JuniorSenior Seminar Paper

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PERCEPTIONS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS ON GREEK FRATERNITIES IN CASES

OF WRONGDOING.

Rachel King

Are Greek Fraternities judged more harshly than a non-Greek student residence in cases of wrongdoing? In this study, experimental survey data from Wayne State College students are asked questions based on two different scenarios in order to understand whether or not there are negative perceptions about Greek life that affect punishment of members and the fraternity house in cases of wrongdoing. It was also predicted that women would judge far less harsh than men in response to the questions. The findings reveal that, although not statistically significant, that students were more neutral towards Greek life and tended to judge the fraternity harsher in some aspects as well as judge the residence of students harsher in others. Female students were more likely to judge harsher for punishment compared to male students, yet tended to be neutral in questions involving if a possible sexual assault had occurred or questions about the woman in the scenario in general.

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INTRODUCTION

“The morning of September 5th was unlike any other at the Farmhouse fraternity

residence at the University of Nebraska (Burke, 2014).” After being brought back to his room to

“sleep it off” after a night of heavy drinking at a fraternity party, Clayton Reel was found dead in

his room the next morning. The autopsy reported the death as a result of acute alcohol

intoxication and the victim was said to have a blood level more than four times the legal limit.

“Four members of Farmhouse Fraternity face felony charges for having provided alcohol to a

minor, resulting in injury or death… Three other members of the Fraternity were charged with

lesser crimes, including maintaining a disorderly house and procuring alcohol to a minor. (Burke,

2014).” The University went further to suspend the fraternity chapter and those living inside the

Farmhouse were required to move out.

If the unfortunate passing of Clayton Reel had happened at a residence location instead of

at a “fraternity party” would the punishment be as severe? According to this article, undoubtedly

no. “A student… was found dead Saturday morning after attending a party Friday night.

Salvador Guevara Preciado was reportedly binge drinking.” The article goes on to state that

Preciado, 17, consumed a variety of alcoholic beverages at a local party with friends. After

consuming enough alcohol to pass out, Preciado’s friends drove him to a friend’s apartment to

spend the night. “His mother found him unresponsive when she picked him up Saturday

morning. Paramedics pronounced him dead around 9 am. No foul play is suspected (Osorio,

2012).” The article goes on to state the date and times for the memorial and to warn students

about calling 9-1-1 in cases of perceived alcohol poisoning. Nowhere is stated that the persons

who threw the party, or provided the alcohol were being charged with a crime. Why the

difference?

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GREEK LIFE: A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The stereotypical “Animal House” seems to be everywhere in the news today. This

certainly affects public perceptions of fraternities. Being Greek is assumed to affect the alcohol

consumption of students on campus. Administrations are buckling down and harshly judging the

fraternity organizations in an attempt to control social choices allowed to students. Perceptions of

the purpose for Greek organizations are becoming more negative and a distinct line is being

drawn between the Greeks and the non-Greeks.

Ellen Gold (as quoted by Allie Grasgreen, 2012) suggests that in order for the Greek

community to become more in touch with their non-Greek counterparts, the organizations need

to start hosting events not just with other Greek organizations, but also with other student

organizations on campus. Greek organizations can really benefit from the rest of campus

understanding what the organization does, what it stands for, and what it means to be a part of it.

Grasgreen (2012) goes on to say that non-Greeks have false perceptions of fraternities and that it

is “clear that fraternities…. have a serious public relations problem when it comes to how non-

Greeks perceive them.”

Apparently, Greeks aren’t entirely aware of the pervasive negative stereotypes. Jeanna

Mastrodicasa (as quoted by Allie Grasgreen, 2012) commented that Greek members were

actually stunned by what non-Greeks thought about the Greek system and its organizations in

general. By working on public relation skills, Greeks can break down barriers and gain more

support and acceptance on campus. If the line was not distinguished between the two groups,

negative stereotypes could become less of an issue to administration.

