Cultural Reporter Blog #2

We are all part of a number of cultures that shape the person we have become, our attitudes, actions and beliefs. Some of these cultures we were born into, others our parents chose for us and some we have chose to become a part of. As a student at the UNL, I am constantly observing the Greek life and culture around me. About 17% of the student population here at UNL are in greek houses. Over the past few weeks I have been able to interview a number of both sorority and fraternity members. I asked them about the culture of the Greek association and of their own Greek house in general. Each house has its own culture but also lives under a larger umbrella of the Greek life.
Although each house has its own colors, traditions, and unique values they all place emphasis on serving the community, uniting as a sisterhood, and being held responsible for grades and involvement.

A big part of the Greek life is that each house has its own cultural space. A cultural space influences how we think about ourselves and about others. College is a time when each of us are finding ourselves and our own way in life. Belonging to a group such as a Greek house at this time helps shape the person one becomes. A greek house could also be a post modern cultural space because each individual house is defined by the letters they wear, the colors they use, the traditions and causes they support. Each greek house is also subject to a reputation. Over the years each house has earned certain stereotypes. One house may be thought of as full of party students while another one can be known as the smart students. Pledging a house may give others a preconceived notion of who you are before they even meet you. These stereotypes are usually known throughout campus and used as a way to label each student who belongs to certain houses.

As a student who never pledged a greek house I am able to watch the culture of the Greek life from the outside. Even though I am a senior most times when I meet someone new from the University one of the first questions I am asked is, "What house are you in?" People use this question as a way to make assumptions and begin to get to know things about you.

For my research on this topic I have began speaking with a number of men and women from different fraternities and sororities throughout campus. I want to get a good feel of how each house may have similar traditions while still having unique ones as well. One tradition I have heard much about is a pinning. A pinning is a ceremony between a women in a sorority and a man in a fraternity who are pledging to someday marry each other. I will be attending a pinning and talking to the participants to learn more about what they get out of it. I will also attend one of the sororities fundraisers. Each one usually puts on an event sometime throughout the year to support a specific cause close to their chapter's heart. I will also be talking to the office of greek affairs and learning more about rush and initiation policies and standards.