Sororities break stereotypes with academic expectations
RUSH is over. Let the sorority life begin.
For the last week sorority members and hopefuls of Chi Omega, Kappa Delta and Alpha Chi Omega have been busy with RUSH, the time for those interested to learn more about sororities and the Greek life.
“RUSH is just an opportunity for those girls interested in becoming Greeks,” Lori Tillotson, a sophomore member of Kappa Delta from Centerville, Utah, said. According to Tillotson potential members of sororities have the opportunity to go to each sorority house during RUSH week, learn about their differences and then choose which sorority they hope to become a member of.
After RUSH pledges and members make a list of their first and second choice and so on and then the sororities see which of their first choices match up according to Alpha Chi Omega president Julie Hansen, a senior from Heber City, UT. Then there is a 6-8 week new member period, depending on the sorority, where new members learn more about the sorority, its history, the Greek alphabet and make their final decision before formal initiation according to Hansen.
Although sororities do have some academic and campus involvement qualifications, most rushees can be accepted whose sorority (Kappa Delta) does have academic qualifications and requires members to be involved in at least one other campus organization, according to Tillotson.
” The main thing about a sorority is just getting involved,” Hansen said. Alpha Chi Omega requires members to be involved in at least two other campus organizations and maintain a 2.5 GPA.
Both Tillotson and Hansen maintain that the biggest part of sorority life is the people and service. Sororities and fraternities adopt a cause called philanthropy which is a charitable organization that the sorority or fraternity will do service for.- “We’re very service oriented, all the Greek houses are. We do at least one service project a month,” Tillotson said. Kappa Delta’s largest service event is held in March and is used to raise money to prevent child abuse. Alpha Chi Omega does at least one cultural event a month as well as service projects often as well according to Hansen.
However it’s not just the service that makes the Greek lifestyle unique and desirable to so many students. Hansen describest Greek life as a complete community.
“Pretty much Greek life is a totally different life. You know a lot more people. You have a house. I live with 24 other girls who are my sisters and are there for me. It’s like a big support system,” Hansen said. “There’s always something to do,” Hansen said.
Tillotson also enjoys the community feeling in her sorority house. “We have people here all the time hanging out,” she said.
Another important element influencing sororities is that of legacy. According to Greekspot.com, a website dedicated to sororities, fraternities and the Greek lifestyle, legacy is when a potential member of a greek organization has a grandparent, parent or sibling who was an initiated member of the group. Tillotson’s legacy was one of her main reasons she wanted to join a sorority. “My sister was in Kappa Delta up here and told me it’s the best thing you’ll ever do in your life,” Tillotson said.
Hansen was actually never interested in joining a sorority but ended up loving the idea after attending RUSH last year. “I actually never wanted to join but they were giving out free dinner one night and then I got to know the girls and loved it,” Hansen said.
The biggest frustration to many sororities is the party stereotype many affiliate with sororities. Alcohol is not allowed in any USU sorority house according to Hansen.
“The stereotypes of a party girl or an airhead are so not true. We’re really service oriented, academic oriented and involved on campus. I think our involvement says it all,” Hansen said.