Springtime is a significant part of the year for Greek life across campus. The spring ushers a new chance for recruitment and the possibility of joining Greek life.
For many students, the words “sorority,” “fraternity” and “Greek life” comes with negative connotations and stereotypes of hazing, partying 24/7, cruel pranks and drama overload.
These misconceptions and stereotypes often are sourced from scenes in college movies, TV shows and books.
Often, these depictions may factor in preventing students from joining Greek life. Students may fear the possibility of brutal humiliation, harm or even worse.
But according to a source that prefers to stay anonymous, sororities and fraternities on the Winthrop campus are not like they appear in media depictions.
“Greek life has a lot to do with bonding with your people and also a lot to do with helping the community. We do a lot of community service to help the area and offer lots of scholarship opportunities,” the source says.
“I think it gets a bad reputation because of certain individuals. It can get a bad reputation because people hear that there is hazing. NPHC and CPC are non-hazing organizations.”
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the College Panhellenic Council (CPC) are the two umbrella organizations that serve as council executive boards that oversee Greek life. On the Winthrop campus, there is also the Interfraternity Council (IFC) which serves as another executive board along with NPHC and CPC.
Greek organizations have been a long tradition in American society, dating back to the 1700s when the first fraternity Phi Beta Kappa was founded at the College of William and Mary to be a place for students to congregate outside the classroom.
Since then, Greek life has spread across the US and even into Canada, becoming a staple in many college settings. Over 800 college campuses in the US are home to Greek life.
The fraternities and sororities on the Winthrop campus include: Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., Chi Omega Sorority, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity, Delta Zeta Sorority, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity, Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority Inc. and Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority.
Each of these chapters has its own expectations, creed and philanthropy.
Some philanthropic services these organizations help fund and volunteer for include the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Breast Cancer Awareness and many more.
“I like [Greek life], it has its ups and downs and I feel like I belong. I’ve met a lot of new people being in a sorority. I love helping out the community”, the source says about enjoying being a part of Greek life.
“Don’t knock until you try it. Go to interest meetings. Go to events. Even if you don’t want to go, you meet a lot of people whether you are Greek or not and they can help your community.”
So why should someone go Greek?
“Another community thing. If you are a big person in wanting to help the community and you don’t know how, or feel a bond that is different than you ever had before, or if you want scholarships, there are some you can try for. You will have a great time in Greek life or sorority life in general.”
Greek recruitment generally occurs in both the fall and spring semesters. What is crucial to know is that depending on the semester, those interested in joining will have different expectations.
Formal recruitment, that takes place in the fall semester, often includes a pre-planned schedule to follow over a certain period, also known as “rush.”
Informal recruitment schedules depend on the individual sorority or fraternity. Each chapter has different scheduling of events than other sororities and fraternities.
Prospective members will have to show their interest in recruitment by coming to events of the organizations and chapters.
“Don’t feel like you won’t belong because there is a place for everybody,” the source wants everyone to know.
More information about Greek life and recruitment can be found by visiting chapter recruitment events or through the information listed on a chapter’s social media.
