Stereotypes are everywhere—especially prevalent on college campuses like ours. Maybe it’s easier to pigeonhole a school or person, or maybe it’s because of ignorance. But somewhere along the line we started assuming that activities and commitments to organizations define us as a person, both positively and not. Belmont is known for having these stereotypes, I mean, I think we all can classify our school as being hipster, Christian heaven. It’s not to say that our school doesn’t succeed in sports or has preppy students; it’s once again pigeonholing this institution. Our supposed reputation is a different school stereotype than most- we’re not a party school, we’re not an engineering or science school; we’re not a commuter school; we’re just a music school in the middle of Nashville, Tennessee.
Our school doesn’t fit most stereotypes, but why does our Greek life? I know that before arriving on Belmont’s campus as a freshman, I already presumed our sororities had expectations, requirements, and rules that I just couldn’t see myself participating in. Honestly, I never thought I would be chosen to be among the girls who looked so perfect and put together from the outside. But by engaging in recruitment, I participated in life changing conversations, learned the philanthropies and events of each chapter, heard the stories and saw the love of true sisterhood, and finally, I was able to break through those stereotypes.
Every chapter on this campus brings something new and exciting to the Panhellenic table, always ready to love on other sisters in their organization or not, as well as giving to the entire school community. There’s no competition among others because our Panhellenic core truly falls on love. Greek life at Belmont is not Sidney White or House Bunny. It is girls running up to you on bid day with mile wide smiles; packing into the Curb to watch Greek Sing every spring; staying Up ‘Til Dawn with your closest friends; participating in other philanthropic events that aren’t even your specific chapter’s cause; hanging in the Beaman and meeting new students (and eating lots of food); and ultimately, Greek life at Belmont is what you make of it.
There will always be stereotypes floating around—I know that. There will always be the students who try and pit organizations against each other for some competition. There will always be people spreading rumors and perpetuating what we are trying so hard to dissemble. There will always be people looking for the Greek life system at this university to simply, “mess up,” in any way possible. But each and every sorority on this campus is more than anything a doubter could ever do.
We are engaging, we are loving, we are caring, we are personable, we are hilarious, we are talented, we are intelligent, we are creative, we are intentional, we are ambitious, and we are Greek life at Belmont University—no stereotypes attached.
