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Before you join
The Louisville Courier-Journal
Sunday, August 5, 2007

Heading off to school this fall? Here are some tips if you're considering Greek life:

Do your research. "Watch (Greek organizations) around campus," said Monica Bryant, a Zeta Phi Beta at U of L [University of Louisville]. See how much work they do and how people interact with one another as well as other Greek and non-Greek groups. "If they have drama you can see, there will be drama when you get in," she said. "It's not going to go away."

Settle in before making rash decisions. "Sometimes when people come in the fall, they are overwhelmed with not living at home and having the freedom to do what they want, when they want," said Rodney Vallejo, 22, a Sigma Chi who recently graduated from UK [The University of Kentucky]. "It's just too much for them. We tell them to come back in the spring … focus on your studies and join the fraternity when you feel ready."

Join for the right reason. "Don't rush organizations just because you've heard they are the most coveted groups on campus," said Alan DeSantis, associate professor at the University of Kentucky and faculty adviser to numerous Greek groups on campus. Investigate all the houses to "make serious emotional connections with like-minded people."

If you're curious, it can't hurt to look. "An experience can never be bad," said Alicia Azimipour, who remains an independent. "It's only a bad experience if you don't learn and grow from your own decisions."

"You can always go through the rush process and drop it if it's not for you," added Ally O'Bryan, a Pi Beta Phi at the University of Dayton.

Follow your instincts. "You have to do what you personally feel," Vallejo said. "There's an intuitive side in everyone that will tell them if it's right or wrong."