Is Greek life for everyone?

[Dionysus]

We as people have a variety of personalities, experiences, backgrounds. Is greek life "fit" for everyone?

[axotiger]

not neccesarily. But Greeks go into every aspect of life, so if someome is trying to use the excuse that they are not 'sorority/fraternity' material, or they dont meet the standards, then someone tell me the standards.

Service vs social, local vs. national, fraternity vs. sorority.

I think that if you want to be in one, you will someone somewhere to fit in . But there are some that just have NO desire to be in one, and that's fine and dandy for them.... but they don't know what they're missin

[33girl]

In a word, NO.

[carnation]

I'm glad you brought this up. Since BlazerCheer didn't pledge, I've asked myself this daily--pertaining more to some of my children than others.

My children have been thoroughly exposed to Greek life through friends, conversation, books...even websites, as the older 6 are frequently found on GC, university Greek websites, all the way down to fraternitysecrets, lol! I want them to know the friendships, the fun, the bonds, and everything else I have known. I'm afraid that mine who don't go Greek will feel out of the loop with those who have.

Of course non-Greeks can be close and have great times. It's just that the bonds of fraternity life reach beyond the campus years and I have to admit it, I want all my kids to be Greek.

[greeklawgirl]

Not only no, but HECK no!

[LeslieAGD]

Originally posted by 33girl
In a word, NO.

You took the word right out of my mouth.

[Blue Violet]

I think maybe some people are just more interested in certain things. Of my highschool friends (Whom I am still very close) I am one of the very few who went greek. The others certainly could have-they were smarter, prettier, more out going etc. than me! But they just didn't feel that need. They were all involved in highschool and loved it and when they went to college it was just for an education. They had very full lives outside of school. I on the other hand hated highschool and wasn't involved and hated college until I went greek. I almost dropped out of college because I was so disappointed with it and someone said one day-"you know what you need? You need to join a sorority". She wasn't in one and she wasn't even that great of a friend-but you know what? She was right. I'm just the kind of person who likes to know a bunch of people. I like having a huge extended family. Certainly my greek experience isn't perfect and has had its ups and downs like anything. But I have made life long friends in and outside of my organization that I would have never made otherwise. I need a lot of people in my life. Some people don't have that need. They like having a small tight knit group. I don't think it is for everyone. However it really depends on your campus. If you attend a large university with TONS of clubs, orgs activities and whatever-greek may not be necessary or possible (expensive!) but if you go to a smaller school where its hard to meet people-being greek could save your life.

[Terri]

I guess the answer would be no, but I tell everyone who I come across to at least become a new member. Being greek means different things to different people, and can offer great experiences to anyone willing to give it a chance.

Terri
Phi Sigma Sigma
Zeta Omega Chapter
"Once a Phi Sigma Sigma, always a Phi Sigma Sigma"

[MaryPoppins17]

It depends. My school only has 4 sororities. Trust me, not everyone fits into them. Also a lot of people dont' have the money to pay for dues on top of all the other college expenses.

So to keep it short, in general the answer is NO.

[Kevin]

I think not... You can't force people to like us. I think that many people could fit in and enjoy the experience though if they were open to it...

They're just not though.

There's also the money issue.. It does cost quite a bit (at least for national orgs).

So I guess the answer to your question is no.

[texas*princess]

I have to agree to a certain extent that greek life isn't for everyone.

Just wondering Dionysus, do you mean general greek life, (NPC, IFC, NPHC, and professional/honorary GLO's or just NPC/IFC)?

There are many organizations out there to choose from, whether you want to go for social GLO's or any other kinds like professional or even honorary.

I'm a very positive person and would like to think there is a "home" for anyone no matter which type of GLO they are interested in; but not everyone is interested in GLO's either.

[aephi alum]

I don't think greek life is for everyone... but there are different varieties of greek life that often get overlooked. Everyone sees the social fraternities and sororities, but you often have to go looking for the service GLOs, professional GLOs, NPHC GLOs, MCGLOs, etc. Someone who may not be happy with the social GLOs available to them may find their home in, say, a service GLO.

[FuzzieAlum]

No, but for different reasons.

Some people are just, and this sounds judgmental, not good enough for Greek life. I mean, would you (no matter what kind of Greek you are) want someone who sells crack or prostitutes him/herself as a brother or sister? Even most academic honoraries have a statement about "good character" as a membership requirement.

Other people simply aren't interested. If you're satisfied to have only one or two friends and not be involved in any activities, you will never find a GLO that lets you be that uninvolved. It doesn't mean a GLO wouldn't be willing to have you, though.

I think there are lots of people who could be Greek of some stripe but think, "Ew, Greek," or are at a school where Greek life isn't really an option. Those are the people who could be Greek but aren't. That doesn't necessarily mean, however, that they realize what they're missing. That's what we as Greeks need to do to keep GLOs alive - show them what they're missing. And then make sure the options for joining are there, or that your system is ready to expand.