ABC Family's new series Greek is stirring more than just laughter across the campus of Miami University.

Described as a dramedy, the series relies on traditional stereotypes of fraternities and sororities to create drama. The Delta Delta Delta (Tri Delta) sorority, among others, has nationally formed several statements in regards to the content of the show.

"We realize it is entertainment," said Michelle Shimberg, the international president for Tri Delta. "There are things exaggerated and overdone. We wanted to speak out to those who watch the show to offer a more balanced view of what the Greek environment is all about."

The Greek community rests upon five pillars: service and philanthropy, scholarship and learning, leadership, brotherhood and sisterhood, and community. Miami senior Amanda Makulec, vice president of standards of the Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and Leadership, believes the show Greek does not represent these pillars that the Greek community-including Miami's-uphold.

"It does not follow with the fundamental principles of Panhellenic, as outlined in our creed and mission, which is difficult to remedy," said Makulec, via e-mail. "When a program sheds so much negative light on being Greek-through commercials, marketing, and the show itself-it is difficult to appreciate the entertainment value the show holds for many other individuals."

However, according to Shimberg, nationally Tri Delta does see positive potential of the show Greek.

"It is obviously very popular and ABC has extended the show's run, and so to us that seems like a very positive opportunity to have people who are watching the show learn about the Greek system," Shimberg said. "We think that the positive side of the show is that there is interest in the Greek community and what it means to be part of the Greek community and for us that's very positive."

However, a concern for Miami's Greek community is how potential members, who have not yet been educated about Greek life, may view it.

"There has been some general frustration with the way the Greek

community is perceived on the program, as it fails to highlight the positive aspects of Greek life while focusing mainly on the social component," Makulec said. "The program also promotes underage drinking to its target audience, which includes many of our future potential new members."

According to Shimberg, Tri Delta is nationally concerned with how stereotypical behavior of Greek life is being portrayed-binge drinking, promiscuous sex and drug use.

"To me and Tri Delta, the Greek stereotypes that are being promoted may discourage people from getting involved and getting to know what the true sorority experience is about," Shimberg said. "Some of the superficial behavior comes across the character lines and it comes across as though the show is supporting them."

Shimberg said she does not want any of negative behaviors to become glamorized to any students, not just Greek students. Additionally, Shimberg is concerned with how the women of Greek life specifically are being portrayed.

"I really think that its import that everyone understand and recognizes that college students and Greek women are multifaceted and are very committed ... Those kinds of things have not been depicted on the show today," Shimberg said.

In an effort to educate the public about Greek life and the false depiction of sorority life shown through ABC Family's show, Tri Delta has given several statements, the first being issued July 9, in regards to Greek.

"We have been very proactive speaking out about the show," Shimberg said. "Even before it aired we reached out to ABC Family and offered Tri Delta as a resource so they could make some female lines more reflective of the Greek experience, but they never responded."

On the Miami campus, the Tri Delta chapter has been made aware of the situation and has been asked to make the sisters aware of the problems found with the show Greek.

"They have issued a national statement and have made all the presidents aware and asked us to share the idea with our chapter," said Cassandra Rico, president of Miami's Tri Delta chapter. "We have only had one chapter meeting so far and I haven't had the chance to discuss it with our girls because the year has just started, but it is something I plan on talking about with our girls."

Rico is concerned with the affect the show will have on recruitment this year.

"In general it's a good thing to put it out there for the girls and let them know they up are against some odds when there is a popular show on TV showing one side of what Greek life is like," Rico said. "You are going to run into people who think that's all there is to Greek life, but it definitely is not."

Miami intends on educating students interested in fraternities and sororities about the inaccurate view of Greek life prior to rush.

"They are talking about addressing the issue with possible members before recruitment so they know that is not what we are all about and get familiar with other aspects of Greek life," said Claire Dickerson, vice president of public relations for Panhel. "At the start of recruitment meetings we will address the show and the myth that it creates so that they know what our community is about."

According to Makulec, the National Panhellenic Conference has not made a national statement about Greek but individual other sororities besides Tri Delta have, such as Kappa Alpha Theta.

While some sororities have presented national statements, other sororities on the Miami campus remain indifferent to the show Greek.

"Gamma Phi Beta does not have a policy on it either way," said Katherine Ruhl, president of Miami's chapter. "They are not condemning nor are they supporting it. Their policy is that they are indifferent to it as of right now."

Ruhl does not find the show applicable to Miami's campus due to the restrictions on the existence of sorority houses.

"Personally I think that the show is obviously an exaggerated version of what Greek life is like," Ruhl said. "I have a hard time applying it to sorority life on our campus because we do not have houses."

As for what is to be done with the show Greek, Panhel at Miami hopes to see a more accurate depiction of Greek life being portrayed.

"We would hope to see more positive representations of Greek life, highlighting the sisterhood, service, scholarship, leadership, and community aspects of being a member of a sorority," Makulec said, via e-mail. "Sorority women at Miami find lifelong friends, donate countless service hours, raise thousands of dollars for charitable organizations, and are active members of many Miami organizations. These aspects of Greek life are what we would love to see presented to the show's viewers."

Additional reporting contributed by Austin Fast.