Life > April 10, 2008

By Caroline Edgeton | Staff writer

Many people, especially parents, like to say that kids go to college for educational purposes only. We all know this is not true. We go to college to get away from our parents, to make new friends and relationships, become more independent and figure out who we are and what we want to do with ourselves.

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How does one go about doing all of the above, though?

Many would argue that joining a sorority or a fraternity is the best way to get involved with your school.

Our school is stereotypically thought of as a Greek dominated school, and it makes perfect sense.

Much of the social events orchestrated on and off campus are thrown by the sororities and fraternities; however, if you are not a member of either one you can still attend the functions and have a good time with your friends (without having to pay the dues to be a part of a Greek organization).

Many people who do not go here would argue that if you are not the stereotypical university student (i.e. someone who does not want to pledge), then you will not fit in or enjoy yourself at the school.

I was told this at one point before coming here.

Many who knew me could tell I did not have much of a desire to join a sorority.

This made me a little nervous, but after I got here I quickly found out that there were plenty of people who were like me and had the same thought process.

There are other things to do here on campus aside from being involved in a Greek group.

You are not judged, made fun of, kicked off campus or beaten up if you choose not to participate. Yes, someone once said to me that I would get kicked off campus for not pledging. They were saying it in jest, I hope.

Neither my friends nor I have yet to get kicked off campus for not pledging; however, we have found other ways of having a meaningful experience here without having to pay dues.

Clubs and Non-Greek

Organizations

There are plenty of clubs and organizations here on campus.

If you attended the fall activities fair, you know what I’m talking about.

Basically, anything that you happen to be interested in will most likely have a group here at the university.

There are various sports teams (clubs and intramurals), music groups, academic interest groups, human and animal rights groups, political groups, religious groups, exercise clubs, volunteer organizations and so on.

In other words, if you have an interest, there is a something here on campus for you.

Because of all the activities here at our disposal, many may not see that joining a Greek organization is conducive to their college experience.

“I like spending my time the way I want to spend my time,” freshman Wes Matthews said.

“The girls who join the same sorority as you are similar to you, but you get involved with other groups to fulfill your specific interests. You meet like minded people in other activities and find plenty of friends through non-Greek related groups here at school,” freshman Carie McElveen said.

Even though many people get involved with other activities and do not pledge, it most certainly does not mean you cannot be in a fraternity or a sorority and be involved in other groups.

There are plenty of people here on campus who do both; I know several who are like this.

For many, though, being in a sorority or a fraternity is too much on top of other interests and the infamus homework load. Overall, it all depends on where your interests lie.

Reasons why people do not pledge

Aside from wanting to be involved with other groups and organizations, there are other contributing factors as to why people choose not to pledge.

One concern for many students is the possibility of rushing and not receiving a bid.

There is a lack of fraternities/sororities to ensure that everyone who would like to join one is able to. Though not everyone wants to be in one, it certainly hinders people from pledging.

From what I can tell, the number one reason for girls is the horrifying, long and stereotypically tumultuous process known as rush.

“I was turned off by the stereotype centered on being in a sorority, not that I think every girl that pledges fits that stereotype, it just kind of steered me away,” sophomore Katherine McKee said.

“I also don’t really like the idea of how rush works. You’re pretty much judged on a first impression basis only. I don’t like having to earn my friends on a superficial way. The whole thing is a little too formalized. It’s not completely stupid because it’s a tradition thing, but it’s a little outdated in my opinion.”

With that being said, many people do not enjoy the idea of being required to wear a certain outfit to each event or the possibility of being judged on first impressions. Other people think that being in a sorority or a fraternity is too time consuming or a way of detaching yourself from your college experience.

“People join for creating a social atmosphere for themselves, but what I’ve seen happen to several of my friends is that they join and get wrapped up in social events and other various Greek related activities that cause them to be constantly busy with their fraternity of sorority,” freshman Andrew Christian said.

“This makes them lose touch with their other friends that are either in another Greek organization or not one at all.”

Along the same lines, there are fees one must pay in order to be in a Greek group as well as other activities that you may or may not be forced to do.

“I didn’t like the idea of people forcing me to dress a certain way, drink or do things I didn’t want to do,” junior Andy Karr said.

“I didn’t want to pay some thousand dollars a year just to be in a group to make friends and throw parties. With the school being as small as it is, there really isn’t much of a point in joining a Greek organization. I’m a second semester junior and I’ve made plenty of friends through other things here on campus that I’ve found more fulfilling and interesting. I have friends here in fraternities and sororities, but I think the whole process of rushing and pledging is kind of silly to be honest.”

Overall, there are many reasons why pledging is not for everyone, it just depends on what you want your college life to be like.

Greek life is certainly something that you’re either into or you’re not.

It all depends on how you want to make friends and spend your time.

It is a great thing for those who are interested, but not everyone thinks it’s for them.

It is not something anyone should ever feel forced to do simply because there are so many ways of finding your place.

We’re all here to make new friends and relationships.

We just may decide to go about it in different ways.