Do frats encourage or just condone partying?

Both!: It actually depends on the fraternity, but many of them are "clubs" that pressure young adults into excess. Drugs, alcohol, partying, dangerous/risky activities are typical of most fraternities. That's not to say that they are all bad or they should be abolished. Many also do a great deal of positive things for the community. They are just usually linked to outrageous partying!

Both: College social fraternities and sororities provide a warm, caring milieu in which college-age people -- who will do wild and crazy things -- can do them in relative safety. Community service by these people is equally part of greek life, members learn responsibilities and hold jobs in the chapter, and top business and civic leaders are disproportionately former campus greeks.