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Another important thing about awareness of Greek organizations by non-Greeks is the

assertion of recruitment. By being more aware, students could decide that Greek life is actually

something to join. Kristin Fouts (2010) believes that in order to recruit a higher amount of new

members and to get the word around about Greek life, members need to be more open and to

work on answering questions non-Greek students have. Persuasion is needed to recruit and an

evaluation process is always a must in order to keep improving.

Earning a college degree is not about recruitment and Greek life; it is about achieving an

education to bring into the working world. Since administrations across college campuses have

begun to crack down on Greek life, the question is, do fraternities and sororities have a singularly

negative effect on campus life and learning? Asel, Seifert, and Pascarella (2009) state that it

neither hinders nor exemplifies member’s academic performance. The authors (Asel et. al, 2009)

suggest “there were areas within fraternity life where member’s behavior aligned closely with

espoused values, but there are important areas where the Call for Values Congruence rings true.”

The article concludes through its study that no matter if a student is Greek or not, that student

will either succeed in college or not and will either choose to drink, heavily, or not; the students

either utilize the opportunities for education that the fraternity provides, or seek to participate in

the social aspect more (Asel et al, 2009).

Greek organizations are getting a multitude of media, mostly negative, about current

issues and practices that can be considered a liability to the said institution. Legal allegations are

being pursued and administrators are at a loss. Because “many of the potential defendants tend to

be ‘judgment-proof,’ institutions become likely targets for the litigation (Hennessy and Huson,

1998).” There seems to be a need for a solution on handling Greek life and what it has become.

Realizing that every chapter is different, administrators need to listen to fraternity members and

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hold those members to the standards they preach and hold dear to the fraternal code (Tollini and

Wilson, 2010). Identifying, according to Tollini and Wilson (2010), concerns from

administration and vocalizing to members as well as working to formulate policies that adhere to

the good of both sides can help curb disturbances and legal issues administrators face as well as

the fraternity in question.

Legal issues in Greek life need to be categorized as what it is; legal issues. It seems the

media is all too happy to capitalize when an organization on campus does something, and not lay

blame to the individual responsible for the actions. If administrators back Greek life on campus

and there is an agreement between the fraternal organizations and administrators, then separately

the students involved should be charged and litigated as fit. No matter the situation, a person is a

person. Greek organizations give college campuses an important contribution; it creates lifelong

friendships, adds value to the lives of alumni, and makes many important contributions to the

lives of the student members of the organization (Perkins, Zimmerman, Janosik, 2011).

The literature carries one main point, whether through recruitment or actions, that

fraternal organization need to go back to the roots of why the fraternity was made in the first

place and thrive off of the values instilled and brought about in the founders. With “going back

to the roots,” organizations can gain more administrative backing and also avoid and deter

negative stereotypes from the other student body as well as law enforcement. Jackson and

Harless (1997) states that some of the founding principles of fraternal organizations include: an

appreciation of learning, a commitment to lead, an ethic of service, a love for one’s brothers and

sisters, and the belief in democratic ideals (as quoted in Perkins et al, 2011).” The question

remains: for all the potential positives the Greek system provides, will lingering stereotypes

always taint organization members?

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HYPOTHESIS

This study seeks to examine perceptions of the Greek system. It is hypothesized that a

majority of college students who are not a Greek fraternity or sorority member will judge the

fraternity members more harshly than non-members in cases of wrong-doing. Possible reasoning

behind this include non-Greeks feeling an unexplained disdain for said Greek fraternity members

and that resulting in harsher treatment in situations of misbehavior. Another possible reasoning is

that Greek members feel a sense of protection for other Greeks and would therefore be more

lenient in times of offense.

In addition, one would predict that female college students will be more likely to give out

more lenient punishments, no matter if fraternity members or residents, than male college

students are. An explanation for this is that females tend to sympathize and therefore are less

likely to choose the harsher punishments.

