Greek or Bust? Finding your home at OU

Among Ohio schools, OU is surely not the capital for Greek life. However, at times it may feel like it is. Ohio University estimates that 11% of its 18,000 enrolled students are involved in greek life. Logistically speaking, that is only about 2,000 people, which is quite a small number considering the entire population of students living in Athens. But come fall quarter, and even the following winter and spring, it can seem that life without Greek is geek.
 
What do you do when you’re not in a sorority or a fraternity? Meet people in your hall, in classes you enjoy, in a learning community, or at a party on the weekend. But that all becomes trickier when those you surround yourself with are, in fact, members of said sororities or fraternities.
 
When your friends become involved in something on campus as social, and often times rewarding, as Greek life is, it can cause a change in thought. I never considered rushing until two of my closest friends went through the process and came out the other side pleases as can be with no complaints. I was intrigued, they told me a few horror stories that initially confirmed my close-minded assumptions. After those were out of the way, all they could talk about was how happy they were with where they ended up. A sense of satisfaction, one I hadn’t yet found on campus. With a changing mind and a little new incentive, I decided to check out Greek life myself, this time, but informally.
 
After two nights of business-casual dress and polite conversation, I received bids to two of the three sororities I looked into. With little time to weigh the differences, I made a decision in haste to join one of the two. After less than a week I confirmed my original suspicions, I wasn’t made for the Greek life, at least with that particular group. My friends continued on, meeting new people in their philanthropic families and attending exclusive socials. It was frustrating, but by that point I was better informed, aware that I had given myself and a new set of people an opportunity to get along. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out as I had very recently begun to hope, but there were no questions unanswered.
 
Sophomore Hannah Cryder, a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, couldn’t be happier with her choice to join Greek life. “Joining a Greek organization has given me my friends,” Cryder says. “I have met my best friends through it.” For Cryder, Greek life has not only given her a new social outlet, but more meaning to her experience at Ohio University. “I’ve thought about transferring to another school a few times, but I have too much invested here to leave. It’s so cliché but I have made a second family here.”
 
Despite the obvious benefits, I’m now setting myself apart from those in greek life by searching for my own niche, my own group and family. Isn’t that what college is about? The chance to finally stop being a follower, ditch the idea of an elementary line-leader and create your own path. With the number of established student groups at OU as well as those continually forming every day, there is no excuse not to give yourself the opportunity to discover something new.
 
Freshman Matt MacKay has had a wonderful college experience so far, without feeling the need to join a fraternity. “By not being in Greek life I sometimes I feel like I may be missing out on things like camaraderie, brotherhood, and of course social events, but at OU I don’t think you have to be in Greek life to enjoy yourself and meet people.” MacKay is involved in a number of musically oriented student activities including the Singing Men of Ohio. “I’ve always been involved in music so I really enjoy the different opportunities to get more involved here at school. The groups I’m part of almost feel like fraternities, in the sense that we’re all really close and do a lot together.” MacKay shows how student organizations can provide a solid social alternative to Greek life by bringing together students with common interests to create new and lasting friendships.
 
It isn’t just those musically inclined that have an alternative, Ohio University has plenty of organizations geared towards any and all interest groups. For the dramatic folks, The Lost Flamingo Company provides a number of opportunities to get involved, with productions happening year round. Those interested in language and culture can seek out the various groups dedicated to Spanish, German and nearly every country or language under the sun. In the rare occurrence that Ohio University doesn’t already have a group geared towards one’s interests, students are encouraged to create new groups, to continually expand the opportunities to become involved on campus.
 
Who knows, I may end up giving sorority life another try. With informal recruitments happening each quarter, there are plenty of opportunities and even more sisterhoods to look into. For now, however, I remain close to those who are involved in Greek life as well as those who aren’t. Most of all, I’m open to new groups, new opportunities, and new sides of myself to discover.