Fraternity Life is Redefining Convention

Name: Beau Blumberg
Class of: 2011
Hometown: Miami, FL
Major: Government
Fraternity: Delta Phi

Why did you choose to join a fraternity?

I came into college not really wanting to join a fraternity but, I decided to give it a try after just about everyone who I talked to had positive things to say about the Greek system as a whole. People did say negative things but, the positives people were saying outweighed all the negatives.  I went around to the different fraternities and got the different vibes from each. The 1^st vibe that I got was a fraternity is a lifelong brother hood.  This means that they are going to be your friends and brothers through the good times and the bad and when we are old and young. Another vibe I got was that these are typically the more involved student leaders on campus who want to help change and make William and Mary great. This feeds into their dedication to service and other philanthropies both within and outside of their own fraternity. One thing that surprised me is that people cared and supported the Greek system as a whole, because I thought once a person joined them, they only hung out with the people in their fraternities but, that is not the case at all at William and Mary. Every fraternity gave off these vibes with different spins and, all were welcoming.

Do you ever feel constrained by the stereotypes that people have about fraternity men?

I do not feel constrained by stereotypes. I just finished pledging and people kept asking me how much did they make me drink during pledging or did they paddle me? I usually laugh and say there is no way they would ever have do that. Stereotypes also go a lot deeper than that. Once people knew I was pledging or if I was in a fraternity they started to assume I partied on every Monday through Saturday night but, that can't be farther from the truth. Yes, I do go out but, it is not on a daily basses and I really don't know anyone who does that. People also like to assume that partying is the only reason why fraternities and sororities are around. This could not be farther from the truth.

What is was the most surprising thing you have found about being in a fraternity?

The most surprising thing I have found is the level of support all your brothers give you. I know being a yoga instructor is not a typical college occupation let alone a fraternity activity but, just about everyone of my fraternity brothers have come to a class or wanted a lesson. This also expands outside of my own fraternity because I know there are a lot of guys that are not in my fraternity but, still come and support my yoga class. They also support me in my other activities such as club sailing or colorblind.

Can you talk about your experience as a yoga instructor and its connections to your fraternity experience?

There are very few yoga instructors that are also in fraternities mostly because most yoga instructors tend to be a lot older than me and don't go to western schools. I have been a yoga instructor since the end of my junior year in high school. My yoga teacher was a tri-delta at the University of Florida and really encouraged me to rush and join a fraternity as well as try and start a Greek yoga class but, that is still in the works. She was not a teacher while she was in tri-delta but, still goes back to her chapter and I think just recently helped them with a campaign to buy a new house. I have taught a range of people from senior citizens, varsity athletes such as the William and Mary football team and everyone in-between. I decided to join a fraternity my second semester sophomore year. I had a little hesitation when I was rushing to tell people that I was a yoga instructor because being a fraternity usually does not mean going to yoga classes. I am lucky that my classes at the rec are always full and I have noticed that the majority of my students are Greek. I feel pretty confident to say that I have taught at least one member of each sorority if not more and I am still working on all the fraternities. A lot of my pledge projects were to teach the brothers in my fraternity yoga. Many had never tried it but, loved the class at the end and now they make regular appearances in my yoga class. The rec center is developing a stronger yoga program and I am working with them as well to help with this.