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. . . .
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