In the past year, there have been an unprecedented number of Greek chapters that have made national news for inappropriate behavior. The most recent headline is about the chapter of Sigma Nu at Old Dominion University in Virginia. On freshman day drop-off, they hung signs from their fraternity that read, “Freshman daughter drop off,” and “Go ahead and leave mom too.” Since that day, Sigma Nu has now been suspended, and these signs have gained a lot of publicity for promoting rape culture. Besides this one fraternity there have been countless others, as well as a few sororities, that have been suspended for similar misconduct. However, I’m not here to talk about the ins and the outs of what’s wrong with Greek life. I’m here to talk about what’s good and why you should join.

When I first arrived at college, I didn’t think I wanted to go Greek. I honestly didn’t think that sorority life was for me. However, the longer I stayed on campus, the more I realized how many events were run by the same chapters that I previously wanted nothing to do with. They spent hours on our front lawn raising money for charity, and when an event was being held on campus, I saw that they all attended together with their chapter, proudly wearing their letters on their chest.

Come recruitment week, I fell in love with the chapter that would later give me a bid and with the 80 sisters that seemed so welcoming. I was later elected to be part of our executive board and did my best to improve our chapter and strengthen the already tight bonds that we had all formed. When I went through a hard time and ended up leaving school for the remainder of the spring semester, it was my sisters who stuck by me and who welcomed me back with open arms upon my return this fall.

Fraternity brothers on campus I never thought I might be able to relate to became some of my closest and most supportive friends. I watch these fraternities put on philanthropy events and advocate for important causes such as gender violence, diabetes awareness and so much more. I do not associate these fraternities with the ones that I read about in the news because they never did anything that made me doubt them.

There is an incredible amount of push to get rid of fraternities across the nation, but when I look at the boys who attend my university and see all the good that they are doing it makes me realize that so many are judging all of Greek life by a few poor decisions.

I would not be who I am today without Greek life and I urge you to take these headlines with a grain of salt and realize that most chapters are doing incredibly positive things and that, like me, you can find your new best friends and be a part of the second closest family you could ever imagine.