Thesis (M.S.)--Oregon State University, 2010. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 101-103). Also available on the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1966. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 1994. / Vita. Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-104). Also available via the Internet.

The purpose of the study was to gather sufficient data from a campus questionnaire and subsequent follow-up interview with the primary college administrators within the target population to accurately describe conditions of the fraternity systems on those campuses. The population for this study consisted of selective, small, private colleges and universities in the Northeast and Middle Atlantic region of the country. The target population of twenty-six colleges and universities was identified from the respondents to the campus questionnaire and included schools from the states of Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.

This study examines stereotypes of fraternities and sororities in the media. Recently the media, particularly movies and television, has produced numerous portrayals of fraternal organi zations. Through thi s study a content analysis of the television show GREEK from ABC Family was conducted. The first seven episodes were analyzed answer the following questions: Were stereotypes of fratern ities and sororities pmirayed through these episodes? If so, what were the stereotypes? Five stereotypes were studied for fraternities and six for sororities. Definitions of the chosen stereotypes are identified in the literature and recorded. Tally markers were used to tabulate each portrayal of stereotypes. An average of the three viewings was then calculated to help maximize the reliability of this study. The results were further manipulated to determine the frequency of both the fraternity and sorority stereotypes individually as well as together. Stereotypes were found throughout the television series. Fraternity stereotypes were recorded more often than sorority stereotypes. This study allows us to better understand the portrayals of fraternity and sorority life as shown in GREEK.

Since the initial experiences of the college freshman were regarded as critical to his personal and social adjustment, the present study had as its primary purpose the investigation of the effects of deferred rush and pledging on a student's first year as Southern Methodist University. More specifically, the study investigated the effects of deferred rush and pledging on the following factors: 1. The effect on academic achievement of a selected group of freshmen. 2. The effect on the drop-out rate of a selected group of freshmen. 3. The effect on the extent to which a selected group of freshmen use the University Health Center. 4. The effect on the extent to which a selected group of freshmen used the Psychological Services of the University.

Thesis advisor: Heather T. Rowan-Kenyon / College fraternities are routinely associated with alcohol use and hazing (e.g., Wechsler, Kuh, & Davenport, 1996; Allan & Madden, 2008). These outcomes can lead to troubling consequences for fraternity members, and other stakeholders (DeSantis, 2007; Syrett, 2009). The masculine norm climates perpetuated by fraternities may contribute to fraternity men’s alcohol use and hazing motivations (Kimmel, 2008; Syrett, 2009). However, not all fraternity members conform to hegemonic masculinity (Anderson, 2008; Harris & Harper, 2014). The masculine norm climates collectively espoused by fraternities may vary between chapters, and these differences may explain members’ alcohol use and endorsement of hazing rationales (DeSantis, 2007). In addition, organizational socialization tactics have been found to relate to the outcomes of newcomers (e.g., Ashforth & Saks, 1996), and these tactics may explain differences that exist across the population of chapters for the relationships among members’ conformity to masculine norms and their alcohol use or endorsement of hazing rationales. No prior study had utilized a large, multi-institutional sample to examine if fraternity members’ alcohol use or support of hazing rationales varied between fraternity chapters, or if the masculine norm climates promoted by chapters predict these outcomes. To address this gap, this study collected data from 2,678 undergraduates from a single college men’s social fraternity represented at 76 colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. Utilizing a critical postmodern quantitative inquiry, the data were analyzed through descriptive analyses and hierarchical linear modeling (HLM). The findings indicate that fraternity members’ alcohol use and endorsement of hazing rationales varied between fraternity chapters. Chapter heterosexual presentation climate was positively related to a member’s alcohol use. Risk-taking, heterosexual-presentation and playboy climates were positively related to members’ endorsement of social dominance hazing rationale, whereas the violence climate perpetuated by a fraternity chapter was negatively related to this rationale. Risk-taking climate was positively associated with the endorsement of solidarity and instrumental education hazing rationales. Investiture socialization climate was found to not moderate relationships among individual masculine norms and hazing rationales. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2018. / Submitted to: Boston College. Lynch School of Education. / Discipline: Educational Leadership and Higher Education.

