John Belushi

The over-the-top antics caused by John Belushias aBlutoa character and members of the fictitious Delat Tau Chi Fraternity fraternity in aAnimal Housea are far from reality. The over-the-top antics caused by John Belushias character, John "Bluto" Blutarsky, and members of the fictitious Delat Tau Chi Fraternity fraternity in aAnimal Housea are far from reality.

(AP Photo)

Fans of the film "National Lampoon's Animal House" know the phrase all too well.

Dean Wormer, fed up with the antics of the boisterous, rowdy, hell-raising Delta Tau Chi Fraternity and determined to send them all packing from campus, sneeringly exclaims that the frat house is officially under "double secret probation"

Liz Yates, assistant dean for resident life for Moravian College in Bethlehem, assures that in the real world, there are no secret, clandestine meetings between the dean and other fraternity leaders.

Yates says breaking down myths about Greek life is a discussion she is constantly having with students.

"You almost have to kind of dig yourself out of that (mentality) and need to showcase all the great you are doing," Yates says she tells students. "We focus on the fraternity or sorority experience as one of brotherhood and sisterhood."

But the occasional toga party may still happen.

"(Fraternities) are permitted to register for social functions on the weekends," Yates says. "Sometimes, they do have a theme."

But Yates says the public perception of fraternities and sororities portrayed in "Animal House," "National Lampoon's Van Wilder," "Back to School" and "Accepted" is far from the truth.

"Once in a while you hear about all the great services or outreach, but you don't hear about the educational programming, you're not hearing about the sisterhood and brotherhood events," Yates says.

Awareness and prevention

Yates says the social component of fraternities and sororities is a small part of the larger picture. She says 95 percent of what is seen in popular culture is not reality.

She says the student programming board hosts a number of events throughout the year, including, but not limited to, bingo nights, comedy and live music, as well as competing in the campus intramural program with a chapter team performing community service at a local school or non-profit organization.

Other common activities, she says, include getting together for dinner and movie nights at a chapter house, creating Greek-lettered T-shirts and preparing the chapter's float for homecoming. (Ramming a float into the stands and swinging from the top of the building to the street using the fabric of a banner, while dressed as a pirate, is not part of the equation.)

"Not only is it a peer group, but you are essentially running a small business," she adds. "You have budgets, you're collecting dues and doing service and educational programming."

Yates says fraternity and sorority members must go through extensive training. She says because many students are first-generation, families are also oriented for the four-year college experience. That includes explaining the realities of joining a fraternity or sorority, versus what is seen and heard in the media and pop culture.

She says students are informed of their expectations and the consequences of going outside of those boundaries. That includes jeopardizing insurance coverage for students caught violating school policy.

"If they make a choice outside of the boundaries of expectations, they are held accountable," Yates says. "They need to realize the consequences."

Raising expectations

Yates stresses to students that becoming a part of a fraternity or sorority enriches the college experience outside the classroom, describing it as a "vibrant aspect of college and the student experience."

James von Shilling, a professor of English at Northampton Community College, says what is shown on screen is often written from the standpoint of reflection and memories, and in some instances, fantasy.

"The creator of the movies is not necessarily the age of a college student," he says. "With 'Animal House,' it was kind of a reflection of fraternity life 10 years earlier, in the early '60s."

Yates echoes his thoughts, adding times have changed.

"As time goes by, the accountability and expectations have increased," she says.

A lot to lose

Jenni Rach, assistant director of student union and involvement services at Kutztown University, says fraternities and sororities are required to take training in social hosting and responsibility, hazing and risk management. There are 18 active Greek organizations on campus.

"We hold them to a higher standard than other organizations," she says. "They have a lot more to lose. They have no one to turn to except themselves."

That is not to say incidents don't happen, Rach says, adding that the goal is to be proactive and encourage responsible behavior.

Rach says fraternity and sorority members also take part in a neighborhood watch program with members of the community. The group gets together every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night to provide help to students on campus.

"I'm sure things happen, but when we do discover things happening, we do investigate it," she says.