Partying and hazing have been synonymous with sororities and fraternities for decades. Fresno State Greeks, however, are working to change that stereotype.

According to the Fresno State Student Involvement office, there are 38 social and cultural Greek organizations. Student Activities and Greek Life Advisor Eddie Dominguez said philanthropy efforts are initiated and implemented by students in Greek organizations.

With Rush Week coming to a close, many students involved in sororities and fraternities have started to make plans for the upcoming school year. Among those plans are ways in which they can further serve their community, all while dispelling stereotypes about Greek Life.

Political science major and Sigma Chi fraternity member Andrew Renteria said one of the cornerstones of Greek Life is a commitment to community service and philanthropy.

Renteria is proud of his fraternity’s success in fundraising. With their participation in Kids Day and a number of other events, Sigma Chi has been able to raise $11,000 for Children’s Hospital Central California. Renteria hopes to exceed that amount this year.

Chapters of Fresno State’s fraternities and sororities often have levels of community service. Psychology major and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority member Ann-Marie Clayton said her sorority has three tiers of philanthropy: National, local and internal.

Internally, her sorority supports the Kappa Kappa Gamma foundation, “which works to support Kappa’s in need,” Clayton said.

Nationally, Kappa Kappa Gamma supports Reading is Fundamental (RIF) and locally, they support Stone Soup—both organizations that aim to assist children and teens. RIF is the nation’s largest literacy organization for children and Stone Soup is an organization that prepares children and teens for a strong start in school.

“Greek philanthropy is outshone by the few tragedies in our Greek community’s experience,” Clayton said.

The tragedies Clayton is referring to include incidents when University policies are violated within the Greek system.

“The stigma that Greeks are all about partying and hazing is engrained in the minds of people who don’t know [what the organization is about],” said Clayton. To accept that we are community-minded individuals would take the sensationalism out of the stigma.”

Political science major and Delta Sigma Phi fraternity member William Daly said that Greek community service efforts are not part of some sort of public relations scheme, but rather a part of their principles.

“Delta Sigma Phi’s three main founding principles are culture, harmony and friendship; to live in harmony is to give back to those that are less fortunate or give in a manner that will better improve the community,” Daly said.

Delta Sigma Phi has a national partnership with the American Red Cross. It’s called “Blood, Sweat and Cash.” The fraternity has committed to coordinate the donation of 50,000 pints of blood, performing 75,000 hours of community service (sweat), and contributing $100,000 to the Red Cross.

“We’re determined to help those in our community, nation and world, regardless of the credit we do or do not receive for it,” Clayton said.

Although there is frustration among the three students because their efforts to serve the community are often buried by stereotypes and stigmas, they continue their commitment to community service and philanthropy.

“I don’t think one Kappa can say they’ve gotten where they are alone—philanthropy gives us a chance to give back,” said Clayton.

“It also allows us to graciously accept how blessed we are, and one hour, one dollar and one step at a time, we do our very best to prove how grateful we are by trying to improve the quality of the lives of others.”