Walking down Light Street or East Street, houses upon houses are labeled with Greek letters. Even walking around campus, jackets, sweatshirts and shirts representing letters are a common thing to see. Although Greek Life is not that huge here at Bloomsburg University, it’s a very tight knit community.
It is about being a family, helping the community and improving yourself. Greek Life is about being part of something bigger than yourself. Not only do you represent your fraternity or sorority but you represent your college as well. All of these organizations are dedicated to creating close bonds between people, building your resume, meeting new people, and of course, the social life that comes with it.
There are 28 diverse Greek Life organizations at Bloomsburg University with a ton of unique people. Many sororities and fraternities here have a long and rich history with many continuous traditions on campus.
When joining a sorority or fraternity, you create lifelong friendships with people that you never thought you would ever get to meet. Not only do you get to meet new people in your own organization but also through mixers and other social events, you get to meet other Greek Life members in different sororities or fraternities.
The main benefit of a sorority or fraternity is gaining a sense of brotherhood or sisterhood. “Joining a sorority has given me tons of sisters who will be there for you in any situation, good or bad. I trust them with everything and I feel like I belong with them”. Riddle also then added “You stay in touch with your sisters even after college, my aunt for example was in a sorority years ago and still to this day, she goes on vacations with them and keeps in close contact with mostly all of them,” said Victoria Riddle, a Chi Sigma Rho sister.
Many students have also joined Greek Life to enhance their college experience. Mixers, banquets, community service, social activities and Greek Week are just some of the events that are enjoyed by those in Greek Life. Community service events that most sororities and fraternities participate in are the Big Event, Relay for Life, blood drives, cancer walks and March of the Dimes. There are also more specific philanthropies that each individual organization participates in every year. For example, Alpha Sigma Alpha is heavily involved with putting their hard work and time into the Special Olympics and St. June Smith Center.
Not only do you learn about leadership positions but also you learn a lot about the responsibilities of paying dues. Every semester, a certain amount of dues need to be paid by the end of the semester which the money goes to all different kinds of things such as nationals (if your sorority or fraternity is national), rush events, social events and toiletries for the house. This is all preparing you for the future bills to be paid when you live on your own.
Not only do you learn how to handle positions and money but this also encourages students to stay up on their academics. Greek Life helps students learn how to balance their school work and provides academic support, including peer tutoring, upperclassman counseling and chapter study hours to help you get good grades.
Being a member of Greek Life also has a huge benefit for your resumes. It shows leadership, dedication, service to others, cooperation and collaboration. Not only does it look good on resumes but it can help with career networking. For example, an interviewer who participated in Greek Life would acknowledge and appreciate the skills an interviewee possessed if they too were involved in a sorority or fraternity. Alumni in a fraternity or sorority can also help make your job search process easier by making recommendations as to where to apply and even give you a good reference to help land that job.
Despite some of the rumors that circulate about Greek Life, it is a great opportunity for your college life and future. It guarantees an incredible bond with the most amazing people you will ever meet. Many have said that joining Greek Life was the best decision they have ever made and they love wearing their letters with pride.