Sunday, September 14, 2008 Selected frats get assistance from agencies, study reports
SOME fraternities in Central Visayas are getting financial support not just from their local chapters but also from government offices to sustain their operations, a study by the Cebu Normal University (CNU) showed.
In “Sororities and Fraternities: Status, Perception and Prospects,” Prof. Ester Velasquez said she was amazed that fraternities secured financial support from government offices.
The study was presented during the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) council quarterly meeting at the Capitol Social Hall last Friday. It did not state, however, which agencies provided the financial support nor which fraternities received them.
Police Regional Office 7 Director Ronald Roderos asked for a copy of the study, which might help them monitor these organizations and their effects on the youth.
Velasquez, CNU president, also furnished Roderos a copy of a list of active fraternities in Cebu City and how they maintain their operations.
In Central Visayas, there are about 23 fraternities with estimated active members of 20 to 50,000.
Each fraternity imposes a mandatory membership fee ranging from P20 to P300 and annual dues of P1,000. The annual budget ranges from P5,000 to P150,000.
The most common reason individuals joined fraternities was the need for friends.
Other reasons they cited for why they joined fraternities were curiosity, benefits of group membership and persuasion by others.
The study surveyed 349 high school and 361 college students, of whom 142 belonged to fraternities.
The study also quoted non-members as saying they did not join fraternities because they saw no good in doing so, they were afraid their studies might be affected, or their parents warned them against joining such groups.
“Some non-frat members perceived fraternities as non-violent, good organizations, thus they intend to join in the future. Membership to fraternities would increase,” the study noted.
Fraternity offices have at least two to 30 staffers who handle their operations.
Most college teachers, according to the study, suggested having fraternities accredited as school organizations so it would be easy for the school to supervise and monitor their activities. (GMD)
