At Hopkins, Greek organizations comprise a vocal minority of students on campus. There are 22 fraternities and sororities here, some of which have over a hundred members. Others have few members, including five fraternities with fewer than 10 members. The total number of students participating in Greek organizations in the spring of 2011 was 1,208 out of 4,870 total students.
This subgroup is often criticized for the negative impact it has on student life here at Hopkins. Fraternities throw the largest off-campus parties and their houses are seen as places where the sole goal is to have fun.
However, fraternities and sororities, across the country and here at Hopkins, are a vital component of the collegiate experience in ways that transcend the Animal House image of constant partying. For example, Greek students are not academically lacking in comparison to the general student body. The average Greek GPA, 3.31, is higher than the average Hopkins GPA, 3.27.
This week, the Greek Council, which was created by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils, hosted Greek Week. Greek Week is an annual, four-day, competition that showcases some of the positive aspects of Greek life at Hopkins.
The events, which included Mr. Phi Mu, a talent show, Alpha Phi's casino night, Penny Wars and Powderpuff football, raised a combined $18,000 for various charities.
Philanthropy is a key element of Greek organizations and Greek Week demonstrated how the existing structures of the fraternities and sororities can be used to raise money for good causes.
The events were mostly attended by students already involved in Greek organizations. While non-Greek students did attend the events, the overwhelming majority of attendants came from the competing groups.
We encourage other campus groups to organize themselves in order to raise money as effectively as the Greek organizations did this week. The other 75 percent of students on campus could contribute philanthropically far more than Greek students do simply because of their larger numbers. Hopefully, the example set by this year's Greek weekend, which far surpassed last year's fund-raising efforts, will spur the majority of Hopkins students to contribute to the local or national community in some way.