METHODOLOGY

The methodology consisted of a three page, self-administered experimental survey,

which focused on the perceptions of Wayne State College students asked a set of questions

responding to a story of a party where wrong-doing occurred One group read a vignette

suggesting underage drinking and a possible sexual assault in a fraternity. Other students read the

same vignette occurring at a private residence. Subjects were asked to evaluate the possibility of

procuring charges, plus the potential of punishment from the college and national organization

for the fraternity, and the validity of sexual assault allegations. Students were questioned on the

story and asked to use answers Strongly Agree, Agree, Neither Agree Nor Disagree, Disagree,

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and Strongly Disagree (the Likert Scale). Random sampling was used to select the classes, and

permission was obtained from professors before the survey was given to the students. The

Wayne State College Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved the survey and questions,

which was given out in the fall of 2015. A copy of the vignette and survey are found in

Appendix A.

After all 83 surveys were turned in, the answers to the questions by the college students

were entered into an SPSS statistics file. Afterwards, the data was translated, using crosstabs,

into tables more understandable and pristine to examine. Once the data was finalized and the

tables completed, the author went through and came to some surprising conclusions.

RESULTS

The sample consisted of 30.1 percent males and 66.3 percent females. There were 25

percent self-identified freshman, 25 percent sophomores, 23 percent juniors, and 7 percent

seniors. The author based significance of the percentages based on a ten percent or higher

difference between the two scenarios, male or female, or in a fraternity/sorority or not.

Table 1A consists of attitudes of students regarding punishment for procuring charges of

those involved, either fraternity or house dwellers. The percentages were divided between the

residence scenario and the Greek scenario. The answers were A. $1000 fine and ninety days in

jail, B. $500 fine and thirty days in jail, C. $250 fine and a year of probation, and D. No fine and

a written warning. Based on the percentage difference that was large enough to be important to

the author, there were two percentages that were of consequence. 12.5 percent of students

answered with A in the residence scenario while only 2.4 percent answered the same for the

Greek Scenario. There was a large enough difference as well with answer C. For the residence

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scenario 50 percent answered with that answer, and 70.7 percent answered that with the Greek

scenario.

There was also a compelling percentage difference when looking between males and

females for the above question. 29.2 percent of males, when combining both the residence and

fraternity data sets, answered D. while only 16.4 percent of females answered the same (see

Table 1B). The interesting part is that in the same question, but instead with the comparison is

between if the students were in a Greek organization or not, there was no large percentage

difference (see Table 1C).

TABLE 1A:

Circle the sentence you find most appropriate: If the two men/fraternity members were charged

and found guilty for procuring to minors, what sentence should be imposed on them.

Residence or Fraternity Scenerio

Residence

Scenario Greek Scenario

Circle the sentence you find

most appropriate: If the two

men/fraternity members

were charged and found

guilty for procuring to minors,

what sentence should be

imposed on them?

$1000 fine and 90 days in

jail

5 1

12.5% 2.4%

$500 fine and 30 days in jail 6 3

15.0% 7.3%

$250 fine and a year of

probation

20 29

50.0% 70.7%

No fine and a written

warning

9 8

22.5% 19.5%

Total 40 41

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 1B:

Circle the sentence you find most appropriate: If the two men/fraternity

members were charged and found guilty for procuring to minors, what

sentence should be imposed on them?

Male or Female

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Male Female

Circle the sentence you

find most appropriate: If

the two men/fraternity

members were charged

and found guilty for

procuring to minors,


imposed on them?

$1000 fine and 90 days

in jail

1 5

4.2% 9.1%


jail

1 7

4.2% 12.7%


probation

15 34

62.5% 61.8%


warning

7 9

29.2% 16.4%

Total 24 55

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 1C:Circle the sentence you find most appropriate: If the two men/fraternity members were charged

and found guilty for procuring to minors, what sentence should be imposed on them?

Are you in a fraternity or sorority?

