Drop the stereotypes.
MSU greeks say it's not all about what you see on MTV shows such as "Sorority Life" and "Fraternity Life."
"The general public will watch this show and get a general idea that this is what fraternities are like, especially young people in high school who think about joining a fraternity," said Chris Braverman, a member of Delta Tau Delta.
MSU greeks perform community service - on and off campus - throughout each academic year.
Whether it be free movie nights, step shows, duck races or penny wars, there's always something going on in the greek community.
More than 3,000 students participate in Greek Life, a division of Student Life. Four governing councils elect officers and initiate procedures for recruitment, social activities and community events.
The eight fraternities and sororities of National Pan-Hellenic Council help to promote awareness of the black community with workshops, educational forums and an icebreaker in the fall and spring semesters.
Historically black greek organizations, which date back to the turn of the century, were established to serve as an outlet for black students to perform community service.
"Alpha Phi Alpha has always stood at the forefront of African-American history," said Jhamal Swift, president of Alpha Phi Alpha, adding Duke Ellington, Thurgood Marshall, and Martin Luther King Jr. were members of the fraternity.
The Fourth Greek Independent Council consists of four multicultural fraternities and sororities: Pi Psi, a historically black fraternity; alpha Kappa Delta Phi, an Asian-interest sorority; and Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority and Sigma Lambda Beta, both Latino-interest greek organizations.
Although they are relatively new to campus, multicultural greek organizations are among the fastest growing greeks on campus.
"We've leaped some bounds," Adnoris Torres of Sigma Lambda Beta said.
"We started with three and have grown ever since."
Twenty-nine fraternities of the Interfraternity Council and 13 sororities of the Panhellenic Council each have their own houses in East Lansing, most only a few blocks from campus.
The councils sponsor Greek Week, an annual week of community service and entertainment events. In 2003, more than $125,000 was raised to support local charities.
"We support a lot of charities with our donations," said Larry Wisne, director of Greek Week 2003.
"It puts (greeks) in a good light with not only the campus, but with the community," he said.
There are also several independent greek letter organizations serving virtually every interest, from music to engineering.
Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity, is well-known for its annual "Ugly Man on Campus" fund raiser as well as other community service.
There are independent greek letter organizations serving various interests as well.
"Our principles are our community, our chapter, our campus and our nation," said Becky Martin, director of public relations for the organization.
