By Kirk Laughlin

“Animal House,” “Revenge of the Nerds” and “Van Wilder” – these Hollywood features conjure up images of the wild and undisciplined nature of Greek life on college campuses.

And while Greeks do of course have their share of fun, the organizations at U of L involve a lot more.

More than 1,200 students are involved in one of the 22 accredited Greek organizations at U of L, according to the Office of Greek Life. The U of L Greek community contains 13 fraternities and nine sororities, including historically African-American groups. Several of them have houses on “Greek Row,” a stretch off of Third Street opposite of the Ekstrom Library. Several others are also clustered in Community Park.

“Greek life at U of L has been great to me” said Sean Warren, a sophomore bioengineering major and Kappa Sigma. “They provide wonderful opportunities for networking and engage you in the campus.”

But sophomore Mark Hamilton, who is not affiliated with a Greek group, thinks differently. “It seems to me like they’re all alike,” said Hamilton, a computer sciences major. “None of the fraternities or sororities particularly stands out to me in terms of philanthropy or networking. There is also the stigma of having to pay for your friends.”

Membership dues vary, but on average, according to the Intrafraternity Council, roughly two percent of the average Greek’s college expenditures go toward membership dues.

Sophomore political science major and Chi Omega Jamie Giles said, “Greeks do hours upon hours of philanthropic activities and are leaders in the university. They have contributed to many national organizations such as Kosair [Children’s Hospital] and have over 12,000 hours of community service,” as reported by U of L Student Affairs.

“It seems that they are just social clubs for partying,” Derek Jones, a junior economics major, said. “Sometimes their socializing and partying takes precedent over their education.” Jones went on to say, “There are others ways to network-through resident student organizations and intramurals. There are also plenty of other ways to help out the community. It depends a lot on your personal preferences.”

“Students have to learn how to balance their Greek life and academic life,” said Molly Peterson, a sophomore bioengineering major. A Chi Omega, Peterson added, “Greek life has been wonderful and it had tied me to this university in a unique and fulfilling way.”

“Greek life at U of L has limitless potential, it just needs more from the university,” said Warren, who believes U of L has not invested heavily enough in the Greek community.

Currently, all Greek groups, which must be recognized student organizations at U of L, have access to funding from the Student Government Association. And unlike most RSOs, the university maintains an Office of Greek Life that provides services and assistance to fraternity and sorority chapters. It is charged with overseeing and monitoring the service, social and academic activities of Greek groups.

To join a Greek organization, interested students can participate in rush week along Greek Row. Rush, or recruitment, is a process in which fraternity or sorority membership is determined. For sororities, rush week is Aug. 12-16 and fraternities from Aug. 26-30. There, students can pledge to initiate into a chapter, which may include a fee depending on the chapter.

For more information, contacts and events of all U of L Greek organizations, visit http://campuslife.louisville.edu/greek.