The problem with Greek Life is that it is wildly different at every single University. Many don't even have them at all. For schools like USC where they are prominent, it can be intimidating going into this huge organization and not knowing how to handle it or what to do. As a freshman, this is especially difficult.

However, this year is about to be very, very different.

Last fall, the USC's administration instated a new rule for incoming students wanting to go into the recruitment process. Now, students must have earned a USC GPA before rushing a sorority or fraternity - so, they must attend at least one semester on USC campus prior to rushing. This means that freshman will not get the opportunity to rush until the spring, and spring admits won't until they're sophomores. The University stated that the purpose of this rule was to give the freshman the opportunity to integrate into school and dorm life before introducing the stress and time commitment of greek life.

Supporters of this rule agreed that the University had students' mental health and well being in mind and that Greek Life is a huge time commitment and students should focus on classes and adjusting for their first semester. Opposition worried that this was an effort to shrink Greek Life, as former president Dr. Max Nikias was notorious for disliking. That this decision was made without any consultation from the students that it was affecting in the first place. That Greek Life was the only organization this rule applied to, even though every other activity on campus (sports, musical groups, clubs, etc) was still open to freshman as soon as they arrived at the University.

Personally, I can't speak for any true motivations for the rule. But, as a proud member of Greek Life, I can say for certain what some concrete results will be. This upcoming fall recruitment will include no freshman, which has been the biggest group of potential new members in the past. This will result in fewer potential new members, fewer recruited new members, and therefore, fewer members overall (than projected) to maintain the current value of house dues. This will cause dues to rise, members to drop out (only furthering the problem), and houses that can't afford to stay afloat will be forced to drop out. Hence, shrinking Greek Life as a whole.

That disheartening thought aside - the new rule will have other consequences, that arguably will be worse for the incoming freshmen than the overcommitment that Greek Life could potentially prompt. First of all, joining a house automatically gives you hundreds of new connections and potential friends, that not only are eager to meet you and spend time with you but that you've chosen to be a part of because you connect with the values of that specific house. It is a group of people who are looking out for you and who care about your well being.

In most freshman's opinions, the biggest transition from high school to college is the social one. Many freshmen go into college not knowing a single person, and especially going into a school of nearly 20,000 undergrads, making friends can be intimidating. Losing that potential connection so early in the semester can leave many students vulnerable to a harder transition, lack of genuine friends, and general loneliness. While it does allow them to explore other options for social connection, 1) joining Greek Life isn't binding, and you can always drop out, and 2) it is more than plausible to engage in other activities while still in Greek Life.

In my opinion, the most important consequence of this new rule will have on incoming freshman is the lack of resources when trying to navigate the party scene. My first night going out in college, I had countless older girls from my new sorority give me their phone numbers, tell me they wouldn't go anywhere without me, and teaching me what to do and what not to do. I felt immediately relieved and safe with these new people, going into a scene I was previously very wary of. Incoming freshman this year won't have that. In fact, because they are potential new members, we are discouraged from talking to them about Greek Life or partying. And, frankly, college parties, especially at USC, are nothing like high school. They are big and loud and intimidating. And hot. And sweaty. And kind of gross. That aside, they are so much fun, if you go about it safely and prepared.

So - here we come to the purpose of this article. Because I want to be like the older girls who looked after me last year, I want to impart my knowledge about navigating the party scene at USC (and hopefully, this will be applicable to other schools as well). Here are what I have determined are the most important things that alcohol-edu doesn't teach you, and that you shouldn't have to learn the hard way.

1. You don't have to drink. No one is going to make fun of you or call you lame, everyone has their reasons. And if someone does give you shit, don't waste your time with them.
2. If you don't know this by now, I don't know how you got here in one piece: never put your cup down. Date rape drugs are very real, and not only do people use them to drug others, but they even will take one themselves to get more fucked up. They're flying around everywhere, so you have to be so careful. Don't be afraid to get another drink if you're suspicious.
3. Try not to drink once you get to the party. If you want to drink, do the majority of it at your pregame, where you can really keep track of exactly what and how much you're drinking. Frats at USC aren't allowed to serve hard liquor, so it's mostly wine and beer. And frat beer is gross. So there's that too.
4. Drinks that are dangerous and that you definitely can't handle as much as you think can: FourLoko, Lime/Lemon-a-rita, Beatbox. Sugary drinks dehydrate you, and consequently, get you drunk faster. Proceed with caution.
5. DO NOT DRINK ON AN EMPTY STOMACH. You will die. You will.
6. Always go to parties in groups or at least with one other friend. Keep track of each other. Let your friends know if you're going home or going somewhere else. Use find my friends!! It's so helpful and if your friend's not picking up their phone, you can still see where they are.
7. Don't wear your nicest stuff to parties. You will get spilled on, you will get sweaty, and you will likely lose something (Pro tip: Forever 21 has great cheap party stuff).
8. Think you're not gonna need that costume box in college? You're wrong. There are so many themed parties.
9. On-campus police love to bust people outside frat parties. If your campus police are anything like USC's, they'll stake out outside parties and wait for people to come out. So don't lose your shit.
10. If you (or a friend) do end up losing your shit, call campus police. Alcohol poisoning happens very often and is scary - call help. USC has an amnesty policy, so if you call them to help someone who needs to go to the hospital, even if you've been underaged drinking, you won't get written up. Don't put someone's life in danger for fear of getting in trouble.
11. IF YOU'RE WEARING A WRISTBAND AND YOU'RE NOT 21, YOU WILL BE BUSTED. I can't tell you how many times I've heard of this happening. If DPS sees you with a wristband, they will not hesitate to ask you for your ID, even if they have no reasonable suspicion of intoxication. If you're wearing one, rip it off before you leave the party.
12. Just because you've been with someone all night (dancing, making out, getting drinks with/from), doesn't mean you owe it to them to go home with them.
13. Just because you go home with someone doesn't mean you owe them sex.
14. If someone is noticeably blacked-out, they are not able to consent. This happens with guys just as much as girls, and what's worse is that they don't think it's as valid because they're not girls. Be conscious, be respectful.
15. Sex culture is super different at different schools, but there are two things that are true at every school: casual sex is NOT a dirty or slutty thing, and at the same time, it is not necessarily the norm. You shouldn't feel pressured to have sex at all, and no one should make you feel bad for having a lot of sex. Everyone is different, and every different preference is valid.
16. Dear god, use protection. Condoms do not = birth control, and birth control does not = protection from STD's. Use both. Guys, don't assume that girls are on birth control, and girls, don't assume the guy will always have a condom.
17. If you've been drinking, before you go to bed, drink a TON of water. Like, so much water. Hydrate or die-drate.
18. Drinking games are fun, but they add up. Take a breather between rounds (Pro tip: get really good so that you can choose when to drink).
19. If you've got an early class, don't go out. Just don't. Even if you end up making the class, you'll regret it.
20. Have fun. If you're not having fun, feel unsafe, or just want to leave, leave. You make the decisions for yourself, so don't compromise how you're feeling. Listen to yourself.

So, there are a few pointers that I could come up with off the top of my head. As always, ask people for help if you need. There are specific frat brothers at every party who are there to help (often Exec, president and risk chair). Don't be intimidated, but be smart. Freshman, we'll see you in the spring for recruitment, but in the meantime, feel free to ask us questions or ask for help. Good luck, and have a great first semester! Can't wait to be back :)