Greek-Letter Organizations as Communities and the Decline in Local Civic Participation

Greek-letter Organizations as Communities and the Decline in Local Civic Participation

Jennifer Chapman

Communitarian Final

Pols5810

Luke Garrott

Chapman

Communities of choice are communities in which people choose to belong based on similar interest or values. Though people choose to be a part of these communities it doesn’t make them any less of one. In some way all communities involve some choice. If they no longer meet some need then technically one does not need to continue to be a part of that community. One of the best examples of a community of choice is college fraternities and sororities and the role they play as a community and in their community. Greek-letter organizations were created for many reasons. Fraternities and sororities were originally founded as an intellectual escape from the over-preaching professors and expanding discussion that left the classrooms (Whipple 8). Eventually these groups led to more social, political, and fellowship. Students form such groups to feel like they belong to a community. Fraternities and sororities have been established to meet specific needs, culturally and academically. Some grew out of religious concerns, others out of educational concerns. Looking into the initial basis for their creation and looking at their history is crucial in understanding the local chapters’ decline in civic responsibility. First it is important to look at what these organizations stand for and why they exist. After gaining an understanding of why they exist one should also examine what each chapter stands for nationally. Next it is necessary to examine the role greek-letter organizations play as a community and the role they play in communities. Once that is explained I will discuss the importance