By Lyndsey Gilpin
From what our society is shown in movies, on television, and in books, students involved in Greek life should walk around with stereotypes stamped on their forehead:
Shallow.
Stuck up.
Superficial.
Partiers.
All play, no work.
Throughout the time before they enter college, many students, whether they eventually became involved in Greek life or not, placed these stereotypes without any problem; Greek life wouldn’t be for them.
But, curiosity got the best of some, and they decided to look into joining. Much like in many different aspects of life, the movies didn’t portray Greek life quite right.
“My mom wanted me to go through sorority recruitment no matter what I decided in the end,” said sophomore Erin Roberts, an exercise science major and member of Chi Omega.
“I knew coming to college would be hard since I was from the small town of Owensboro and leaving everyone I was so close to would be hard. But I thought maybe a sorority could give me the feeling of my friends and family that I missed so much.”
Mike Paolini, sophomore and member of Lambda Chi Alpha, felt like this as well.
“I was a transfer student and did not know many people, so I joined to make friends,” said Paolini.
The friends, connections and busy schedules that Greek life provides were what many students found to be the most intriguing about joining a sorority or fraternity.
However, to some, that still seemed “superficial.”
According to Alex Burke, a freshman exercise science major and member of Pi Beta Phi, she knew that some community service was involved, but still felt that it wasn’t serious.
“I was proved very wrong. Every sorority and fraternity has their philanthropy, and we plan huge events to raise money,” said Burke.
Burke also found that community work can be one of the most rewarding parts of Greek life.
“Community service hours are required, but you end up wanting to do them,” said Burke. “Being with your friends while helping out others makes it that much better.”
Some students involved in Greek life said that they never would have imagined themselves taking part in a fraternity or sorority, but now realize that it isn’t just about a social where everyone becomes intoxicated and marks each other with highlighters or dresses up like naughty school girls.
It’s about personal development. It’s about finding a career and learning how to represent oneself well on all occasions. It’s finding somewhere to belong on campus. It’s about having a group of friends that are bonded in ways that could never be broken and having relationships that will last a lifetime.
However, Greek life isn’t for everyone. Allison Whitehouse, a freshman fine arts major, hasn’t really considered joining.
“I like doing my own thing and not being too tied down,” said Whitehouse.
I have a hard time committing to organizations and groups. I’m all over the place.”
This, along with the expensive budget of being a part of a Greek organization, is one of the reasons students decide not to get involved. It’s truly a personal preference.
Burke also mentioned that before joining Pi Beta Phi, seeing the letters on shirts and bags around campus made her feel like she was about to be lumped into another stereotype.
But in the end, she was once again shown something different.
“We did this activity at a retreat where we taped stereotypes to a wall and when one offended us, we were told to take them down,” she said. “We were all different when it came to that exercise.”
She noted that being Greek has the ability to bring 80 people together who may be completely opposite from one another.
“Now I see the letters on campus and I always think to myself, ‘I have one thing in common with that girl. It’s a surprisingly great feeling,” Burke said.
