As the heat of the #StandUpToHarvard movement continues, after the school's policy concerning single-gender clubs, a lot of conversation has started about what it means to be a part of greek life.
This is a topic that has always been hugely controversial, and hearing the whole "you pay for your friends" argument is nothing new to any member of greek life. But, as anyone who has ever participated in it knows-- it is so much more than that.
Being a part of a greek organization, of course, is a great way to meet new people in a place you might not know anyone, but after those initial friendships are made is the time when the whole system really blossoms into something wonderful and worthwhile.
I can't even name how many times I've had a bad day, only to walk into my sorority house for lunch to see the excited faces of people who are so genuinely excited to see and spend time with me. Getting ready for swaps, formals, and date parties together is silly but has provided some of my favorite memories. These are girls I've laughed with during philanthropy events, cried with on the last preference round, and been bored senseless with in chapter.
Of course, lifelong friendships can be made elsewhere, and I have many people in my life I've met outside of my sorority that have given me the same kinds of bonds, but there is something to be said about a group of 300 girls who all share the same letters.
It's getting to know freshmen you would've never met, finding common ground between class, age, hometown and background.
And Harvard? None of us would change it for the world.
