project proposal

Leeann Barrett
Proposal
For my research project, what I intend on studying are the Greek community. When I say Greek one my think that I am talking about people who are born or live in Rome but what I am referring to is the Sorority and the Fraternity community; more specifically historically black Fraternities and Sororities. This community can be found mainly at accredited colleges around the United States. Some Fraternities and sororities have also opened their wings to foreign countries for example the West Indies, South America and Japan. This society is most seen as the ‘jocks and cheerleaders’ of college. Just like in High School where it seemed as though they were in control of everything and no matter what they did they still managed to succeed and do well in school, it is the same with the Greek community; t he good version of the ‘untouchable’. The only difference is that this power that they have does not end when graduation comes. Members of these societies are often part of other organizations other than the brotherhood or sisterhood they are a part of. They have known to help with student affairs, administration and participate in outside organizations like the Big Brothers of America program for children that need a mentor in their lives because of the lack of a parental figure and the Breast Cancer Association. They are the future leaders of America.
The reason I choose this topic is mainly because I am interested in joining a sorority. I found that not only can this be an interesting group to observe but also that this will be a valuable learning experience for me. Through doing this research I will be able to better educate myself as well as serve as a vessel to maybe impact another individual in their decision of whether they would like to join a brotherhood/ sister hood. Their personality and the wonder of their secret society is what caught my interest. They are the over achieves of society. They may be in the background but if one looks at many firms and within congress as well as look at many of our former presidents, a majority of them are part of a brotherhood/ sisterhood or have pledges.
Some questions I would like to answer are:
• When did this idea of creating Fraternities and Sororities come about
• How does this translate to their everyday (for active and inactive members)?
• How their families deal with them being part of a secret society and not being about to fully explain and tell them what the brotherhood/ sisterhood is about?
• Why do people join?
• What is the general relationship between the different sororities and fraternities? Is there any animosity or rivalry between them?
• Is there a ranking system lie in the military?
• How do overseas branches function in the same way?
• What recruitment events are done? What types?
• Average number of people pledge each year
• How Greek symbols are chosen and what they mean
• Why some fraternities and Sororities step/ stroll when presenting themselves?
• How they decide which philanthropy is chosen for them to participate in
• What is the Elite Eight and how were there brotherhoods/ sisterhoods chosen?
• How does one become an honorable member? The head of the fraternity/ sorority?
I have done some previous research on Sororities and Fraternities by their official visiting websites (for example www.aka1908.com and www.pbk.org) and also by getting some back ground information about their history and other fraternities that they may be a part of or have some connection to. One other thing that I did is to read some of the Greek blogs that are up for people who want to join or get a feel of the sisterhood/ brotherhood.
How I intend on doing this research is though the interviewing of different members of these sororities/ Fraternities. My first plan in doing this is by getting in touch with some people in the community who are apart of a brotherhood/ sisterhood and by visiting the Alpha Kappa Alpha Queens headquarter in St. Albans. I will also research some events that are going on. Another thing I am planning to do is use articles from project muse and jstor.
Some obstacles I am going to face is the idea of confidentiality. Some aspects of the brotherhood/ sisterhood members cannot express to outsiders. Some things I have to consider is that I am trying to rush also so I have to be careful what I ask and how I present the sorority. Another obstacle I might face is the events that I am planning to attend. If they are scheduled during Sabbath then I will not be able to attend and some of the events may include travel to another campus outside the tri-state area or I may have to go upstate.