AMHERST - Recent stories about unruly behavior have prompted fraternity members at the University of Massachusetts to try to dispel stereotypes about Greek life.

Really, members say, it's about building leadership skills and focusing on community service.

"We are a fraternity, not a frat," said Sagar Kaul, chapter president of Beta Chi Theta. "Everyone thinks Greek life is about partying and hazing. It's not the same thing. ... UMass has a done a tremendous job setting up a solid infrastructure for Greeks (and) because of that you're learning how to be a leader in the real world."

Greek life members, from left, Pranit Lahoty, Andrew Cheung, Thomas Phillips, Shiv Mehta and Sagar Kaul, with Johnny Tooson, executive director of student engagement and leadership.

Thomas Phillips, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, said his and other Greek life organizations raised $133,000 last year for the Children's Miracle Network at Baystate Medical Center.

Fraternity members have also in recent years gone out by the hundreds to clean up after the Blarney Blowout and subsequent March events notorious for their rowdy behavior and litter.

In another example of local fraternities' community involvement, members of Kappa Sigma and other organizations raised money for and repeatedly visited with Bill Tu, a neighborhood boy who recently underwent a kidney transplant after being ill for many years.

Bill Laramee, the Amherst Police Department's neighborhood liaison, said recently that one of the highlights of his work has been his relationship with Greek organizations. He said there used to be distrust between fraternity members and police, but he meets with leaders regularly and that's no longer the case.

But the most recent headlines have tended to cast fraternities in a negative light.

In one case, Amherst police are investigating a report that a 17-year-old's ear was bitten during a disturbance as a party was breaking up Sept. 10 at Phi Sigma Kappa.

The university placed the frat on interim restriction, which means it cannot host parties or sponsor activities at its residence on North Pleasant Street, according to a statement from UMass.

The Theta Chi fraternity was placed on interim suspension following a Sept. 16 party at its residence on North Pleasant Street. The university will be investigating a potential violation of the Code of Student Conduct, according to the statement.

More than a decade ago, UMass had issues with fights and drunkenness at fraternities, but things quieted after four fraternities and one sorority house on North Pleasant Street were razed.

Johnny Tooson, the university's executive director of student engagement and leadership, said the recent incidents raise concerns. He said campus officials are reminding the university's 38 fraternities and sororities that their mission is leadership.

"We're getting back to the basic, solid principles, capitalize on our strengths," he said. Those principles include having a positive impact on the community.

He said the university continues "to do alcohol awareness to keep the environment safe for all students."