When I first came to college, my initial plans were to just go to class and work towards getting my degree. Sounds pretty exciting, huh? Please note that was 100 percent sarcasm. Of course, nothing is wrong with that for those who do, as everyone's circumstances are different. However, after a dull first semester, I came to the realization I needed to get more involved.
Granted, there the many different RSOs one can get involved in on campus, but that’s another story for another article. However, one of the promises I made when I came to college was to NEVER rush a fraternity, considering all the negative images I’d seen portrayed in the media and whatnot. However, after having one of my closest friends rush a semester before me, I decided to come over to the house and check things out. And, well, the rest is history. I signed my bid, rushed and became an initiate in spring of 2013.
Speaking from my personal viewpoint, it was arguably one of the best decisions I’d made in terms of my college experience. Granted, while Greek Life may not be for everyone, there are many Greeks out there (and trust me, the good does out weigh the negative) who really are striving to make a difference. Just to give you some perspectives of why I went Greek, I made a Top 5 list below:
- Philanthropy and Community Involvement: This aspect is what initially garnered my interest in going Greek, for it was quite astounding to know that people I assumed – at the time – just partied a lot (again, going back to negative stereotypes) were actually working to make a huge and positive impact in the community. Many fraternities and sororities have partnered with many national philanthropic organizations to bring awareness to various important causes, including but not limited to: domestic violence, autism awareness, speech and hearing, serving people with disabilities, and many, many more.
- Scholarship: Ah, yes, Greeks do care about grades. After all, we’re all here for an education, right? We take our studying seriously, and you’ll often find many chapters organizing study nights with one another, or each chapter holding their own individual study hours. You also have to meet a certain GPA requirement to maintain good membership standing within your specific house, which is all from good intentions, as we want to ensure that you are putting your education first. The prestigious honor society Order of Omega also loves to recognize Greeks who have outstanding GPAs as well. This practice pays off, as Greeks have shown to have some of the top academic performances on campus.
- Leadership and Campus Involvement: Greek Life is all about building not only confident individuals, but also better leaders. A house will typically have an Executive Board, which may consist of a President, Treasurer, Secretary, etc. – all of these who are elected to lead their respective chapters. However, it doesn’t stop in house. Many Greeks have also shown active involvement in on-campus RSOs and leadership positions, including our student government Western Student Association, the Campus Activities Board, Alternative Bronco Breaks, Fall Welcome and Orientation, among many more! With such involvement and evolving leadership skills, it shows the growth factor an individual can have during their respective time in their Greek homes, and how it effectively progresses into involvement On Campus as well.
- Lifelong Friends: One of the biggest pet peeves for a Greek is to hear someone saying that they’re “paying for their friends.” While dues are a part of joining the organization, they are mainly used to help finance events – such as philanthropic activities and recruitment. Nevertheless, when you do join, you are immersed into a wonderful culture and meet all sorts of people who you probably wouldn’t even had thought you’d form a bond with. Whether it is different racial and ethnic backgrounds, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or even sports rivalries (say if you’re a Red Wings fan and they’re a fan of the Blackhawks), some of the most unlikely yet unique friendships can be formed, and they often last a lifetime.
- Memories: All in all, aside from those points mentioned above, Greek Life is all about making memories – just as college is all about making memories. These four years (or five) go by really quickly, so make every moment count. Whether it’s engaging in debates during chapter meetings, scrambling to find a nice outfit to wear to your formal, engaging in the competitive and good-natured fun of Greek Week, or even just staying up late nights and having deep conversations with your fraternity brother or sorority sister, there are many moments to look back and reflect on during your time as an active Greek. So don’t take them for granted, live in the moment, and make them count.
Those are my reasons for going Greek, and if you’re considering joining a Greek organization in the fall, give it a shot! You never know, you can be the next person to make an impact. And that is quite a memory worth making.