Yes No

Circle the sentence you find

most appropriate: If the two

men/fraternity members

were charged and found

guilty for procuring to minors,


imposed on them?


jail

1 5

3.1% 10.4%

$500 fine and 30 days in jail 2 7

6.3% 14.6%


probation

21 28

65.6% 58.3%


warning

8 8

25.0% 16.7%

Total 32 48

100.0% 100.0%

Table 2A consists of answers based on the Likert scale asking students if the student

housing/fraternity is solely responsible for the drinking that occurred inside of it during a party.

9.8 percent of students answered strongly disagree with the residence scenario while 22.5 percent

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answered the same for the Greek scenario. For the same question, but with male and female

being the difference, there were two larger percentage differences. 8.3 percent of males answered

agree to the question (I believe the student housing/fraternity is solely responsible for the

drinking that occurred inside of it during a party) and 23.6 percent of females agreed as well. For

the same table, with the same variables, 25 percent of males strongly disagreed while only 12.7

percent of females answered the same (see Table 2B). Table 2C again, like in Table 1C have no

significant differences in percentages to report. All percentages for this table have percentage

differences less then 10 percent.

TABLE 2A:

I believed the student housing/fraternity is solely responsible for the drinking that occurred inside

of it during a party.


Residence


I believed the student

housing/fraternity is solely

responsible for the drinking

that occurred inside of it

during a party.

Strongly Agree 6 6

14.6% 15.0%

Agree 8 8

19.5% 20.0%

Neither Agree Nor Disagree 9 6

22.0% 15.0%

Disagree 14 11

34.1% 27.5%

Strongly Disagree 4 9

9.8% 22.5%

Total 41 40

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 2B:

I believed the student housing/fraternity is solely responsible for the drinking that

occurred inside of it during a party.

11

Male or Female

Male Female





during a party.

Strongly Agree 2 10

8.3% 18.2%

Agree 2 13

8.3% 23.6%


20.8% 16.4%

Disagree 9 16

37.5% 29.1%


25.0% 12.7%

Total 24 55

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 2C:

I believed the student housing/fraternity is solely responsible for the drinking that occurred inside



Yes No





during a party.

Strongly Agree 4 8

12.5% 16.7%

Agree 9 7

28.1% 14.6%


18.8% 16.7%

Disagree 9 16

28.1% 33.3%


12.5% 18.8%

Total 32 48

100.0% 100.0%

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Table 3A consists of answers based on the Likert scale asking students if the young

woman in the scenario was partially responsible with the whether it was the residence scenario or

the fraternity scenario. 41.5 percent answered agree in the residence scenario while 56.1 percent

answered the same for the Greek scenario. There were more interesting percentages when the

comparisons were between male and female. 36 percent of males answered strongly agree to the

young woman being partially responsible while only 14.5 percent of females shared the same

answer. The answers were closer for all of the other answers to the question, but when it came to

neither agreeing nor disagreeing, females had a 20 percent compared to 0 percent for the males

(See Table 3B for Male/Female comparison statistics and percentages). This percentage is

compelling because the higher percentage of women’s indecision is counterintuitive to this

author’s prediction. Table 3C describes the same question but whether the individual is in a

fraternity/sorority or not. 3.1 percent of those in a Greek organization strongly agreed to the

woman being partially responsible while 32.7 percent of those not in a Greek organization shared

the same answer. Continuing on Table 3C, 28.1 percent of those in Greek organizations chose to

answer neither agree nor disagree while only 4.1 percent of those not chose to answer the same.

TABLE 3A:

I feel the young woman was partially responsible.


Residence


I feel the young woman was

partially responsible

Strongly Agree 10 7

24.4% 17.1%

Agree 17 23

41.5% 56.1%


12.2% 14.6%

Disagree 5 2

13

12.2% 4.9%


9.8% 7.3%

Total 41 41

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 3B:

I feel the young woman was partially responsible

Male or Female

Male Female



Strongly Agree 9 8

36.0% 14.5%

Agree 13 27

52.0% 49.1%


.0% 20.0%

Disagree 2 4

8.0% 7.3%


4.0% 9.1%

Total 25 55

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 3C:

I feel the young woman was partially responsible.


