I would like to start off this article by saying that I am the last person I ever thought would join Greek Life when I went away to college, and yet somehow here I am in my junior year with an executive board position, and I am absolutely loving every minute of it.
Truthfully, I never saw myself as fitting the stereotype of a sorority girl, which is still true today, however, Augustana’s Greek Life is nothing close to what it is like at nationally affiliated schools. As every student knows, Augie very clearly has its own way of doing things, which I think is reflected within its Greek Life program as well. Not only does Augie have its own chapters, but each group clearly reflects differing (but equally important) values and morals that we are dedicated to upholding. In this way, there is truly a group for everyone to fit into and love. On top of that, due to Augie’s small size, each group is so close-knit and connected to one another.
Now, I know that not everyone is going to buy this or think that Augie’s chapters are no different than the national ones. In fact, if you Google “sorority stereotypes” the first thing you see will be a chart that lists national chapters and what characteristics or traits commonly come to mind about members of that particular group. You will also see them ‘ranked’ on what is believed to be a higher-ranked group. A common trend that I noticed from these stereotypes is that the higher they are ranked, the more shallow the stereotypes are about that group. However, Augie’s chapters don’t have any stereotypes linked to their names, so there is nothing to worry about in that regard. As I previously mentioned, every group on this campus is so unique and true to itself, meaning that we value the differences that each member brings to the group. It is the greatest way to meet the most impactful group of friends you will ever have during college.
During the recruiting process my freshman year of college, I neglected to sign up to rush until the very last day that it was available, because I kept convincing myself that it just wasn’t for me, or that I wouldn’t fit in with any groups. However, what got me to sign up, in the end, was the realization that at the very minimum, rush is simply a great way to meet new people and make friends. And in the end, I loved the entire experience of meeting so many unique groups and finding the one where I felt the most at home. This group has made me feel so connected to the campus and has allowed me to grow into the truest version of myself that I have ever seen. I truly couldn’t imagine how different my life would look now if I hadn’t chosen to join Greek Life.
If you are thinking that Greek Life is simply not for you, I strongly urge you to at least rush and go into the process with an open mind. At the very least, you will be meeting new people on campus and building friendships and connections. There is absolutely no pressure to make a commitment, but it is much harder to choose not to rush and later on regret that decision. Hopefully, Augie can prove to you that Greek Life is worth the time.