Re-thinking about becoming Greek

Rio_Kohitsuji · #1 08-10-2002, 05:29 PM

Maybe I need some guidance on this...but..a few of you have known that I was all excited about pledging this fall and etc. Well, I've been thinking about it, and I'm not sure if I'm going to now. If you're wondering why I guess I'll inform you. One, at the university I'm attending now, all of the sororities are local. Mind you, nothing against them, but when I go to party w/my bf's fraternity at some other campus it'd be nice to see sisters from another chapter!

Also, I really do not believe I'll fit in correctly w/the sororities here. I've done my investigating and so far, if you leave campus, they never speak to you again unless you contact them first. Second, I may be able to go to Ohio University next year...who has many national GLO's. So, if I pledge here..and have to go to OU..I won't have my normal circle of friends. Ya know? But, if I wait and go to OU to pledge and etc...I would only really have 2-3 years of being an active member. And I really do not want to pledge just to have a couple years then be gone for good. I just do not want to do that to my sisters.

Okay, I have had my ramble of nonsense...maybe this will make sense to someone else?

AOIIBrandi · #2 08-10-2002, 06:03 PM

This is a decision you should really think hard about. If you are going to transfer next year and still have 2-3 years left, and you don't think you would fit with any of the locals, I say wait. Remember that membership is for a lifetime, not just the 2-3 years you are a collegiate member. The average for actives is usually between 3-4 years so you would just be on the shorter side. The benefit to being in a national sorority is that pretty much no matter where you go after college you will be able to find sisters and/or an alumnae chapter to be involved in.

I know nothing about locals as my school did not have them, so someone else will have to weigh in on that side.

KappaKittyCat · #3 08-10-2002, 06:11 PM

Sweetie,

Wow, it sounds like you've been doing some heavy-duty thinking these past few weeks. That in and of itself is admirable. I guess my advice would be, go through Recruitment at your school this year and find out about it. You won't really know whether you'll fit in with them until you've met them. But if you have doubts, then by all means, don't sign your preference card. If you think you're going to transfer, then I'd suggest you wait, transfer, and rush a national GLO there. If you don't wind up transferring, then you can always go through Recruitment again. If having a national means that much to you, who knows... maybe you could instigate an affiliation with NPC organizations. I understand your wanting that kind of national network and connection, and not just for the parties, either. A national GLO will be there for you for your entire life, wherever you go. That said, don't discount the fabulous experience you can have as a member of a national GLO just because you come into it as a sophomore. Three of a possible four years as a collegiate Greek is better than none at all. That's an experience that you won't want to miss out on. I Initiated as a sophomore, and I've had just as much fun as I would have (though I often regret not having gone through FR myself, but I can't change that). As my graduation date approaches, I find myself thinking more and more that I'm grateful for my collegiate experience and even more greatful for the fact that Kappa will follow me for the rest of my life. Ok, now who's rambling? Basicly my point is that being Greek obviously means something to you if you're thinking about it this hard and this far in advance. Don't discount the possibilities before you've found out about them. Good luck to you.

chideltjen · #4 08-10-2002, 06:11 PM

i have enjoyed my local a lot. Granted I don't have sisters at other schools except for sonoma state, i still enjoyed my active semesters.
But if you do plan on transferring, that could be a risk. If you chose a local, get real close and transfer, you either will go alum and possibly lose contact with some of you sisters or you might go innactive and lose... well a lot. Cuz the thing about a local, unless they are an expanding one, there is only one of them out there. But on the bright side (maybe), if you join the local, decide it's not for you, there is no stress (technically) about transfering and joining another sorority, local or national. So it's up to you really.

good luck.

nyrdrms · #5 08-10-2002, 06:33 PM

Personally, I think it is wonderful that you are considering Greek life from so many aspects of it. You have done the background research concerning the local sororities at your school and have weighed the pros and cons about joining. Since, at this point, you still aren't sure about what you plan to do for next year, my advice is to simply go through recruitment. Recruitment does not obligate you in any way to actually pledge any of the organizations, it's merely a way to get to know a little more about them, and helps you to figure out where you feel comfortable. If after going through recruitment, you still aren't sure that you want to join, don't. Greek life can be a wonderful experience, but only if you're sure it's what you want. If you wait until you transfer, your options may be a lot more than what they are at your school. Don't worry about only being active for two or three years. We've had sisters that joined their senior year and were only active for a semester, but they were sisters nonetheless and still keep in contact with the collegiate chapter and have joined the alumnae chapter. You need to figure out what is best for you, and you won't know that if you don't take that first step and go through recruitment. Good luck sweetie!!

