My name is Nick Feldman, and I’m a frat boy.

I party too much, study too little and do dumb things more than is safe or reasonable. How I managed to turn this column in on time is a mystery even to me. It’s a good life.

OK, stop. If I hadn’t said anything more, how many of you would have bought that image?

The truth is a little different: I’m a good student, venereal-disease-free and I actually sleep more than I drink.

Because of the media, isolated incidents and widely held (but false) ideas, fraternity and sorority life has been pummeled with myths and stereotypes. I’ll do my best to knock a few out and debunk some of the bigger ones.

The “Animal House” myth

I’m not going to argue that we don’t party in the Greek Community, and just as in any situation, sometimes the fun gets a little out of hand. The unfortunate actions of a few have earned bad press and worse reputations.

For the most part, we’re good people with self-control and healthy livers. We respect women, the University and the community — this I promise you.

I would never try to convince you that there are no “animal houses” on college campuses in this country or even on our campus, but most aren’t. Come take a look — I bet you’ll be surprised.

The “Cult-Like Secrecy” myth

There are many facets to fraternity and sorority life that are difficult to understand from the outside looking in, if only because it’s hard for someone to identify with something that’s not a part of his or life.

A key idea of Greek Life is that the friendship among brothers and sisters is stronger than other friendships because of the oaths taken, secrets shared and values upheld. As it’s said in my house, our brotherhood is based on mutual dependence and esteem.

Though secrecy and ritual are an important part of being Greek, that doesn’t mean we’re a cult — it’s what makes us unique. It’s our culture.

The “Purchased Friendship” myth

To join many fraternities and sororities, you’re expected to pay your rent and house dues every quarter in addition to your one-time initiation fee. Sadly, sometimes people interpret this as paying for the relationships you develop with your brothers and sisters.

That couldn’t be more wrong. Initiation into a house — even the chance for initiation — is earned and fought for. You develop a bond by achieving goals, completing projects and undergoing trials — not by buying it. In most houses, money has nothing to do with it.

We’ve all become familiar with Greek stereotypes. Some of them are true, but a lot of them aren’t.

At the end of the day, members of the Greek community are not that different from most students — we’re normal people.

This column is to tell the true story, for better or worse. I want people to gain insight into how things really are to live as a member of the Greek system at the UW.

As cliché as it might sound, my decision to “Go Greek” and pledge Theta Delta Chi is easily the best one I’ve ever made. Going Greek isn’t for everyone, but it’s brought me the best friends I’ve ever had and more personal growth than I could have ever hoped for.

That’s my idea — to show you that we are capable of shedding the “sorostitute” and “frat boy” images and that we are instead becoming sorority women and fraternity men.

[Reach columnist Nick Feldman at features@thedaily.washington.edu.]