Southern Methodist Campus Paper's Advice
 

A columnist for the campus paper (July 1, 2008) offers some general tips to incoming students -- especially women -- regarding Greek life and "behavior":

http://media.www.smudailycampus.com/...-3386841.shtml

Almost all of what's said has been mentioned repeatedly on GreekChat, but it's the kind of stuff that usually needs to be said every year, and not just for SMU. It can be especially relevant at any school that has deferred recruitment for freshmen.

By the way, the author of the column says she's a sorority member.

A few excerpts:

. . . I saw more people than I can count come to college and basically lose their minds. They didn't study enough, and their goals involved partying as much as possible. This is all too true, even more for freshmen girls, especially those looking to go Greek.

. . . Your focus this first semester should be to learn to take care of yourself on your own, get good grades and start figuring out who you are as a person.

After first semester, Greek life will either become a part of who you are as a person or it will not - either way is great! Going Greek is a wonderful experience for some.

You find a family and group of friends who you bond with instantly, you do wonderful things for your school and community, and yes, there are a lot of fun parties to go to. But "party" does not mean binge-drinking-coma-inducing-drug-filled nights.

Be smart about the choices you make this year, and do things that you want to do because you want to do them. If you go through fall semester thinking that you have to impress every sorority girl or frat guy you meet, you're going to get hurt, not have any fun and it's not smart.

. . . College is a time when you figure out who you are, and what is truly important to you. You learn to make sacrifices, form friendships, and you screw up a lot along the way.

We are a campus that is almost 40 percent Greek, so every two of the five people you know will find themselves at home in a sorority or fraternity here.

Don't try and be that girl or guy who has it figured out within a week where you want to join; trust me, you're probably wrong.

Meet people the right way - through classes, clubs and yes, through going out. But go out safely, and use your head when you do.

. . . I went through recruitment my first year, and looking back I cannot imagine life without my sorority sisters. But I didn't change who I was. I didn't party until I dropped, and I certainly didn't go into it with the attitude that I knew where I belonged. . . .

Why would SMU publish this in July? I'm sure the campus is crawling with students to read it.

My sisters actually going to SMU this fall, i should give her this, she is planning on rushing. Benzgirl i agree, they don't even have rush till spring.

Benzgirl, great question. In the actual column, the author says, Right now, future SMU'ers are on campus for tours and AARO sessions, so this is mostly directed at you!

I took that as meaning pre-freshmen are on campus for an assortment of get-ready-for-SMU events. At some schools those kinds of things aren't unusual.

I think she's an Alpha Chi Omega.

and im willing to bet they will re-run the article that first week of classes.

you know, this may be true at a greek-heavy campus like SMU but the few girls i knew who rushed had that "party" streak in them before they got to college. and yeah, that first semester, the froshies bug out and go wild, and them grades come in and they sing a whole different tune that next semester... or sophomore year.

but im stating the obvious huh?

Smart girl! :)

Incoming students have their orientations in July. There are probably quite a few that will read it!