I can understand this for philanthropy or sorority events like big-little or bid day, but for me, I did not feel comfortable being told that it was mandatory for me to attend “sisterhood events.” I, like most people, am a busy college student, and while I love to go out and have fun with my friends just as much as the next person, I do not like being forced to go out when I am not in the mood to do so. What they do not advertise during recruitment is the fact that almost everything they do is a “mandatory” event. It is no secret that Greek Life organizations on campus host a lot of social gatherings. ![]() My second issue with the sorority was the rigid rules surrounding each member’s social life. This was a club I joined to have fun and make friends, not so that I could have other women my age tell me what days I can and cannot work and how I have to spend my time - especially when my income depends heavily on how busy the restaurant is and how many sales I have. I could have avoided this by taking Sundays out of my work availability, but Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays were the easiest days for me to work without sacrificing my school work. Shouldn’t spending time with your friends be something you want to do, not a way to avoid financial burden? Once, when I was scheduled to work a double on Sunday, I was fined $30 for missing the mandatory sisterhood picnic. I racked up a whopping $160 in fines, in addition to the already expensive $342.45 dues that active sisters have to pay.Īctive sisters can also be fined for missing social gatherings. For someone who is already working to pay for their rent, utilities and groceries - these fines and expenses are no small inconvenience. I was fined $50 several times for missing a Sunday night meeting that had a ritual. Some are small, only $15, but others can be expensive. Sisters are given four missed-event excuses for the entire semester, and when you run out, you are forced to pay. This penalization actively discourages hard work, one of the fundamental aspects that these organizations claim to teach. Rather than work toward a compromise, I was told that our bylaws state that these meetings were mandatory and the sorority had no choice but to fine me for every meeting I missed. At the beginning of the fall semester, I had to work doubles on Sundays - a crucial money-making day at my local sports bar - and was met not with compromise but penalization. I pay for my bills and almost all other expenses myself, which requires me to work weekends as a server. Perhaps my biggest personal struggle with my former sorority was the lack of consideration for students who are not privileged enough to not work while also attending college. I simply want to share my own personal experience, and help students factor in these downsides that come with joining an on-campus sorority - downsides that are not clear when you sign up for recruitment. I learned a lot in each experience that I had - both good and bad - but in the end, I discovered that this is a part of college that I wanted nothing to do with, which is just as valuable as it would have been if I really loved it. It can be a great way for some students to network, get involved in philanthropic events and find a community on campus. ![]() Now, the point of this piece is not to scare anyone away from joining a Greek Life organization. 9, 2022, I submitted my resignation to my sorority, and even though it was a hard decision to make, it was one that I do not regret. However, what happens when those friendships turn into something that feels more like a chore? It is advertised as a fun way for students to make friends and have the option of participating in events on campus. Having an organization dedicated to creating relationships and fostering positive relationships with others seems incredibly appealing. College can be a difficult transition for lots of people, and sometimes finding a big group of friends can alleviate some of the loneliness that may come with being away from home. It is no secret that Greek Life is one of the most common and well-known parts of the “college experience” across campuses everywhere. Various Greek Life members stand together in the Chamberlain Student Center.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |