What exactly is Greek life? Is it worth it? What about hazing? Is it “buying your friends”?
Many questions run through you mind when it comes to getting involved in campus, Greek life is no exception.
I am going to be honest and upfront with you here, I was a member of the Greek community as an undergraduate at Rider University. I am a sister of Alpha Xi Delta (ΑΞΔ) and I also served as the Public Relations Chair on the Rider University Greek Council (RUGC).
Does that mean that I can not approach this topic from both sides, absolutely not. Greek life is not for everyone. If every organization was for everyone then we wouldn’t need to vote in this country- see what I am saying?
So why did I go Greek? I didn’t really know much about it, but my roommate at the time was ecstatic about it. I decided to check it out with her, thought that it seemed like fun and a good opportunity. I liked what Alpha Xi Delta stood for, “Inspiring women to realize their potential.” I visited the sisters and saw them as being role models and friends.
So I did it, college is a time for exploring and I decided to take the opportunity.
In my opinion and through my experience, Alpha Xi Delta made me into the leader I am today. The sisters encouraged me to travel, start my own organization on campus and helped me be a more well-rounded student. I definitely made some lifelong friends through my Greek life experience. As for “buying my friends” if I did, I didn’t pay nearly enough!
Was there drama and bull? Of course, when you are in an organization with 70+ women, it is inevitable.
Was I hazed? Not at all. I had a very positive experience.
Also, once upon a time there was this awful little website called collegeacb.com (still around but less vial since you can remove names and posts at will now…). On this website there was constant trashing and degrading of many aspects of Rider University, of which a main target was Greek life. Situations like that website and rumors are not accurate views of Greek life.
The only way to know for sure is to check it out for yourself. All I can say (and encourage) is to go check it out if you are interested!
There are many types of Greek life too. Directly from Rider University’s website,” Currently, Rider is home to four National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities, two North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) fraternities, three National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) sororities, one NPHC fraternity, two National Association of Latino Fraternal Organization (NALFO) chapters and one multicultural Greek organization.” That is a lot to choose from! Be sure to do your research to find out what kind of chapter you are looking for and what each chapter is looking for from their members.
Bottom line the decision is completely up to you. Especially at Rider, there are so many events and activities to get involved with, Greek life doesn’t have to be one of them. But it certainly can be if you think that there is a chapter that you like the members, like what they stand for and want to get involved with.
I wouldn’t trade my experiences in for anything, the good, bad, or ugly.
In Alpha Xi Delta we have a sign that says, “It is not four years, it’s for life”. Make sure that the decision you make will continually make you happy. It is ironic that I write this today, because it is my four year anniversary of being a sister of Alpha Xi Delta
Would you consider going Greek? Why or why not?