Dear, College Students not associated with Greek Life,
Greek life isn’t all about parties.
Greek life isn’t all about parties.
Although I respect your opinion, I myself will have to disagree with one, out of the many, stereotypes “We are just here for a Party” http://blog.tilt.com/15-greek-life-stereotypes-that-everyone-thinks-are-true/. We are here at college for first an education and then extracurricular activities. I do not want you to feel as if I am scolding you for assuming things. I too tend to assume things from the outside, but when you get to know something or someone your perspective can completely change.
I have almost completed my first semester as a college freshman in a sorority and have learned more then I could have ever imagined. From learning the ropes of college life to learning the ropes of Greek Life, was a big adjustment.
Yes we have socials, which correlate to partying, but behind the social media posts of our outfit for so called theme, there is hard work, running around, volunteering, and all with the help from a support system.
Greek Life requires each chapter to maintain a certain grade point average and some chapters may even require a higher grade point average to be in good standings. We even have a whole council dedicated to monitoring our grades and making sure we as individuals and as a whole chapter meet expectations. For my chapter each member was required to download an app called “Greek Study” https://mygreekstudy.com. This app allows the chapter to monitor how many hours each member is putting towards schoolwork. It can also help explain why a member may not be doing that well in their classes.
Each chapter has rituals and members must be able to partake in these rituals. This means learning, practicing and study the steps needed to complete the rituals. As a new member, my big and I had to attend a ritual review where I got to learn the secrets and meanings behind symbols. I cannot tell you any specific examples because that is what binds each fraternity or sorority to their name. Just know that rituals require time, effort and patience to learn and memorize.
When I say we run around a lot, I do not mean on a track. I mean to different sisterhoods, speakers, meetings, and events. Just last week my chapter was divided and assigned to a specific event that was happening. I myself was signed up for Yogurt and Yoga. A good majority of these activities are mandatory and require prior notice and a solid reason as to why you cannot attend it. There are also sign in and sign out sheets, making it difficult for anyone to come late and leave early.
Volunteering is a major part of Greek life and although each chapter is different many require a specific number of hours to be completed by the end of each semester. We also take pride in our philanthropy and enjoy working to help make the community better. My philanthropy is RIF, which stands for Reading Is Fundamental. We go to schools and help kids with reading and show them why learning to read and reading is an important life tool. We spend time with the kids reading the books to them and helping them to read. Just recently my chapter went to the Statesboro Library and delivered books to children that we have been collecting for a few months.
As said previously each chapter, whether it be a sorority of fraternity, has a philanthropy that they work hard to raise money for in all different ways. When I say different ways I do not mean stealing or selling illegal products. What I mean is, we raise money through dinners, band concerts, t-shirt selling’s, 5k races, and paintball tournaments. It takes weeks of planning, ordering food, getting the word out and selling tickets to have a successful night.
As you can see Greek Life is not about the parties.
We have school to worry about just like everyone else.
We have volunteer hours for our chapter on top on the hours needed for majors.
We have events that have to be attended.
We have t-shirts and tickets that need to be sold.
We have weeks of planning and organizing to be done.
We have school to worry about just like everyone else.
We have volunteer hours for our chapter on top on the hours needed for majors.
We have events that have to be attended.
We have t-shirts and tickets that need to be sold.
We have weeks of planning and organizing to be done.
I am not going to lie, yeah it is fun to dress up and go out with your sisters or brothers, but it is even more fun laughing at dinner about something stupid, or seeing a child grasp the concept of book, or understand a word, then a party will ever be.
You still may say that we only party, and that is fine, but I am going to politely say that, you are wrong. I have clearly stated examples of how being in a sorority or fraternity is not just about the parties. We all take pride in our chapters and letters, and to have people judge us without getting to know what really happens is quite ridiculous.
As a favor to me and all other members, please take a deeper look into Greek Life with an open mind. You will see that what I have said above is true and hopefully your perspective of us will change.
We are not here for a party. We are here for a long time of sister and brotherhood.
Thank you,
A Member of Greek Life
Thank you,
A Member of Greek Life