positions to list on a resume. Behind these positions there is hard work and an opportunity to build meaningful, real-world skills.
ships, akin to a protective league or network of trusted advisors. This group of advisors provides individuals with both charity and frank criticism. Such a unique mix of feedback is not only unprecedented, but invaluable. The focus on quality over quantity when it comes to friendships was not a call to exclusivity - even in 1904, friendships with others, whether in other organizations or non-Greeks - was crucial. But then, as now, the relationships formed with your sisters were among the most meaningful and lasting friendships of your life.
In many ways, the skills offered by early fraternities and sororities were innovative. fraternal groups still provide students with a The skills acquired to maintain a home did framework to better discover their passions. not correspond to the “traditional” sense Beyond the academic of being a homemaker. edge and despite early Rather, sororities instilled Most importantly, controversy the national the virtues of maintaining both during the organizations were able a budget, securing lodging to provide students with early years and and managing basic chores. exposure to students and Then, as now, both men today, students chapters from across the and women had to learn to Ultimately, membership in a sorority or a were provided nation. take care of themselves and fraternity is both an individualizing and harwith a unique sororities recognized early monizing experience. Historically speaking Aside from providing stuon that this was an importhese organizations were intended to augopportunity to dents with a platform to tant part of their mission, ment one’s undergraduate experience and further academic interests, grow and develop even in academia. bring prestige to the university. A national chapters were created as a person and as platform was intended to provide indiwith the hope of fosterBut having extolled the viduals with the opportunity to meet and a leader. ing leadership potential benefits of fraternal life, share with others from differand characteristics that Martin’s ent universities. Chapters were Historically members had little opportunity to otheradvice is perhaps most meant to sharpen academic wise hone. Initially, sororities served as one poignant - and rings most speaking these discourse and provide a nurturof the only outlets for women to achieve true today - when she talks organizations ing family away from home for equality in academic advancement and, about the importance of students. Most importantly, especially, business acumen. Today, the our sisters or brothers. To- were intended to both during the early years and gap between men and women has been day, students’ interpersonal augment one’s today, students were provided greatly reduced, but the need for a platform networks have expanded undergraduate with a unique opportunity to to develop these skills has not. Fraternal life as never before through experience and grow and develop as a person still offers opportunities available nowhere the evolution of social as a leader. That rich opelse, not only to develop personal virtues bring prestige to and media. Students today portunity is something for which like self-control, patience, but also to build have hundreds - perhaps the university. all members can thank the practical skills like business management. thousands - of contacts early pioneers of fraternities and labeled “friends” or “followsororities. Fraternities and sororities then provided ers,” most of which are no more than casual - and in many ways, required - that men acquaintances. To be fair, social media has and women equally learn how to structure allowed users to network and reconnect and manage a group. This kind of experilike never before, but they dilute the sort of ence was unprecedented in an age before relationships that Martin idealized. To her, internships were commonplace. Today fraternities and sororities were particularly we are privileged to live in a world where valuable because they foster deep relationmany colleges offer “clinics” and “tutorials” designed to hone the same skill sets that fraternities and sororities offered since their inception. It is a reminder that for Greeks today, chapter officers are not just “filler”
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