Yes No



Strongly Agree 1 16

3.1% 32.7%

Agree 15 25

46.9% 51.0%


28.1% 4.1%

Disagree 3 3

14

9.4% 6.1%


12.5% 6.1%

Total 32 49

100.0% 100.0%

Table 4A consists of answers based on the Likert scale asking students if based on the

information provided, a sexual assault had occurred in the scenarios. There were no percentages

of consequence between answers for the residence scenario and the Greek scenario. In table 4B,

comparing males and females to the same question as above, there was 20 percent of males that

answered strongly disagree while only 10.9 percent of females answered the same. There were

no serious percentage difference between answers for whether or not the individual was in a

fraternity/sorority or not (See Table 4C).

TABLE 4A:

Based on the information provided, I believe the sexual assault occurred.

Residence or Fraternity

Scenerio

Residence

Scenario

Greek

Scenario

Based on the information

provided, I believe the

sexual assault occurred.

Agree 7 7

17.1% 17.1%

Neither Agree Nor

Disagree

16 17

39.0% 41.5%

Disagree 12 12

15

29.3% 29.3%


14.6% 12.2%

Total 41 41

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 4B:


Male or Female

Male Female




Agree 3 11

12.0% 20.0%


44.0% 38.2%

Disagree 6 17

24.0% 30.9%


20.0% 10.9%

Total 25 55

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 4C:



Yes No




Agree 6 8

18.8% 16.3%


43.8% 38.8%

Disagree 7 16

16

21.9% 32.7%


15.6% 12.2%

Total 32 49

100.0% 100.0%

Table 5A consists of answers based on the Likert scale asking students if the college

should harshly punish the occupants who are students/fraternity members in the

household/fraternity house with the two scenarios as the variables. 7.3 percent of the residence

scenarios agreed to the question, while 17.5 percent agreed for the Greek scenario. More answers

in the Greek scenario (with 35 percent) than residence scenario (with 24.4 percent) neither

agreed nor disagreed. There were no percentage differences 10 percent or higher between male

or females (see Table 5B) nor students in Greek organizations or not (see Table 5C).

TABLE 5A:

The College should harshly punish the occupants who are students in fraternity

members/occupants who are students in the household/fraternity house.


Residence


The College should harshly

punish the occupants who

are students in fraternity

members/occupants who are

students in the

household/fraternity house.

Strongly Agree 3 0

7.3% .0%

Agree 3 7

7.3% 17.5%


24.4% 35.0%

Disagree 17 14

41.5% 35.0%


19.5% 12.5%

Total 41 40

100.0% 100.0%

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TABLE 5B:



Male or Female

Male Female





students in the


Strongly Agree 0 3

.0% 5.6%

Agree 2 7

8.0% 13.0%


32.0% 29.6%

Disagree 10 20

40.0% 37.0%


20.0% 14.8%

Total 25 54

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 5C:




Yes No





students in the


Strongly Agree 2 1

6.5% 2.0%

Agree 3 7

9.7% 14.3%


32.3% 28.6%

Disagree 11 19

35.5% 38.8%


16.1% 16.3%

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Total 31 49

100.0% 100.0%

Table 6A consists of answers based on the Likert scale asking students if the police

should more closely monitor student housing on weekend nights. Comparing the residence

scenario and the Greek scenario, 14.6 percent of the residence scenario agreed to the question

while only 4.9 percent for the Greek one answered the same. There was also a compelling

percentage for neither agree nor disagree with the residence scenario at 22 percent and the Greek

scenario at 34.1 percent. In the male verses female percentage differences, females were more

likely to agree, or strongly agree, than males for there to be monitoring (0 percent of males and

14.5 percent for females for strongly agree and 12 percent of males and 25.5 percent of females

for agree). Males disagreed more strongly than women for this question with 36 percent

compared to 23.6 percent for females (see Table 6B for male and female comparison

percentages). There were no important percentage difference between students in Greek

organizations or not for this question (see Table 6C).

TABLE 6A:

Police should more closely monitor student housing on weekend nights.


