Should you go Greek? A decision of a lifetime.
0By Makayla Colley
You have heard the good, the bad, and the ugly. You’ve seen them on television and in the movies. Should you join a fraternity or sorority? Maybe you have heard about it through flyers on campus or your friends. Here are some facts about Greek life, Alpha to Omega.
Going Greek allows you to make friends, build your resume and develop leadership skills or just change some aspect of your life.
The University of Pikeville offers the chance for both men and women to become members of Greek organizations with two sororities and two fraternities to choose from. For the women, there are Zeta Omega Chi and Delta Delta Nu. With Gamma Sigma Chi and Delta Alpha Lambda standing as choices for the men.
Joining a fraternity or sorority at any point in your college career may become a huge part or your identity as a college student.
The main question stands: Does going Greek benefit you by increasing your chance for success, or is it all a hoax?
According to the University of Missouri-Kansas City, nationally, 71 percent of all fraternity and sorority members graduate, while only 50 percent of non-members graduate. All fraternity and sorority GPAs are higher than the overall collegiate GPA.
The considerations one must think about before joining Greek life are connections, cost, events, belonging, and stereotypes.
“The bonds and friendships you make are unknown and unprecedented. You learn about people you never knew before and grow that much closer to those you thought you already knew. I have to say going Greek has been one of biggest and also the best decision I have made,” Dustin Fitch, senior member of Alpha Delta Lambda, said.
While a member of Greek life, you may have the opportunity to gain valuable connections. According to www.usatodayeducate.com, since 1825, all but three U.S. Presidents have been members of a fraternity.
National statistics provided by the University of Missouri-Kansas City show that 85 percent of Fortune 500 key executives are fraternity or sorority members. 76 percent of U.S. Senators are Greek members and 85 percent of student leaders on 730 campuses are members of Greek organizations.
The connections that students make while being a member of Greek life provides them the opportunity to form a new bond with others as well as a network that will continue to expand. This professional network will help you after graduation.
“Greek life has given me the chance to belong to something larger than myself. I’ve gotten to know people I would have never have met otherwise and do things on and off campus,” said Andrew Coleman, Gamma Sigma Chi president.
The huge factor that some people may not think about before becoming a part of Greek life is cost. The cost is an important consideration beforehand. There are costs that include recruitment fees, dues, possibly housing fees is you plan on living in the fraternity or sorority house, wardrobe costs, and social functions. There are many built-in expenses that need to be considered. Some Greek organizations offer scholarships or other financial aid to ease the burden.
To be a Greek member at UPIKE dues are required but range in price between each organization. Zeta Omega Chi sorority collects dues $60 form each member per semester while it will take $50 a semester to be a members of Delta Delta Nu. To be a member of Alpha Delta Lambda fraternity it will take $100 a semester and $50 to be in Gamma Sigma Chi.
Many individuals decide to go Greek for a sense of belonging. Many high school graduates tend to go off to a college or university where they may know one or two people or possibly no one at all, and going Greek may be their biggest opportunity for building new friendships.
“Being Greek is a wonderful experience. You meet new people from all walks of life and learn to become family. It becomes your family away from family,” Carmen Koster, sophomore Delta Delta Nu Sargent-at-Arms, said.
“It’s important to go Greek because it is a great way to make friends that you will cherish forever. Being in a sisterhood or brotherhood forms a special bond that will last a lifetime,” said Alexis Vescovo, senior and Zeta Omega Chi president.
There are many stereotypes that come along with fraternities and sororities that tend to give the groups bad names.
This is your opportunity to prove society wrong. Members of Greek life participate in community service, leadership activities, and volunteer work. The opportunities that are presented to Greek members are outstanding and often unrecognized, and that is unfortunate.
“People judge us and think they know us as a community. Sadly they are no where close to understanding us as a whole much less as individuals,” Fitch said.
Greek members are introduced and accepted into a community of others that share common beliefs and are positively influenced to become leaders in their communities and today’s society.
“Since UPIKE added Greek life to campus, community service has definitely increased. The Greeks foster a connection between the university and community. I’m proud of the work they do,” Chandra Massner, associate professor of communication and advisor to Zeta Omega Chi, said.
“I have never been happier to have these group of girls by my side every day. They aren’t friends, roommates, teammates, or anything like that. They are my sisters, which goes so much deeper than anything else. When I look back on my life, all my memories will fall back on the fun times I’ve shared with these lovely ladies,” Vescovo said.