This study examined the academic achievement of national social fraternity pledges compared to non-fraternity students at the University of Texas at Arlington. It was done to determine whether significant differences existed between the grade point averages of pledges of social fraternities and those of students who did not pledge a social fraternity, and to determine whether significant differences existed among fraternities when compared with each other with respect to academic achievement. This study was meant to provide a research design that could be used by other colleges and universities with fraternities to conduct the same comparison of academic performance. In the fall semester of 1989, 164 pledges were selected as the population for the study to be matched with non-fraternity students based on Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores, age, sex, classification, academic major, and number of hours attempted. A T-test of like groups was performed on the entire population with no significant difference found at the .05 level between all the fraternity pledges and all the matched pairs. A T-test of like groups was performed on the pledges from each separate organization and there was a significant difference among three of the fraternities. Two of the fraternities had significantly higher grade point averages than those of their matched pairs, and one group of matched pairs had a significantly higher grade point average than the fraternity. Of the 17 fraternities, 12 had higher grade point averages than their matched pairs and five of the matched pairs had higher grade point averages than the fraternities. The results of this study show that objective data can be collected to address the issue of academic excellence comparing fraternity and non-fraternity populations. It is recommended that further study be conducted in this area to establish longitudinal data, with specific examination of the scholarship programs of the individual groups that showed significant differences in academic performance.

This ethnographic study describes the patterns of decorating in the study rooms of university sorority women. The primary method of data were collection was by means of interviews with sorority members. Observations and photographs of the study rooms of these members supplemented the interviews and provided validation for categorization purposes. A large body of research exists related to the effects and implications of sorority membership. Because much of this research is quantitative, it does not allow for the descriptive type data collected in the context of the culture which may be utilized in a qualitative study. The purpose of the present study was to document the decorating patterns of the informants and to identify cultural values and expressions of individual identity in the decoration of their living spaces. This study contributes to existing research on college student decorating patterns by relating the items used for decorations to cultural and individual values. In addition, it provides a detailed description of how the space in the study rooms is utilized. The data are also evaluated based on demographic information gathered. The results of this study indicated that the members of Alpha Beta sorority expressed certain cultural values by using similar items to decorate their rooms and by exhibiting common ways of using their living space. One of the values expressed by the members in their decorating was that of comfort, both physical and mental. Comfort was demonstrated in conditions such as the degree of tidiness of the room, the color scheme, the photos on display or the level of self expression available to the individual. Examples of identity expression were also evident in these study rooms. Items indicating personal accomplishments, items from personal collections and objects used for hobbies were found in many rooms. Conclusions drawn from this study were first, that the desire to decorate was nearly universal among the members of Alpha Beta sorority. Second, the desire for self expression seemed to be a significant motivation for decorating, although there was evidence of some peer pressure as well. Third, decorating generally, and decorating using a theme, appeared to be a behavior members embraced more readily over time. Interactions over time allowed for the cultural values related to decorating the study room to be acquired. This process is facilitated by the significance of the social network within the sorority culture. This study contributes to an understanding of how cultural and personal values are expressed in the study rooms of sorority women, and by extension, the values that could be expected in other interior environments. / Graduation date: 1999

College students find belonging at institutions in multiple ways. For college women, the relationships they form through their involvements are important in their social integration. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the social integration experiences of sorority women who live in residence halls. This study was grounded in qualitative, phenomenological methodology. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with sorority women living in the residence halls who were at least sophomores. The researcher found sorority women had positive experiences of community and enriched relationship opportunities through their involvement in their sororities and residence halls. The women studied referenced the few relationships they made with the other people who lived near them in the residence hall. While these relationships were important to them, they were not as important as the relationships formed with their sisters in their sorority. Sisterhood provides a deeper, more meaningful connection shared through the bond of ritual and tradition. Implications for practice and suggestions for future research were also suggested. / Department of Educational Studies