Residence


Police should more closely

monitor student housing on

weekend nights.

Strongly Agree 6 2

14.6% 4.9%

Agree 9 9

22.0% 22.0%


22.0% 34.1%

Disagree 11 12

26.8% 29.3%

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14.6% 9.8%

Total 41 41

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 6B:


Male or Female

Male Female



weekend nights.

Strongly Agree 0 8

.0% 14.5%

Agree 3 14

12.0% 25.5%


36.0% 25.5%

Disagree 9 13

36.0% 23.6%


16.0% 10.9%

Total 25 55

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 6C:



Yes No



weekend nights.

Strongly Agree 4 4

12.5% 8.2%

Agree 8 10

25.0% 20.4%


28.1% 28.6%

Disagree 8 14

20

25.0% 28.6%


9.4% 14.3%

Total 32 49

100.0% 100.0%

Table 7A consists of answers based on the Likert scale asking students if the occupants of

the household/fraternity members should be charged with procuring with the two scenarios as the

variables. 12.2 percent of the residence scenarios neither agreed nor disagreed to the question,

while 32.5 percent answered the same for the Greek scenario. On the same table, 31.7 percent for

the residence scenario disagree that there should be a charge while only 17.5 of the Greek

scenario shared the same answer. There were no important percentage differences between male

or females (see Table 7B) nor students in Greek organizations or not (see Table 7C).

TABLE 7A:

Based on the information provided, I believe that the occupants of the house/fraternity members

should be charged with procuring.


Residence



provided, I believe that the

occupants of the

house/fraternity members

should be charged with

procuring.

Strongly Agree 4 4

9.8% 10.0%

Agree 15 14

36.6% 35.0%


12.2% 32.5%

Disagree 13 7

31.7% 17.5%


9.8% 5.0%

Total 41 40

100.0% 100.0%

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TABLE 7B:

Based on the information provided, I believe that the occupants of the house/fraternity

members should be charged with procuring.

Male or Female

Male Female



occupants of the



procuring.

Strongly Agree 3 5

12.5% 9.1%

Agree 7 21

29.2% 38.2%


20.8% 21.8%

Disagree 7 13

29.2% 23.6%


8.3% 7.3%

Total 24 55

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 7C:

Based on the information provided, I believe that the occupants of the house/fraternity members

should be charged with procuring.


Yes No



occupants of the



procuring.

Strongly Agree 2 6

6.3% 12.5%

Agree 11 18

34.4% 37.5%


25.0% 18.8%

Disagree 7 13

21.9% 27.1%


12.5% 4.2%

22

Total 32 48

100.0% 100.0%

Table 8A consists of answers based on the Likert scale asking students if there is

sufficient evidence to charge the occupants of the house/fraternity with a crime. There were no

percentage differences of consequence between answers for the residence scenario and the Greek

scenario. In table 8B, comparing males and females to the same question as above, there was 28

percent of males that answered neither agree nor disagree while only 18.2 percent of females

answered the same. There were no compelling percentage difference between answers for

whether or not the individual was in a fraternity/sorority or not (See Table 8C).

TABLE 8A:

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I think there is sufficient evidence to charge the occupants of the house/fraternity members with a

crime.


Residence


I think there is sufficient

evidence to charge the

occupants of the


with a crime.

Strongly Agree 6 5

14.6% 12.2%

Agree 7 7

17.1% 17.1%

Neither Agree nor Disagree 8 9

19.5% 22.0%

Disagree 15 17

36.6% 41.5%


12.2% 7.3%

Total 41 41

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 8B:

I think there is sufficient evidence to charge the occupants of the house/fraternity

members with a crime.

Male or Female

Male Female

I think there is sufficient

evidence to charge the

occupants of the


with a crime.

Strongly Agree 2 9

8.0% 16.4%

Agree 3 11

12.0% 20.0%

Neither Agree nor Disagree 7 10

28.0% 18.2%

Disagree 10 20

40.0% 36.4%


12.0% 9.1%

Total 25 55

100.0% 100.0%

TABLE 8C:

I think there is sufficient evidence to charge the occupants of the house/fraternity members with a

crime.


