Chrissy,
I'll answer your question to the best of my ability. No. None of those things are required of you. Most are just legends, created by people who were scared of or didn't like sororities, meant to scare girls away from joining.
Sororities will have social and even some philanthropy projects in conjuncion with a fraternity, however, the pledge process has nothing to do with them. You won't be required to do anything with fraternity members in order to be initiated.
Basically, the pledge process is to prepare you--with history--for the sorority. Most sororities, if not all, require you to know about it's history. You also will be given projects. For instance, while I pledged, we had to coordinate a philanthropy project for the sorority, host and coordinate a fundraiser, host and coordinate a sisterhood project, and learn the history of or sorority. All things vital to continuing a sorority. Yes, it can be work at times, but it's for the good of the sorority--and it helps create and build character. Knowing how to do these things creates leadership skills and study skills--which is also vital to a sorority--and life in general.
Sororities, despite rumors, are around for the greater good. They were designed for an elite group of girls, and used to further their aims and ideals. Being a part of a sorority is supposed to be about helping the community. Many people fail to see that aspect of sorority life. They only see the social side, and although we are social sororities-and fraternities, this is not our only aim in life. Many, if not all, sororities take their business seriously, and many will agree that the parties come after the work.
Think about a typical college week. Many students get up, go to class, eat their meals, go home, socialize in their dorms, study and go to bed. While this is the aim of college and universities--to produce graduates, sororities and fraternities ADD to these things. A typical week with a sorority member might be drastically different. They get up extra early to help with a campus clean up project they coordinated, they go off to class, they have lunch, they go off to class again, they go home, they get ready for a sorority dinner, they socialize, they go to a sorority meeting, They hold a risk mangangment workshop, they compile into study groups, they go to bed. Everyday it's something new. They are creating a better college experience by getting involved in something.
The most important thing for you to do, while looking into sororities, is to look at all the options. Know what each sorority is about. Check out their national webpages, look at how active they are on campus, think about their philanthropy and if you would enjoy supporting it.
I hope that I've helped you see a more positive light about sororities. Yes, they are hard work, and can even be stressful at times, but they help build self esteem, character, leadership skills, study skills, social skills. They teach you to look out for your friends/loved ones, how to get involved in your communities, they open new doors to new places. They create networking opportunities and lifelong sisterhood friendships.
I'd like to add, yes, you are right. Hazing DOES occur. However, it is the exception--not the rule. I was never hazed in EITHER of my soririties. Hazing is a terrible thing, illegal of course, and detrimental to our organizations and the individuals involved. Sororities ar trying to get rid of hazing--be sure of that. Each National Sorority (I'm not sure about Locals) has something called Risk Management. This is to provide the sorority with facts about hazing and other issues involving sororities and women. I would also like to point out that fraternities and sororities are not the only type of organizations that have been known to haze. The military is a big breeding ground for hazing, along with high school, college, and professional sports. Know this, sororities as a whole are trying to do away with hazing--again, it's the exception, not the rule.
[This message has been edited by mgdzkm433 (edited November 28, 2000).]
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