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Savannah Ashley
Professor Taylor
ENC 1102 T/Th 12-1:15
17 March 2015
Initial Research Proposal
Research Direction
I want to research on a broad spectrum relating to Greek life in general asking what
benefits there are of being in a sorority and how they operate on college campuses. Then, I want
to dive deeper and focus on my sorority specifically - Delta Zeta (DZ). This chapter is fairly new
at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and I aim to research what impact being new has on
life in the sorority. Using my sorority specifically, I can find out what makes DZ special as
opposed to other sororities. I can go on to explain the benefits and the processes that come with
being new to Greek life on a college campus and new to a Greek letter organization

So What?
This subject is worth further investigation because not many people understand the
benefits of being in a sorority. There are many experiences and opportunities given to those who
participate in Greek Life and it needs to be broadcasted. Unfortunately, there are a number of
negative stereotypes about sororities and I wish to shed light on the positive things that go along
with involvement in Greek Life. Also, regarding the fact that I am a part of a new sorority in
UCF, I want to shed light on all that is involved in creating a new chapter on a college campus.
There is a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication that goes along with this. There are
things many people do not know about the difficulties in creating a foundation and reputation for

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a Greek letter organization and the chapter. Highlighting these things and diving even deeper
into these topics will make the investigation worthwhile.

Why Has This Not Been Resolved?

These negative stereotypes of sororities are due to the lack of knowledge of what
sororities actually encompass. Many gather their knowledge of Greek Life from the media,
which portrays negative images of sororities based on partying and drinking. The continuance of
these images throughout movies as well as the lack of awareness for the positive side of
sororities are the reasons there is negative light on Greek Life.

What Do I Hope To Learn?

Because I am new to Greek Life, I hope to learn the benefits of being in any sorority.
Then, I hope to learn the specific benefits of being in a new sorority and even being in Delta Zeta
by itself. Each sorority has something else to offer and I want to learn more about the one of
which I am a part. Also, I am eager to learn the processes of starting a new chapter and how to
work together to make it successful.

Who Else Cares?

College campuses as well as Greek Life care about spreading the positive awareness of
sororities impact in the community and on the individuals inside the sorority. UCF even has a
program, Become, that focuses on the benefits of Greek Life.
Initial Sources

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Philanthropy - May I Give Graciously of What Is Mine." Delta Zeta UCF. Pi Xi Chapter Delta
Zeta Sorority, n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.deltazetaucf.com/philanthropy.html>.

"Sorority Life: A Values Based Experience." Sorority Life. NPC In The News, 11 Jan. 2013.
Web. 10 Mar. 2015. <http://www.thesororitylife.com/newsDetail.aspx?id=63>.

"Sorority Purpose." Delta Zeta Enriching. Constitution of the Delta Zeta Sorority, Article II,
Sections 1. and 2., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
<http://www.deltazeta.org/aboutus/sororitypurpose>.

UCF Fraternity and Sorority Life- Become.. 2014. Youtube. Web. 10 Mar. 2015.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mhuq5bXTEp4>.