DeeGeePee · #6 08-10-2002, 07:19 PM

Well, I want to commend you for thinking about it and not just jumping into anything. Being a part of a non-NPC sorority is hard if that sorority is JUST at that campus or in that area, especially if you plan to move away. In my sorority, I am the only one at my school, but my chapter is based about an hour away, so its not far, and we all keep in touch through email and phone calls. I'm closer with my soror is South Carolina than I am with the ones near me, so I guess it just depends on the particular locals you have. But if you want that lifeliong, all over sisterhood that a national can give you, I say wait until you transfer. But still check out the locals like KappaKittyKat suggested, you never know, they may be for you, and you could always start a chapter at OU!!!

Lady Pi Phi · #7 08-10-2002, 09:06 PM

This is definitly a huge decision for you, and one you have to make on your own. Don't let anyone else tell you what to. I understand your fears about only having a short time as an undergrad active member if you choose to go to Ohio. But let me tell you this. I am graduateing this year which means I only have one more year left. I only pledged last winter. I really regret not rushing before hand, but what's done is done. The way I see it is I have to make the most of my time left with my sisters and be involved as much as i can. I will be the rush interest group chair, member on the social and membership interest groups, I'm a member of our standards board and I have decided to run for membership chair. I love my sisters and I couldn't have been happier (by the way I'm a member of Pi Beta Phi). I look at it as better late than never. If being a part of a national organization is what you really want then I would wait. While it might be a short time as an active undergrad, it's definitly better than nothing. I would think really hard before deciding what you want to do. I am so glad I did rush. You will be too.

Pi Phi Love and Mine,

Emily

DeltAlum · #8 08-10-2002, 11:04 PM

Wait.

You'll love O.U. and Athens is one of the best places in the country to go to college. The prototypical college town.

Why pledge a local that you know for sure won't have a chapter at Ohio? Depending on your decision, one way (waiting until next year) you will have three years to spend with your sisters -- the other (pledging this year and then moving) you'll have three years to spend without them. Also, think about the size of a National's alumni base once you're past graduation and move into your profession.

Galipolis isn't that far from Athens, so spend some time there. (my grandmother was raised in Galipolis, and my grandfather in Glouster -- I'm from Columbus originally and graduated from O.U.)

Any chance you could go to one of the O.U. branch campuses and then transfer to Athens? Just a thought.

Good luck!! Go Bobcats!!

Rio_Kohitsuji · #9 08-11-2002, 06:24 PM

DeltAlum- I've already checked w/the soro's around here and they have no other chapters at OU (at least somewhat-sorta visable and active).

Oh, I'm only 30-45 minutes away from the OU campus also

Everyone else: Trust me, I've done my checking around on the subject of local vs nationals. Believe it or not, I did the -wrong- thing and pledged my very first semester of college WITHOUT doing my background work on the individual sorority! (This was made able due to I had taken summer courses and had enough credits to be able to pledge my first 'real' semester out there) So, I do have some experience in the recruitment process. Also, what is with this rushing process you all speak of? I mean, seriously, at this campus rushing is so quick and so quiet no one hardly knows about it. (<--yeah, I know, completely off subject)

Anyway, I still haven't made my mind up, I really do want to become Greek, but not just for the sake of having letters. It's already kinda hard to wear 'borrowed' letters at times

Okay, *idea* I just thought...I was talking before about maybe making a new sorority around here..but of course let it be national. Do you all think that maybe, just maybe, that an OU sorority would want to 'big sister' a chapter down here???
Well, I've started to ramble anymore..but..hey..throw me some ideas? *grin grin*

jt · #10 08-11-2002, 07:10 PM

Well TKE209swtheart

I didn't pledge my fraternity till my junior year of college and i am glad i did. When i did i was 100% sure that i wanted to do this and i knew that i wanted to pledge that particular fraternity. The following year I graduated from college and was an alumnus member of my chapter. To be honest with you i have enjoyed every thing my fraternity has offered me since then.

