Jul 01, 2008
Promiscuous girls, scandals, cheaters, hazing and party animals – no, it's not an episode from MTV's "True Life," just the typical stereotypes many identify with fraternities and sororities.
To put these myths and labels to rest, the Office of Greek Affairs established the Greek Orientation team, more commonly known as the GO Team.
For the past seven years, a team of about 15 to 20 students has been selected to represent Greek Affairs during freshmen orientation. Incoming freshman might remember seeing the team dressed in green polos presenting experiences about Greek Life during Get a Life.
Team leader Melissa Sabatier joined the GO team in the hopes of dispelling Greek stereotypes.
"A lot of people say we are party animals and cheaters who have test banks. Our purpose above all is to squash these stereotypes and to prove to those who are incoming [freshmen] or already on campus that we are more then what a lot of people think we are," Sabatier said.
In May, the team began putting together a video for incoming students at orientation. The film highlights how joining a fraternity or sorority will make a difference in a student's life.
The group has been given the opportunity to input ideas and visions regarding how they want to present Greek life to incoming freshmen.
This year, the team will be focusing more on presenting to first year experience classes, setting information tables throughout the University and possibly presenting at high schools for future students.
From capturing an audience of anywhere between 200 to 300 students, to pleasing administration and peers and making sure everyone is represented correctly is the team's biggest obstacle, stated Thathine "Chini" Camargo, the teams previous advisor. It is impossible to please everyone but, despite the barrier, the team has tried to be as creative as it can.
Opening with a presentation video showing crazy parties with alcoholic games, the team catches the attention of freshmen sitting at orientation.
"The team has really stepped it up and taken initiative and just created this presentation on its own," said Camargo, with high hopes and excitement for the team.
In order to be involved in GO team, students must be a part of a fraternity or sorority and have a minimum GPA of a 2.5. Applications are usually out by January at the Campus Life office located in GC2240.
Other requirements include getting the signature of the president of their organization and their advisor.
Applicants go through an interview process where various staff and students from Campus Life sit on the committee to decide who will be a good asset to the team. The new team is announced at the Greek BBQ during the spring semester.
GO team member Sheska Ocasio, a junior majoring in public relations, recalls her first presentation that took place at the beginning of June.
"The first day we presented I was scared. I remember being on that stage and seeing a lot of people in the ballrooms, but it's the fact that it was something I wasn't use to," said Ocasio. "You have to watch out for other people's backs and stay on your toes to make sure we give students accurate information. I was nervous until we started rolling with the punches with our video."
"Don't embrace the stereotypes."
It is a message the team is trying to get across to students and the quote they used to end their video.
For more information on GO team, contact graduate assistant Joanna Garcia at Jgarc154@fiu.edu