When I first read my acceptance letter to the University of Virginia, I was beyond excited. Like so many other hopeful Wahoos, I thought of all the amazing things that I would be able to be a part of in college. I wanted to study foreign languages and play competitive sports and meet new people, but one thing I never really imagined myself being involved in was Greek life. Before coming to college, I had honestly never even been exposed to anything sorority related. Well…not unless we’re counting the ridiculous portrayals of Greek life in movies and television shows (ugh, let’s please not count that!). So you can only imagine the wide range of emotions I felt when I made the decision to participate in Formal Recruitment.
I remember the moment, during Round Robbins, that my Pi Chi group arrived at our first chapter house of the day. My stomach was fluttering from a feeling reminiscent of the butterflies I developed on my first date. More than anything, I just wanted to find the one chapter that I would immediately fall in love with. But one thought lingered in the back of my mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had possibly made a mistake by deciding to rush. I was worried that I would commit to a chapter, only to find myself regretting that decision a month later. Only, I didn’t feel this way because I didn’t think I wanted to be in a sorority, in fact, it was exactly what I wanted! Instead, my doubts were the result of just wanting to fit in wherever I ended up.
Throughout the entire recruitment process, it was impossible not to notice the lack of women of color both as present, active members of Inter Sorority Council chapters and as Potential New Members. I would never assume that there’s any one particular reason why it seems that women of color tend not to join ISC sororities, but my personal experiences allow me to consider some possible reasons.
The Inter Sorority Council and the National Panhellenic Conference both strive for and encourage diversity. But if diversity is so sought after, what makes a woman of color feel so uncomfortable about rushing ISC sororities?
Maybe she’s afraid of being perceived as “the token” member by others. Because no-one wants to be known as the girl who was only offered membership because enough people complained to the nationals that the local chapter was only bidding former boarding school girls.
Or maybe it’s fear of outright rejection because she doesn’t think she’ll ever be able to fit in – walking into a house filled with 200 beautiful, tan, blonde women is enough to make anyone feel inferior.
Or maybe she’s a girl who really wanted to join, and she had her heart set on rushing one chapter. But the week before formal recruitment began, she was told by one of her hallmates that Alpha Alpha Alpha “doesn’t bid girls like you,” so she decides rush will be a waste of her time.
The National Panhellenic Conference claims to be “the voice for sorority advancement.” But if that’s true, why does it feel that they’ve continually failed sorority women in more ways other than just “diversity.” Why, in the Twenty-first Century, can sanctions still be levied against any ISC chapter that decides to serve alcohol at a party, while fraternities are not only allowed to serve alcohol, but also expected to do so? And why is it that noise violations can be imposed upon ISC chapters that cheer “too loudly and excessively” during formal recruitment, when the purpose of the process is to show PNMs how excited your chapter is to welcome them?
Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of women within the Greek community at UVA to ensure that things change, and now is the time to start making voices heard.