying they have to come pick you up immediately to deal with a sick family member. It's just a way out. No judgement, just a rescue, anytime, anywhere.

While the above is intended to plan for the worst, the parties can be fun. You can meet great friends and have a good time. And not all fraternities and sororities are the same, even from school to school. So if you attend a particular party with a group at one school, don't judge that same group at every other school you're visiting by that one party. Different schools also party differently, not just within the Greek system. There are actually some christian based organizations out there or service based organizations that are within the Greek system and yes, they still party! They also have different core values and do a lot to give back to the community the are established in. The current membership of each organization also determines a lot of what happens at the parties, so pay attention to the people outside of the parties as well.