Whether there is truth to these stereotypical associations or not, the solid community service presence and the leadership qualities developed through Greek life are often overlooked by extreme pledging rituals and instances of hazing on campuses throughout the country.

The deep root that Greek life has in tradition makes it difficult for university officials to crack down on extreme activity during recruitment. It also presents problems for current members who want to break away from these stereotypes.

“A lot of people think we’re just about partying or getting drunk all the time, like Animal House or something,” said Caitlin Fields, senior member of Rochester Institute of Technology’s chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority. “They don’t understand the part we play in the community,” she added.

Though the practices at different colleges and universities vary throughout the country, the basic process is pretty uniform—Formal Recruitment, or Rush Week, is a time for fraternities and sororities to both appeal to and inform potential new members.

The recruitment process usually begins with an open house, which gives interested students the chance to walk house to house and speak with the fraternity and sorority members.

Standard concerns usually include how participation in Greek life will affect grades, if their parents will approve of group practices, the extent of hazing and the costs of both time and finances.

The next phase involves social or philanthropic events that can range from an evening at Turning Stone Casino in New York — as Cornell University fraternities have done — to a night of making cards for cancer patients at a local hospital [at Rochester Institute of Technology].

At most schools throughout the country, Formal Recruitment is held during the spring semester. This gives freshmen the opportunity to become acquainted with the campus culture and the place they would like to have in it.

“They want freshmen to shop around and find the best fit before deciding on one [fraternity/sorority],” said Dennis Shen, a member of Cornell University’s Zeta Psi fraternity.