Describes how ugly incidents involving a fraternity and sororities prompted two campuses to take a hard look at the powerful systems. (EV)

Asserts that as institutional support of student affairs areas becomes increasingly tied to learning outcomes, the effect of fraternity and sorority involvement on intellectual development is critical to its continued support. Addresses learning outcomes of fraternity and sorority membership, fostering improved learning outcomes, changing…

This quasi-experimental field study assessed whether an incentive/reward intervention can change the drinking behavior and the subsequent levels of intoxication among college students attending fraternity parties. A total of 356 blood alcohol concentration (BAC) assessments, using hand-held breathalyzers, were obtained at two baseline and at two…

"Transportation into a narrative world" (Green & Brock, 2000, 2002) has been identified as a mechanism of narrative impact. A transported individual is cognitively and emotionally involved in the story and may experience vivid mental images. In the study reported here, undergraduate participants (N = 152) read a narrative about a homosexual man…

In this article the author explores the controversial thesis that African American Collegiate Fraternities and Sororities, also known as Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs), are "educated gangs". First, the author examines this polemic as a "truth claim" and compares BGLOs and gangs through: (1) hazing; (2) rape and substance abuse; (3)…

Objective: The authors used quantitative and qualitative methodologies to investigate college students' perceptions and use of illegal Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) stimulants during spring and summer 2006. Participants: From fall 2005 through fall 2006, the authors studied 1,811 undergraduates at a large, public, southeastern…

Notes on items such as drawbacks on open plan schools; an experimental program designed to facilitate educational-occupational mobility; and a university fraternity house that qualifies as a foster home. (JF)

Describes life at the Delta Upsilon house at the University of Texas. (SP)

Argues that "Animal House" characterization of fraternity life may have become popular because people lost sight of why fraternities and sororities were founded--to promote the ideals of community, of brotherhood and sisterhood, and to support educational and spiritual objectives. Warns that fraternities and sororities must make concerted renewal…

Explored reasons for drinking among over 2,000 members of fraternities and sororities at a large university and identified subgroups of students at high and low risk of addiction. Results revealed a wide range of individual differences among fraternity and sorority members with respect to amount of alcohol consumed and perceptions of danger in…

In 1950, members of the University of Connecticut's Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity defied their national organization and insisted on pledging their class president, Al Rogers, an African American student. After mounting pressure, the national organization relented and allowed Rogers to join. This article presents the story of Rogers' life, education,…

Reports on an analysis through a symbolic interactionist perspective that indicates that hazing occurs because fraternities view it as a necessary component of their initiation rites. Posits that fraternities use systematic manipulation of symbols, social relations, and definitions of situations while reshaping the pledge's "self."…

Administrators at Union College, worried that the Greek system that dominated the campus was harming the college's students and its reputation, attempted to redefine campus social life in 2000. However, instead of dissolving fraternities, the Union decided to make the Greek system part of a social experiment, working with members of fraternities…

Objective: The authors examined alcohol use among students involved in recreational sports. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study of alcohol use in which researchers separate recreational sports participants from intercollegiate athletes and examine them as a separate group of interest. Participants: The authors generated a random…

Because of segregation in neighborhoods and schools, college may provide the first opportunity for many young adults to interact closely with members of different racial and ethnic groups. Little research has examined how interracial friendships form during this period. This article investigates changes in the racial composition of friendship…