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Once upon a time, Greek social organizations on campus were known as noble groups of community-minded college students. America's oldest sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, was founded at Wesleyan Female College in Macon, Ga., in 1851. The first six members included several daughters of Methodist Bishops and pastors. The creed begins: "I believe in Alpha Delta Pi. I believe that my sorority is more than a ritual or a symbol; that it is a way of life. I believe that the principles established by our founders in 1851 are enduring attributes, exemplifying the highest ideals of Christian womanhood."

Now days, however, these "brothers" and"sisters" are better known for their notorious lifestyles than for their noble ideals. A 2000 Harvard School of Public Health study reveals that four of five students who live in Greek houses are binge drinkers. The University of California at Berkeley fraternity was temporarily closed last spring after a pledge was shot repeatedly with a pellet gun.

While Greek society at secular institutions has lost its Christian flavor through the years, CCCU colleges and universities are still building community-for the most part, without the help of frats and sororities.

"Evangel University (MO) utilizes living arrangements in residence halls as well as campus spiritual life to develop strong community," says David Bundrick, Evangel's vice president for student development. Floors have councils, names and theme Scriptures, social events and floor devotionals. "This system creates the positive aspects of community life while avoiding the negative activities and connotations of Greek life," he says.

Mike Rakes, vice president for student development at Southeastern University (FL), favors a whole-campus approach. "Pathways to Belonging" are family-style events (i.e. cookouts and softball games) designed to pull freshmen into community. Other community-building initiatives grow out of whatever the students are interested in. "We like organic approaches, so kids can build community through things that are important to them," says Rakes.

Instead of hazing each other at the beginning of the year, Taylor University (IN) students are often known to wash each other's feet after the model Christ gives in John13:5-20. The student-initiated practice is such a part of Taylor's ethos that graduating seniors are handed both their diplomas and a symbolic towel to represent an on going commitment to serving others. Female residence hall wings adopt "brother wings" (likewise, male residence wings adopt "sister wings") at the beginning of each fall. Throughout the year, these brother and sister wings pair up for various social activities, forging healthy community among the men and women.

Ginny Carpenter, vice president for student development at Trinity Christian College (IL), says she can appreciate certain elements of the Greek system, such as camaraderie, networking and service opportunities. And while she also notes that certain reputable sororities and fraternities are connected to academic programs, Carpenter reports that the Greek system does not exist at Trinity.

"When I look at the purpose they play in larger universities, I can appreciate there is something positive about what fraternities and sororities can offer," says Carpenter. "I am incidentally grateful that here at Trinity we have a close community and a fairly easy system for students to organize into affinity groups."

Trinity students can join any number of groups, whether it's an academic club or a student-initiated service or interest (i.e. climbing) group. The residential life program is also significant in terms of providing a sense of belonging. "Most students already have a solid identity as believers," adds Carpenter.

Gordon College (MA) dean of students, Barry Loy, identifies more than a dozen ways Gordon fosters community among the students. For example, all first year students are required to participate in either a 12-day wilderness trip or a seven-week experiential class. Several majors develop close communities (i.e. music, youth ministry, sociology), and students form their own Bible studies, fellowship groups and often music bands as well.

"As a residential campus (89 percent of all our students live on campus), we intentionally emphasize the building of community on each of our 60 residence hall units," says Loy. "We have professional resident directors and student resident assistants who direct this community building effort."  The residence program also has several theme or learning houses that are devoted to community development and learning, such as the Race and Reconciliation House, Project Elijah and Environmental Issues.

While the vast majority of CCCU campuses forfeit the Greek system as a means to create community, Union University (TN) integrates fraternities and sororities into the context of its Christ-centered higher education.

"From what I have seen on campuses I have visited and read about others, the Greek groups themselves are not the problem; they are amoral," says Neal Rager, Union's Coordinator of Student Leadership Development. "Those who join the groups with poor motivations prove to transform them from people built around noble ideals into a hedonistic horde. Granted, Union's student groups are far from perfect, but I think the model established at Union is much closer to the Greek organizational ideal than can be presented anywhere else."

Rager reports that Union's Greek organizations are a major source of belonging for between one-fifth and one-fourth of Union's students, with an even higher retention rate than the university as a whole. The groups support the university mission in every aspect, being Christ-centered, people-focused, excellence-driven and future-directed, says Rager. "If integrated within the context of Christian higher education, these groups can contribute positively to the university and surrounding community with uncommon passion and loyalty."

The Council for Christian Colleges & Universities is a higher education association of  more than 170 intentionally Christ-centered institutions around the world. There are now 105 member campuses in North America and all are fully-accredited, comprehensive colleges and universities with curricula rooted in the arts and sciences. In addition, 71 affiliate campuses from 24 countries are part of the CCCU. The Council's mission is to advance the cause of Christ-centered higher education and to help its institutions transform lives by faithfully relating scholarship and service to biblical truth.