I wouldn't worry about only have 2-3 years to associate with the chapter. As others have posted when you join a GLO its for life and not for a semester or a college term.

I dont know what is involved in getting a National Sorrority on your campus is. If you have found a Sorrority that you agree with thier ideals I would reccomend to contact their headquarters and see what the process is. Keep in mind that the whole process of getting a Sorrority may take up to a year.

Hope that you are not discouraged and that you do go greek when you transfer to OU. Wish you the best. Keep us informed as to what yo uhave done.

Chris

AlphaXi126 · #11 08-11-2002, 07:45 PM

Hey girl,
Well I know someone that has pledged and was initiated into one of the locals where you go to school last year, now she goes to Hocking, so you might give her a chatter...Im me if you would like to know who this lovely person is

As for going local or national...it just depends, if you pledge now and move to OU next year you will be missing out on alot of Great greek experiences...So pretty much...I think you need to decide which school you think you are going to be at for the next couple of years. Plus, greek life doesn't stop after 2 years...its there for life. So you will have a great experience no matter what. National orgs have alot more risk management rules than locals, and well pretty much alot more rules...I don't know if you watch sorority life...But a national org. would never (and i hope never want to) be able to air their recruitment process and things of that nature on tv...so there are alot of differences. Plus , you say recruitment isn't really heard of on yoru campus, well I would think recruitment at OU is HUUUUUUGEEEE....at my campus we have 2 sororitys and like 11 fraternities and its still pretty big, but all of us are nationals. But GO GREEK!, its awesome! have agreat one!!
-jodie.

aephi alum · #12 08-11-2002, 08:57 PM

If you know for sure that you want to go to OU, then I suggest you wait and rush there.

If you're not sure, I suggest you go through rush where you are and see what happens. You may conclude that none of the sororities at your school is right for you - or you may find some great sisters. You can always decline a bid if one is offered.

If you join a local sorority, you do have the option of joining an NPC sorority later on. I think there's someone on GC who joined a local while in college and later pursued alum initiation into an NPC sorority. It depends on your comfort level with pursuing initiation into a national after having made vows to a local. Just a thought.

FuzzieAlum · #13 08-12-2002, 12:31 PM

Let me point out ... NPC does not allow anyone to join two sororities, and the same is true of NPHC groups. HOWEVER, to the NPC, locals basically don't exist. They do allow you to pledge a national group if you've been in a local group. I know there is a gal on here who joined a local and as an alum affiliated with an NPC group (not the one her local eventually joined, either). You can do the same, except you don't have to wait until you're an alum.

Let me say I wouldn't normally advocate this ... like I wouldn't ever suggest a girl drops her local for a national on the same campus. But this is a slightly different circumstance.

Tom Earp · #14 08-12-2002, 05:00 PM

Please Remember, that you are not just a member for 3-4 years, you are a member for life!

I am and will always be a Brother of LXA! I have Been a Graduate for a Number of years and am Still involved and Still A Brother!

Look at it that way and maybe it will guide you a little better!

May the Force be with you!

Rio_Kohitsuji · #15 08-13-2002, 01:55 PM

OKay, yesterday I spent the day w/friends, yes, all Greek. I'm still stuck being the only GDI! lol ...they..along w/you helped me really put some more things in perspective

Also, finding out the information that I can pledge a local as well as a national helped also. *nods* So, in short, I've decided that is given the chance I will pledge this fall to a sorority I am pretty close to this fall

(My best bud is already a member) That way, if I decide to continue at my current school, I can give all my active years to my sisters and I won't get to miss out!!

Then, in the case that I go to OU to finish out my degree or further it, if I happen to get close to another sorority that is a national I can join if I wish and they wish for me to be apart of their sisterhood

So, all cool.

My sister said something to me a couple of days ago, "I hope you realize that going Greek will not help you later in life...you'll probably never hear from your 'sisters' again.."

But, after just reading and talking to people on here, I've realized that it wil help later...not what I just thought as a 4 year deal

Thanks everybody!!!

Future Greek coming your way!!