Going into my freshman year at University of Wisconsin La Crosse, I was nervous about so many things, like making friends, whether I would like my roommates and how hard the college classes would be. I definitely was not thinking about joining a sorority. In fact, I didn't even know that UW-L even had sororities, which is a problem that is still relevant for all of Greek life on campus right now.
If you're curious, there are actually two social sororities currently on campus, Alpha Phi and Alpha Xi Delta, as well as four fraternities, Delta Sigma Phi, Chi Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Tau Gamma. The Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity will be colonizing in the fall and it looks Sigma Sigma Sigma, another sorority, may possibly be on campus within a year.
(This is our Panhellenic Council, made up of Alpha Phi and Alpha Xi Delta women).
In my own personal experience, I noticed Greek life advertising within the first week of classes. I saw chalk on the sidewalks and posters around campus that directed me towards attending their first open house. Of course, being the socially awkward freshman that I was, I dragged my roommates and a friend along with me, hoping that they would share my budding enthusiasm for Greek life. None of them were interested, so I attended the rest of the events alone, but the sisterhood that I found in those rooms during the recruitment rounds were enough to make me feel like I had was in a room filled with friends.
While I didn't get into my preferred sorority at first, I was quickly COB'd (aka put on a 'Continuous Open Bidding' list) and became a member during the following semester, Spring of 2014. In that whirlwind semester, I learned what my chapter, Alpha Phi's, values are, what traditions we honored, who my Big was and I struggled to memorize 49 other girls' names. I bonded with the 11 other women in my pledge class as we were initiated together and started on a journey that would not just be "four years, but for life."
(This picture is of me and my friend Heidi. She was my first friend and Alpha Phi and continues to be one of thesisters whom I am closest to).
The amazing thing about the Greeks in La Crosse is that we're such a small campus that you quickly begin to make friendships with everyone, or at least know who everyone is, regardless of what chapter they're in. There are socials between chapters where we sometimes have spa nights or play sports or simply hang out with each other in order to promote support and friendships. We even have a social where a member from one sorority and one fraternity got 'married' (not actually) and we have a mock wedding for them, full of cheesy vows and and a ridiculous theme to boot.
Most importantly, being in a sorority has given me amazing friendships, allowed me to serve in numerous leadership positions, given me incredible volunteering and service options and has given me a purpose in college. I know that if I'm ever feeling down, I can turn to these women for help. If I want to volunteer somewhere but don't want to go alone, it's almost guaranteed that at least one, but probably more, will want to go, too. I've become so involved on my campus because of the opportunities my chapter has offered me and I've built friendships that will last far beyond my college years.
It's easy to hear criticism about Greek life today, especially when the media puts awful slants and stereotypes on us. But we all represent values, we all have a philanthropy that we support, and we all want to embody the best woman or man that we can be, especially here in La Crosse.
UW-La Crosse Greek life has changed me for the better and my life would be completely different had I not wandered into the Greek life open house my freshman year. Without my chapter, my Alpha Phi family, especially my Big and Little, the leadership positions that I have held over the years, I would not be as confident and fulfilled as I am now. If you find yourself in a chapter, especially at UW-L, cherish it because it goes by quickly. As I prepare for graduation this fall, I know I will miss my chapter immensely, but I will always look back fondly at all of the experiences I have gained. I know the future hold boundless possibilities, but formals, socials, meetings and just hanging out with my sisters will be what I miss the most.
Greek life has changed my life for the better and I will always cherish it, no matter what.
