KMPH turns attention to fraternities and alcohol

By Rebecca Martin
The Collegian

A recent three part series has once again highlighted Fresno State’s fraternities, with students taking notice. According to the KMPH series, cadets from the Fresno City Police are going undercover at fraternity houses to participate in ‘sting operations.’ At least some of the cadets are underage and were offered alcohol.

Lisa Hughes, a liberal studies senior, said she goes to fraternity parties, and she does not feel the series reflects what happens at them. She said a security officer at the last party she attended checked her ID.

“I think they just bashed them too much, they give a lot of volunteer hours that nobody looks into,” Hughes said.

Criminology graduate student Aracely Pelayo said drinking is more prominent at fraternities than she originally thought. She considered joining a Greek organization and decided not to because of the large role alcohol played in their socializing.

“I thought you would get to know people, but everything revolved around drinking,” Pelayo said.

Lisa Mangan, Order of Omega President, said Greek organizations do more than drinking. She said fraternities are being more proactive with alcohol education, and are associated with stereotypes by the media, Mangan said. Not only fraternity members drink, Mangan said.

“It’s interesting that the media is pinning it on the fraternities, but really all college students drink,” Mangan said.

Pelayo said students coming to college directly from high school might be more susceptible to this type of social atmosphere.

“It’s a cultural change from high school," Pelayo said. "It only takes one person to go into the drinking phase, and people will follow."

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