Yes No

I think there is sufficient Strongly Agree 4 7

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DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

The study showed some intriguing and mixed results. In questions based more towards

the members of the household/fraternity, students seemed to call for harsher punishment for the

residence instead of the fraternity house when asked what sentence should be imposed of the two

men/fraternity members. There were also more students that disagreed that the residents should

be charged with a crime compared to the fraternity members. There were as well more students

that wanted the fraternity members to receive punishment from the college more than the

residents. Females in these questions were more likely to agree with a harsher punishment for the

two men rather than the fraternity members but stayed pretty much the same as males for the

other two.

In questions based on the girl and possibility of sexual assault, there was no significant

difference between the fraternity and residence scenario believing the sexual assault occurred.

However, students were more likely to feel the woman was more partially responsible in the

fraternity scenario than in the residence scenario. Females in these questions were less likely to

agree and more likely to neither agree nor disagree in the female being partially responsible

while less likely to strongly disagree that the sexual assault had occurred.

In questions based on the residence/fraternity house, students were more likely to

disagree that the fraternity was solely responsible for the drinking that occurred inside of the

house during the party than the residence. Students were also more likely to agree that police

should monitor the residence more closely than the fraternity house. Females were more likely to

agree that the fraternity house/residence was solely responsible and were more like to agree that

both residences and fraternity houses should be more closely monitored on weekend nights.

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In conclusion, there were some surprises from the study. What was originally

hypothesized was only half true. More of the study showed little to no statistical significance

between the Greek scenario or residence scenario until looking more closely at the data per

question. Females were actually harsher on punishments and blame or had more or less the same

answers as men. However, females were more neutral or in favor of the woman in the questions.

The answers from this study seem to show that the students are more neutral than thought

previously. Students, although in some cases more likely to hold the fraternity responsible, was

more understanding and more impartial between the two different stories than anticipated. Greek

life as a whole based on this study seemed to be judged similarly to a residence of student. There

was an overall more positive outlook of Greeks in cases of wrongdoings than the hypothesis

predicted. It seems to the author that the problem and line drawn between Greeks and non-

Greeks could lie with administrational pull and not the student body in general. This study has

furthered the understanding of the perceptions of students of instances of wrongdoings between

resident households and fraternity houses.

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APPENDIX A

After a big Saturday afternoon football game, a residence located near campus decided to open its doors for a party. The house, a two story structure with twelve male college students, allowed people to bring their own drinks and join in the celebration. As best they could, they requested identification, but many slipped into the party unnoticed.

The party proceeded without incident until a male member of the household noticed a young woman slumped over in a chair, obviously intoxicated. Two men carried her to a second floor room and shut the door. According to the students, they posted a couple of Instagram photos of the woman lying on the bed, with the caption, “#TooDrunkToHang.” After that, they claimed they left her to “sleep it off” and returned to the party.

Eventually, some friends of the young woman, concerned with her absence, searched the house and found her in the room, unconscious but breathing steadily. They got her half awake, straightened her clothes, and then assisted the young woman in walking to their dorm four blocks away. On the way, a local police officer saw the group noticeably intoxicated and asked for identifications. All the young women were underage. He asked them to come to the station, and they complied.

At the station, the young women confirmed they were at the party and claimed the occupants provided them with alcohol. The woman, who was taken to a bedroom, now fully conscious, said she couldn’t remember being taken to the bedroom but felt a sexual assault had taken place.

The next day, the police went to the house and told the occupants they were being referred to the administration. They also were to be charged with procuring to minors, and the two men who carried the woman upstairs were under investigation for sexual assault.

27

For each of the following statements, please circle the option that best fits your attitude in relation to the statement. (SA) Strongly Agree (A) Agree (N) Neither Agree Nor Disagree (D) Disagree (SD) Strongly Disagree

1. Based on the information, provided I believe the sexual assault occurred.

SA A N D SD

2. I think there is sufficient evidence to charge the occupants of the house with a crime

SA A N D SD

3. Based on the information provided, I believe that the occupants of the house should be

charged with procuring.

