I’m well aware that National Lampoon's Animal House and the Dean’s List do not go hand-in-hand. However, I’m sick of the bad reputation Greek life possesses when it comes to academics.

Those of us who are affiliated are not a bunch of half-wits majoring in toga parties. Yes I admit, with all the things going on in college, sometimes we can forget why we’re here. Greek life alone is a huge commitment, and at times it can seem like a world of its own. But if the whole “getting an education thing” in college is cramping your style, don’t blame it on your fraternity.

In fact, being involved in Greek life has actually helped my GPA, as it has for many others. If you don’t believe me, look no further than our very own statistics. Butler’s Fall 2007 Academic Report showed that the all-sorority average for GPA was at a 3.433, while all-unaffiliated women were at a 3.308. The report showed that the all-fraternity average was at a 3.186, while all-unaffiliated men were at a 3.070.

When I became a part of a house, I knew I had to maintain a certain GPA. I knew if I lagged behind, I would be on probation and suffer consequences, such as being excluded from social functions. Having older members around to give advice, and living in a house with a 24-hour quiet computer lab certainly helped a lot.

Now, before you protest that “being unaffiliated does not mean you have a lower GPA, blah, blah, blah,” just calm down. I’m not saying that affiliated students are smarter, c’mon now. I’m simply trying to show that you can be involved with Greek life while upholding your scholarly responsibilities, and in most cases, you can enhance your education.

Mallory Marquie, the vice president of scholarship in the Alpha Tau chapter, said she has seen many students who have succeeded academically because of their fraternity or sorority.

“Being involved in Greek life helps your GPA because there are many additional resources to assist students,” she said. “Certain houses have daily study tables as incentives for members, as well as scholarship opportunities that are limited to members of a Greek house.

"Also, certain events throughout the Greek community, such as formals and semi-formals, require a minimum GPA, motivating members to achieve higher GPA's to reap the social benefits of the community as well."

Marquie said in her position, she has continuously witnessed chapters supporting their members in reaching their highest scholastic potential.

“By joining a Greek house, I have found more educational resources than I could've imagined,” she said. “I know I’ve worked harder in school than I would've had I not become a member of the Greek community. As the director of scholarship, I now work to obtain even more academic resources for other members of the house to improve our scholastic standing and achievements as a whole.”

I think the academic focus in Butler’s Greek community is apparent, but positive statistics can also be found at numerous U.S. campuses. The University of South Dakota’s (USD) 2007 Academic Report says its average Greek women's GPA is 3.22, while its average non-Greek women's GPA is 3.02; their average Greek men's GPA is 3.03, while their average non-Greek men's GPA is 2.84.

USD also reported that 61 percent of Greek students were at or above a 3.0.

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., said in its 2007 Academic Report that the campuses’ all-sorority average is a 3.430, while the all-women’s average is a 3.362, and their all-fraternity average is 3.260, while their all-men’s Average is 3.215.

Whatever the case, I think one thing is clear: Greek Life can be associated with academic success. If you can’t get those “fratty” images of beer bongs and popped collars out of your head, or the idea that stupid sorority girls wear pink and shop all day, then you need to wake up to reality.

Those in the Greek community have shown that they are determined individuals with character and intelligence. So next time you roll your eyes at another “Golf Pros and Tennis Hoes” party, don’t think we’re not serious about our academics.