Going Greek?

[buckeyegirl06]

Anyone else out there decide (or have considered) to join a fraternity or sorority in college? Just wondering. I did go Greek, but sometimes I wonder if it was the best decision.

 

[ThatButton]

I joined a Business Fraternity (coed, no house here). I regret it because it is so poorly organized and most of the time at our meetings people just bicker. I joined not knowing that the frat was about $4,000 in debt and now its up to us to find that money. I think the experience would be a lot better had I joined a group that was organized and doing fundraising for charities or social events instead of to get out of debt. On the plus side a lot of very interesting companies come to talk to us and I've met a lot of people that are in my classes so I always have someone to sit next to or talk to about homework.

 

[Shyguyelite]

I never understood frats/sororities. When did they start? Are they simply high school social divisions I saw during lunch time, except with houses and more (alot more) money?

I understand how they work, somewhat, but I never understood why girls cried after not getting accepted into their sorority of choice.

Any way, as far as going Greek goes, I have no idea. What do you mean 'best decision'? Is something wrong?

I can only assume things based on sterotypes I hold, such that beer and sex are common place in frats/soriries, and people live worldly lives like this is it.

If you are wondering, yes. I just implicitily judged all hardcore Greeks (note: athiests etc., no direct connection implied) as godless homosexuals who spread cancer and aids. As well as vomit on the carpet.

My bad.

But isolation as a Christian is a bad idea. Though, to be blunt, 99.9% of American Christians isolate themselves from worldly people, and live in their own little bubbles. In fact, we all do that as human beings, however Christians should be different. Should be could be would be. Ahh whatever.


Its your choice.

Or perhaps it isn't your choice. Perhaps I should say that I went Greek, and it was absolutely the worst idea I ever had, and I recommend everyone on these forums to stay away, because bad bad things will happen.

I can only assume you can here for a "ITS EVIL ITS EVIL" or a "Its ok" answer.


I base this that alot of questions on the forums essentially are asking if something is 'good' or 'evil'.

Well, I have no idea.

 

[Sketcher]

It really depends on the people in the you are with and if they are willing to hear the Gospel.

 

[Llauralin]

Real Greeks are better. They feed you Baklava and hummus and give lectures on how the Bible is just so much deeper "in the original," and can trace well nigh anything back to the Greek. And they have cool accents and dances. Go meet some.

~ A Greek in training.

 

[buckeyegirl06]

I really wasn't looking for an "it's evil" or "it's ok" answer. I believe that being in a sorority or fraternity isn't right for everyone, but it is for some people. There's also the fact that all fraternities and sororities can be very different. I just wanted to hear opinions.

As for why I've considered if it's the right decision for me, I guess I never really thought everything over when I joined. It's so time consuming and I end up spending lots of my time with the same people. I kind of missed having more free time and spending time with my non-Greek friends. This is expected, but I guess there were just lots of times when I wished I could go out with my non-sorority friends, but I had a sorority obligation. And then there's so much drama! Growing up, most of my friends happened to be guys, so I guess I wasn't ready to be thrust into a girly girl world, complete with lots of gossip and drama.

Being in a sorority isn't all bad, though. I have made some great friends and I do always have people to call when I want to go out to lunch or go shopping or go anywhere. I've met a lot of people in the Greek community. I've had lots of leadership opportunities. I also got to co-lead a Bible study for girls in my sorority. Overall, I think going Greek is a great way to become involved.

 

[Bubba1301]

I had originally considered joining a frat, but I got involved in a campus ministry. As I look at the greek life, I see some good things about them... the charities, friendships and activities. However, the paying of the dues is what kinda struck me as a turn off. I had always seen people so depressed when they were not accepted... the dues always seemed to me like the members were buying their friends. When I got involved in the campus ministry I got to do all the charities, activities and friends, but I didn't have to feel like I was buying friendship. That's just my take on greek life.

 

[Sketcher]

Real Greeks are better. They feed you Baklava and hummus and give lectures on how the Bible is just so much deeper "in the original," and can trace well nigh anything back to the Greek. And they have cool accents and dances. Go meet some.

~ A Greek in training.

Yeah, they'll stuff you till you can't eat anymore and then tell you it's time for dessert! And that food they're stuffing you with . . . goood.