SA A N D SD

4. I feel the young woman was partially responsible.

SA A N D SD

5. I believed the student household is solely responsible for the drinking that occurred inside


SA A N D SD

6. Police should more closely monitor student housing on weekend nights.

SA A N D SD

7. The college should harshly punish the occupants who are students in the household.

SA A N D SD

8. Circle the sentence you find most appropriate: If the two men were charged and found guilty for procuring to minors, what sentence should be imposed on them?

a. $1000 fine and 90 days in jailb. $500 fine and 30 days in jailc. $250 fine and a year of probationd. No fine and a written warning

28

Here are a few questions about you. Circle your answer.

1. Sex: Male Female

2. Year In School:

Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior

3. Are you in a fraternity or sorority: Yes No

29

After a big Saturday afternoon football game, a fraternity located near campus decided to open its doors for a party. The fraternity house allowed people to bring their own drinks and join in the celebration. As best they could, they requested identification, but many slipped into the party unnoticed.

The party proceeded without incident until a fraternity member noticed a young woman slumped over in a chair, obviously intoxicated. Two fraternity members carried her to a second floor room and shut the door. According to the fraternity members, they posted a couple of Instagram photos of the woman lying on the bed, with the caption, “#TotalFratMove.” After that, they claimed they left her to “sleep it off” and returned to the party.

Eventually, some friends of the young woman, concerned with her absence, searched the house and found her in the room, unconscious but breathing steadily. They got her half awake, straightened her clothes, and then assisted the young woman in walking to their dorm four blocks away. On the way, a local police officer saw the group noticeably intoxicated and asked for identifications. All the young women were underage. He asked them to come to the station, and they complied.

At the station, the young women confirmed they were at the party and claimed the fraternity members provided them with alcohol. The woman, who was taken to a bedroom, now fully conscious, said she couldn’t remember being taken to the bedroom but felt a sexual assault had taken place.

The next day, the police went to the house and told the fraternity members they were being referred to the administration and the national organization for sanction. They also were to be charged with procuring to minors, and the two fraternity members who carried the woman upstairs were under investigation for sexual assault.

30

For each of the following statements, please circle the option that best fits your attitude in relation to the statement. (SA) Strongly Agree (A) Agree (N) Neither Agree Nor Disagree (D) Disagree (SD) Strongly Disagree

1. Based on the information, provided I believe the sexual assault occurred.

SA A N D SD

2. I think there is sufficient evidence to charge the fraternity members with a crime

SA A N D SD

3. Based on the information provided, I believe that the fraternity members should be

charged with procuring.

SA A N D SD

4. I feel the young woman was partially responsible.

SA A N D SD

5. I believed the fraternity is solely responsible for the drinking that occurred inside of the

house during a party.

SA A N D SD

6. Police should more closely monitor fraternities on weekend nights.

SA A N D SD

7. The college should harshly punish the members of the fraternity.

SA A N D SD

8. Circle the sentence you find most appropriate: If the two fraternity members were charged and found guilty for procuring to minors, what sentence should be imposed on them?

a. $1000 fine and 90 days in jailb. $500 fine and 30 days in jailc. $250 fine and a year of probationd. No fine and a written warning

31

Here are a few questions about you. Circle your answer.

1. Sex: Male Female

2. Year In School:

Freshman Sophomore Junior Senior

3. Are you in a fraternity or sorority: Yes No

32

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Perkins, A., Zimmerman, J., & Janosik, S. (2011). Changing Trends in the Undergraduate

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Retrieved September, 2015.

Shalka, T., Jones, S. (2010). Differences in Self-Awareness Related Measures Among Culturally

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Sirhal, M. (2000). Fraternities on the Rocks. Policy Review. 55-67. Retrieved September, 2015.

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Documents

JuniorSenior Seminar Paper