subject: College Fraternities and Sororities from Alpha to Omega [print this page] What do we know about fraternities and sororities? These student communities are widespread across the US colleges. They are usually single-sex, though some of them can be mixed, and include undergraduate students. They generally keep the mottos of their fellowships in secret, calling them by first letters usually Greek that is why they are often referred to as Greek letter organizations. There are 54 fraternities in USA nowadays and about as many sororities. Some of them like Sigma Alpha Epsilon or Beta Kappa possess considerable power.
Some Facts from History
Many fraternities and sororities have rich traditions and long history. The first fraternity was Phi Beta Kappa organized in 1776 by five students of William and Mary College. It quickly grew popular, and at the beginning of the XIX century a few new fraternities and sororities appeared. Their members competed in philosophical disputes and had the reputation of students' elite. After WWII fraternities developed a kind of army spirit and a tradition of severe punishment for violators.
Some Figures
1.The members and ex-members of fraternities make only 2% of male population of US but the major part of all the business elite and congressmen enter these 2%.
2.According to Harvard University studies 44% of American students are drunkards. Among the members of fraternities this rate is 75%, among the members of sororities 68%
Some Interesting Facts
1.Secret hand-shakings and greetings have been developed by fraternities to tell your fellows from members of other fraternities.
2.In the elite student societies of Germany similar to US fraternities there is a tradition to solve controversies by sword dueling. Nowadays these duels are held secretly. The foes wear armor but no mask. The members of Heidelberg Union notorious for duels are easy to identify by scars on their faces.
College Fraternities and Sororities from Alpha to Omega