 

[Shyguyelite]

Oh. My bad, I guess I totally missed what you were tryin to say.

Drama, haha. Can't avoid it no matter where ya go ; )

Well thats good to hear.

 

[AdamA]

It really depends on the college. The (Christian) college I attend has it's share of frats and sororities and also things called housing groups (of which I'm a member) which don't have rush, pledge week, and lots of the rituals/required events. Basically a bunch of guys that live and do stuff together...

At my college some of the frats/sororities have a bad reputation as "drinking" frats/sororities. But most I'd have to say have no alcohol and many have good reputations... actually they lose their charter if they have alcohol on campus or do things the college doesn't approve of during pledge week. I think they have to tell the college everything they do during pledge week.

... it really depends on the college. I could never see myself joining a frat at any college but the one I attend, based solely on things I've heard. There probably are decent frats even at public schools... somewhere out there, anyway.

 

[Shannonkish]

Anyone else out there decide (or have considered) to join a fraternity or sorority in college? Just wondering. I did go Greek, but sometimes I wonder if it was the best decision.

Yes, I am an Alumn of a Sorority. Which house did you join?

I never understood frats/sororities. When did they start? Are they simply high school social divisions I saw during lunch time, except with houses and more (alot more) money?

Some started back in the late 1800s and early 1900s and others are more recent. I don't have a specific date for the first greek organization.

No, they are more than a clique that you find in high school. At bigger schools, (University of Alabama, etc) they can be similar to high school cliques. But, they are no different than any other social organization that one would join (Girl scouts, boy scouts, etc).

I understand how they work, somewhat, but I never understood why girls cried after not getting accepted into their sorority of choice.

Some girls really want to join one. It is different for different people. Like I said, at bigger schools, it is a status thing. At my schools it wasn't a status issue.

can only assume things based on sterotypes I hold, such that beer and sex are common place in frats/soriries, and people live worldly lives like this is it.

That is college life, it is not exclusive to greek organizations. The funny thing, my first college, there were more parties held by the Hockey, Basketball and soccer teams than there were by the greeks.

If you are wondering, yes. I just implicitily judged all hardcore Greeks (note: athiests etc., no direct connection implied) as godless homosexuals who spread cancer and aids. As well as vomit on the carpet.

Well thanks! However, I find that your judgement is way off base. While in college, I only had 1 or 2 drinks, and they were never related to my sorority. What I mean is that I never drank with my sorority or at any greek functions. I am also still a virgin. Again, I think that these two things [sex and beer] are college stigmas and not predominent only in greek organizations.

But isolation as a Christian is a bad idea. Though, to be blunt, 99.9% of American Christians isolate themselves from worldly people, and live in their own little bubbles. In fact, we all do that as human beings, however Christians should be different. Should be could be would be. Ahh whatever

Isolation? I am unsure how joining a greek organization equals isolation. They are inherently social organizations. They are also philanthropic organizations in which they contribute to the betterment of society through volunteer activities.

I, personally, isolated myself in high school. I was the person that didn't have a social life in high school. Upon joining a sorority, I had an instance social agenda.... Mixers here, retreats there, homecoming competions here, greek olympics here and there... I had a packed scheduled filled with nothing but social activities once I was in a sorority. I absolutely loved it.

Greek life isn't for everyone. Do I suggest it? I suggest going through Rush. Rush typically lasts 1-2 weeks. Contrary to popular belief, this is not the time in which you are hazed. This is the time in which you meet and greet members of the organization and decide whether greek life is for you or not.

When I was in college, I went through Rush because I wanted to meet people. I had absolutely NO intentions of actually pledging a sorority. At the completion of Rush, I had met some amazing girls and want to spend more time with them. I saw the benefits of greek life, the leadership possibilities, the networking possibilities, the social possibilities, etc. and decided to go for it. I pledged and am very glad that I did.

I transfered to a new school after my first year of college. Prior to transferring, I met the members of the chapter of my sorority at my new school. Rather than going to a school and not knowing anyone, I immediately had people that I knew and could relate to and they showed me the ropes of the school.

Joining a sorority was great for me! I am glad that I did it. I am an active Alumn today and still participate in greek related activities when I have the time.