Rumors and stereotypes about Greek Life are frequently spread on campus. Some people believe that Animal House, and MTV's Fraternity Life, or The Skulls are what Greek Life is all about.
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Myth 2: Greek chapters encourage binge drinking and drug use among their members.
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Myth 3: Joining a Greek organization inhibits academic performance.
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Myth 4: Greek Organizations do not foster leadership skills.
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Myth 5: A member of the Greek community must buy his/her friends.
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Myth 6: Greek chapters are irresponsible and they don’t answer to a higher authority.
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Myth 7: Being a member of a fraternity takes up an unreasonable amount of time.
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Myth 8: Fraternities do not benefit surrounding communities.
Myth 1: Hazing is a common occurrence among fraternities.
Delta Chi Epsilon does not conduct nor condone hazing activities. Hazing activities are defined as: "Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shocks, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste, engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, Rituals or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution, or applicable state law." Delta Chi Epsilon has adopted its own Anti-Hazing Document and made it public for you to see. A link to said document can be found above.
Myth 2: Greek chapters encourage binge drinking and drug use among their members.
Movies and programs such as "Animal House", "MTV's Fraternity Life", and "MTV's Sorority Life" have had a profound impact on the belief system of many Americans regarding Greek life. The stereotypical party atmosphere is not a reality, and certainly not the norm. Due to the fact that Greek chapters comprise the largest student organization nationwide, Greek communities are constantly in the media spotlight. Social problems such as binge drinking and drug use occur in nearly every facet of society, but their presence is magnified in fraternities and sororities.
Myth 3: Joining a Greek organization inhibits academic performance.
Admittedly, fraternities and sororities have definitely moved away from their roots of purely academic organizations such as literary societies. However, the transition to social living groups does not necessarily mean that academics were thrown out the window. Academic performance is encouraged by both The Niagara University Inter-Greek Council as well as Delta Chi Epsilon. Delta Chi Epsilon encourages academic excellence by requiring a minimum 2.33 GPA each semester.
Myth 4: Greek Organizations do not foster leadership skills.
There is never a shortage of leadership opportunities available to students at Niagara University. Members of the Greek community are incredibly active in Residence Life, Student Government, and Campus Programming Board. Starting in the Fall of 2006, new members of Delta Chi Epsilon will be partaking in sponsored seminars similar to those of Niagara Universities EAGLE program, designed to enrich leadership.
Myth 5: A member of the Greek community must buy his/her friends.
The widely held belief that a Greek experience is costly, shallow and materialistic is incredibly ignorant and unsubstantiated. A person must pay dues for any organization, or any residence hall for that matter. It is a common misconception that all fraternities and sororities are rich. This notion, however widespread, is simply an incorrect generalization. Saying that a person in a Greek organization is one who must "buy their friends" is a complete fallacy. In Delta Chi Epsilon, we pride ourselves on being friends, before we are brothers.
Myth 6: Greek chapters are irresponsible and they don’t answer to a higher authority.
There is a common misconception that because Greek chapters are organizations maintained by the undergraduates who are involved in them, there is complete lack of authority and control. However, there is a very elaborate hierarchy of power in place to ensure the success and safety of undergraduate members. Within DXE there are executive board members as well as other leadership positions ranging from a chapter President and Vice President to Rush/Recruitment Chair. The Niagara University Inter-Greek Council has developed policies which greater refine those already in existence at NU. Because Greek chapters are registered as student organizations, they must also abide by university policies meaning that each Greek Organization at NU, just like all other organizations must have a faculty moderator/advisor for the group. Finally, like all other people and organizations, the brothers of Delta Chi Epsilon must comply with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
Myth 7: Being a member of a fraternity takes up an unreasonable amount of time.
It is a common misconception that joining a Greek community is such a large time commitment that academic performance suffers and participation in other extracurricular activities is impossible to maintain. It's true that an active social calendar and other Greek programming does take up a certain amount of time, but it is absolutely incorrect to assume that this time commitment is unbearable or unreasonable. At DXE, academics remain the top priority. This means that academic commitments preclude any other time commitments. Rest assured that members of DXE are not required to participate in any event, program or meeting that might conflict with academic requirements. Good time management skills would allow students to actively participate in Delta Chi Epsilon and still maintain their grades and involvement in other activities. Given that most varsity and even club level sports practice or play just about every day of the week, joining a Fraternity takes up significantly less time. Members of DXE are also members of several other organizations on campus, and live incredibly active social lives outside of the Fraternity. Starting it the Fall 2006 Pledge Class, new members will participate in time management seminars to assist them in their ever-changing lives.
Myth 8: Fraternities do not benefit surrounding communities.
A rather unfortunate and ironic byproduct of constantly being in the public spotlight is that Greek communities are blamed for social problems and isolated tragedies, and rarely given the credit they deserve for positive contributions to their communities. The Knights of Delta Chi Epsilon currently provide their support to two Philanthropies. The American Red Cross and The Boys and Girls Club of Niagara Falls. The relationship with both groups has been an incredibly positive one with Delta Chi Epsilon running all of the American Red Cross Blood Drives at Niagara University and assisting at the Boys and Girls club both financially as well as with community service. Each member of DXE is required to complete 15 hours of community service each semester.
Myth 9: You have to be a Freshman to pledge a fraternity.
This statement is completely untrue. While at most campuses, Pledge Classes may be mostly comprised of Freshmen, Niagara University has historically frowned on the recruitment and pledging of First Semester Freshmen. This means that Pledge Classes at Niagara are comprised of members of any class standing whether it be Freshmen, Sophomore, Junior or even Senior. When you decide to pledge depends on you. Some people like to get acquainted with campus and the college life before entering into the Greek community. Other people see Greek Life as a way to help them do just that.
Myth 10: Pledging a Greek House requires too much time.
It is true that joining a fraternity or sorority does require a certain amount of time and dedication. However, the time and effort required is by no means enough to interfere with other time commitments or academic success. This commitment leads to knowledge about Delta Chi Epsilon which enables the prospective members to have enough information regarding DXE to make an informed decision about whether or not to continue their participation in the Greek community. However, after the pledging process is completed the time commitment for an Active Member is significantly less than it was, and even less then most athletic teams and many other groups on campus.