Don’t sororities encourage under-age drinking, alcohol abuse and other high-risk behaviors?

Absolutely not. In fact, they proactively discourage it. Members who are caught abusing alcohol in any way will face serious repercussions, which can include restriction from any social events, mandatory alcohol education or counseling, additional community service hours, fines or other financial penalties, or even dismissal from the chapter.

In January 2006, USA Today released a study on college health and campus drinking which reported distinctly that the problem is not limited to or unique to any particular type of club, group, cultural section, region or university but is a widespread problem across all campuses.

This isn’t good news, to be sure, but it does demonstrate that Greek organizations are not the culprits, as they have been portrayed in the media.

And, a recent study by Harvard School of Public Health has demonstrated that high-risk drinking among Greek students is actually decreasing, and that this is the only cross-section of collegiate life where there has been improvement.

Additionally, Greeks are usually their campus leaders in alcohol awareness, designated driver programs, and student health and safety initiatives. And, most sororities have a mandatory alcohol awareness event as part of their new member program.

And, a national consortium of 42 sororities and fraternities have formed The Genesis Group, an education project to curb high-risk drinking in Greek communities. You can read more about it here.

So, while college drinking is a definite concern, it is not caused by sorority membership and in fact, a sorority is a safe place for students to receive alcohol and safety education with their peers… as well as being held accountable for their actions and behaviors.