The Spectrum

Issue date: 9/14/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Brittany Raine A row of rocks symbolizes the unity of Greek Life

Greek Life has provided a sense of family to many students on campus looking for a place to belong. However, a recent decline in participation in such organizations makes people wonder: Is the family growing apart?

With four fraternities and six sororities on campus, there are plenty "families" to choose from, but the six-to-eight-week-long process of pledging makes many candidates think twice.

"It is possible that [pledging] is one of the reasons that people are unsure of joining," said Jason Hawkins, senior, Queens, N.Y., a member of Greek Life. "But the learning process that people go through creates an intimate understanding and appreciation for their fraternity/sorority that other clubs could not fathom accomplishing by simply allowing people to join."

Each sorority and fraternity keeps the specific details of their pledging process closely guarded, and that may be precisely what is disturbing to potential participants.

"I think people tend to shy away from what they don't know," said Elisabeth Mordecai, senior, Bethany, and member of Phi Omega Tau. "They don't know what to expect, so they expect the worse. [Pledging] is not easy, but it is not as bad as other people may think. Some look to the movies or television, which usually depict sororities and fraternities as being disrespectful and unfriendly, and it scares them away.

"Our purpose is not to scare people into joining an organization. We want them to feel like they are a part of something and as they join a family, they also contribute to a very worthy cause."

Some of these worthy causes include Lambda Sigma Phi's Rape Prevention and Sexual Abuse Awareness, Beta Delta Phi's Breast Cancer Awareness and Zeta Iota Lambda's Disability Awareness.

Greek Life, for the first time in two years, is now allowing freshmen to pledge during their first semester.

Jane Sanders, Director of Greek Life, feels that this change will be "great for freshmen looking to get involved in Greek Life early on in the year."

"I see no issue with it. It is, in fact, a good idea and allows for people who desire to be involved here to do so. Good leaders are created. They don't exist on their own," said Hawkins.

The chance to spend more time with the big brothers and sisters is a benefit of freshmen being able to pledge so early.

"I think it's a good idea," said Mordecai. "Instead of the girls crossing [during Spring semester], and then the Seniors having to leave, it's nice to have the girls cross in the Fall. Then we can have a full semester to spend with them."

With Greek Life events coming up, everyone has a chance to learn more about what it means to be in a sorority or fraternity.

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