With the new outcrop of television shows and movies exaggerating Greek life on college campuses, partying and promiscuity have nearly become synonymous with fraternities and sororities. Although the legendary portrayal of the fictional Delta House in the 1978 film Animal House has set the precedent for stereotyping fraternities, modern television and films such as Greek, Sydney White and Pledge This! show members of Greek life, particularly those in sororities, as immoral, unintelligent college students. This widespread outlook on the Greek organizations has many students wishing a different side of the system was in the public eye.

Although fraternities and sororities have many socials, one big misconception is that all Greeks do is party. "I wish that people would understand that while, yes, we are relatively social organizations, we do a lot more than party, drink, and sleep around, and all of us have just as much to offer as the next, non-Greek person," said Sarah Weigman, a recent alumna of the Phi Sigma Sigma sorority.

Jenna Wroclawski, a member of Chi Omega, agreed, suggesting that the philanthropy and community service work of Greeks is heavily overlooked. "We don't just party. My chapter raised enough money to grant a child a wish through the Make-A-Wish foundation with money leftover to buy him a computer. Also, Zeta Tau Alpha does a lot for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation." For Wroclawski and many other students, the stereotypes portrayed on television or in the media are simply false representations or exaggerations of most fraternities and sororities around the nation. "I wish that people would realize that most chapters have a balance between living out the expectations for that chapter and having a social life, as well," said Wroclawski.

The bad reputation associated with the Greek system, however, is not completely misguided. A minority of Greeks who appear to fit the partying and promiscuity labels do show up on nearly every college campus, giving their affiliated organization, as well as the rest of the Greek community, disreputable stereotypes. For Adele Falk, a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, that minority might just be one Greek within a single house. "I think it's more of a reflection of the stupidity of the person and not really the sorority or fraternity itself."

Wroclawski agreed, frustrated by the Greeks who contribute to the stereotype problem. "The promiscuity and constant partying is just outrageous. You can try and try to be a nice, classy woman, but one distasteful member of your chapter is enough to make everyone forget the classiness of the other chapter members."

Recent Kappa Kappa Gamma alumna, Ellen Jenne, had similar sentiments. "I think they should think more about the image that they are perpetuating to the public," she said.

Often, the media targets Greek organizations when an example of poor behaviour makes the news, causing many Greeks, like Kate Reich, a member of the Delta Kappa Theta sorority, to wonder why the media lacks coverage on the behaviour of non-Greek college students. "Plenty of other college students who are not Greek do the exact same things and no one bothers them about it." For Reich, there are just as many non-Greeks on college campuses who enjoy wild partying as there are members of Greek organizations. According to Reich, the coverage appears to be unfairly biased against the Greek system. "It's like the minute you put on letters, the stakes are raised for you, and you're held to a higher standard than other students," she said.

For most Greek chapters, maintaining a fine reputation is an important part of representing the organization. However, the media’s constant spotlight on isolated incidents of distasteful behaviour make it difficult to show the positive achievements of Greeks. The difficulty seems to be understood by many frustrated Greek students around the nation like Kappa Kappa Gamma member Lauren Goodwin. "I feel like society only focuses on the negative aspects. They never seem to discuss the positive aspects of Greek life."