When you leave home for college, one of your main goals is finding out exactly where you fit in. We all need to find somewhere in the college atmosphere where we belong. For me, it took a year and a half to find that place.
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I found my home in Spring 2015 in the comforting embrace of Zeta Psi Eta, the local University of West Florida sorority. These ladies welcomed me with open arms, and this organization has been doing the same for its members since 1997. With the help of some gentlemen from The Kappa Alpha Order, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Delta Tau Delta, our UWF chapter founder, Julie Frank, created a unique home for women with similar interests and unique personalities.
Now, that’s not to say we are any better or any worse than the traditional sororities. Zeta Psi Eta is a different experience altogether. All sororities are different and each organization offers its own opportunities.
One similarity between Zeta and traditional sororities is the chair structure. We have officers to assure Zeta runs smoothly and that all our bases are covered just like traditional sororities. For example, we have positions like the traditional president, vice president, secretary, etc. Other positions include being in charge of sister events to promote bonding, and a philanthropy chair that takes care of our semesterly philanthropic duties and helping tracking volunteer hours. One chair that might differ in some ways is our UWF Relations chair that is responsible for promoting our involvement in the UWF community while also bringing the ladies in our chapter opportunities to participate in programs and activities the university offers.
Another difference I have seen is our autonomy, since we do not have to answer to a national council. With that comes less expensive dues and the opportunity to change the rules as we go along. It’s different from national organizations in that they have national rules and regulations to follow. However, that does classify our organization as a student organization instead of a sorority in the eyes of the university as well as much of the greek community on campus. In the grand scheme of things, Zeta is just a baby. We are growing and learning every day. With each class that comes up, we find ways to run more efficiently.
Like other sororities, we participate in philanthropy. Our sorority participated in the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk in the fall and Relay for Life in the spring. Throughout the school year, we take part in many volunteer opportunities around the community as well as on our very own campus. We make it a point to give back to UWF in any way we can.
Zeta Psi Eta sisters at the 2015 Homecoming boat race, photo courtesy Jynna Embich
When I found Zeta, it was hard for me to imagine that I could get along with so many ladies, all completely different from myself. Â Now a full year later, these girls are my family. I could not imagine my life without them, and I never want to. Having the opportunity to be a part of this sorority, though it is small, feels like one of the biggest things I have ever done.
Sororities give women the opportunity to find home away from home. Regardless of where you end up, I recommend going through recruitment and finding where you fit best. One of the reasons I tried Zeta in the first place was because of all of the wonderful things they were involved in.
Every sorority has its own personality. Any aspect of the organization can draw you in. Maybe it’s their members’ excitement, philanthropic commitments or even the official colors. Whatever attracts you, try it out by attending an interest meeting. If you feel as though you are missing something from your college experience or you feel the need for something extra in your life, a sorority might just be the right choice for you.
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