“Why Would You Ever Pay For Your Friends?”

If I had a dime for every time someone asked me this (including my own father), they would be the ones “paying for my friends”, or as I like to call it, paying for my sorority dues. You may think that sorority/fraternity life is garbage, but I truly believe that unless you’ve joined a Greek organization you wouldn’t understand why we dedicate so much of our time and money to it. Of course, there are those people who have joined a chapter and decided it wasn’t for them. If that’s the case, then that’s definitely respectable but I don’t think anyone should completely rule out joining Greek life at FSU until you’ve considered the pros and cons of each side.

Pro: The Networking Connections You Make Are Priceless. 

Being a part of an international organization means there are literally hundreds of thousands of alumni worldwide, which is great when you have no clue how you’re going to get that dream job or how you’ll ever meet someone in your job field. I’ve had numerous job opportunities already, and have even landed an internship through the connections I’ve made in my chapter (Hello, Uloop!). Including on your résumé that you were a member of a specific organization is a golden ticket to getting your foot in the door with that elite company if your employer has a connection to that sorority or fraternity.

Con: Membership Isn’t Cheap. 

This is college, money is tight, and it isn’t exactly falling off of trees on Landis. Depending on which chapter you join at FSU, sorority dues can cost you anywhere from $1,100- $2,400 each semester. I know that when I joined, my parents and I initially thought the dues were solely just to be able to say you’re a part of that organization, but the money actually goes towards paying for much more than that. The chapter disperses the funds to meals, house fees, social events, and merchandise. Many chapters have optional payment plans and some even offer scholarships to make the financial commitment a little less overwhelming.

Pro: Offers You a Close Group of Friends At a Large University. 

Being a student at a university with 40,000 classmates can be terrifying for a barely 18 year old freshman leaving home for the first time. Greek life offers that “home away from home” experience. It gives you a close circle of friends to go to when you get a $250 parking ticket in the Woodward garage (yes, that happened) or if you’re sick of the blurry relationship with your on and off again “whatever-he-is.” Joining a chapter gives you a group of people that you know you can rely on not only when college life gets rough but also for years to come.

Con: The Stigma Attached With Being Apart of a Greek Organization.

“Sorority” or “Fraternity” often times have negative connotations that come along with them. Many people immediately think that if you’re in a sorority you’re a rich, dumb girl looking to get her MRS. degree and if you’re in a fraternity you’re a meat-head bro who is solely in college for nickel beer night and frat tanks. I’ve been subject to this assumption when telling a stranger that I’m in a sorority, and it’s really hurtful to have someone assume the worst about you after only knowing you for a mere ten minutes.

Pro: Keeps You Involved On Campus and in the Community. 

One aspect of Greek life that is often ignored is how much fundraising work is included. Typically, each chapter has a fall and spring philanthropy to raise money for charities of their choice. Members are also encouraged to participate in other chapter’s philanthropic events, which could easily give you something to do every weekend for the entire semester. Chapters also have socials and various events throughout the year to not only meet but to also build relationships with other students involved in the Greek community.

Con: It’s Easy to Forget That You’re at School To Get an Education. 

With Sunday Funday, Mandatory Make-out Monday, Two Dollar Tuesday, (I could go on, really) it’s easy to forget why you’re at Florida State in the first place. Greek life has a large showing at the bar scene and it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the social aspects of joining a chapter. Going to that 8 a.m. lecture suddenly seems like the most disgusting idea in the world and it’s not difficult for your GPA to quickly take a nose dive. Of course, this could also happen to any college student, Greek life member or not. Most chapters have a minimum required GPA to be in good standing with their organization and have mandated study hours each week. According to the FSU Greek life website, Greek organizations at Florida State consistently rank at or above the undergraduate grade point average. Chapters work hard to ensure that each member maintains good grades, but it doesn’t mean that slip ups don’t happen.

If you’re at all interested in joining a Greek organization, I always encourage people to go through recruitment to see how they feel about it themselves. It’s all about finding the right fit for YOU and where YOU are most comfortable. There’s a perfect chapter out there for everyone but you just have to be open to finding it.

http://greeklife.fsu.edu/