<p>I’m just curious…I’ve been told that sororities make you do crazy stuff to be a member and all these other things, but what is the real deal with sororities and Greek life? Do they do community service?</p>
<p>It depends on the college and the sorority . . . ask about it at the colleges you are interested in.</p>
<p>anisha, community service is <em>the</em> main goal and purpose of the traditional (NPHC) African-American sororities (and AA fraternities, for that matter). As a matter of fact, prospective members must be able to show their participation in (and thus committment to) community service activities before they can even pledge. I can’t speak for the other sororities, though.</p>
<p>Read “Pledged”. It’s pretty close for many traditionally Greek schools.</p>
<p>gymeni, are u saying that we have to show that weve done community service before we pledge? i know the ealiest you can pledge is second semester freshman year, but does that mean that we have to spend first semester doing community service? will they take community service from high school?? and is it only AA greeks?</p>
<p>Define what youve heard as “crazy” are we talking about things that would put your life or the lives of others in danger? Well that is called hazing and on most college campuses it is illegal to haze. You hear stories all the time about girls or guys dying or being seriously or permantly injured by the quote “harmless fun” of hazing. Besides you shouldnt do anything the compromises your values, beliefs, or whatever to belong to a group. As far as comm. service is concered, alot of Greek Organizations do do comm. service. Some of it is worth while and some of its not. You should really think about the whole process before you decide anything. A sorority may not be for you or you may not like the way alot of Greek Organizations are run which is the the reason Ive never joined but thats just me. Find out what the “real deal” is your self. Ask these sororities what they really do to live up to the standards of their organization. Is it an NPHC or a Panhellinic sorority? Is it a social or service sorority? This makes a difference because sororities under each of these councils are not “run” the same. </p>
<p>But the point of it is that you should decide based on the information you gather if “Greek Life” is right for you. Make it something that you want and not something you do because every one seems to join a frat or sorority in college.</p>
<p>D attends a traditionally greek school, is in a sorority(not mine) and the book Pledged is not representative of her experience there, nor is it remotely representative of my experience as a member of a Nationally traditionally african american sorority (which I am still active in more than 20 years after graduating). </p>
<p>My best friend is one of my friends from college who was an independent and her being an independent did not hamper our firendship. On most campuses with the exception of a few events, many events are open to the general public so even at a school with a heavy greek presence there is still a lot to do even if you decide not to pledge.</p>
<p>In addition the greek system varies from school to school so what one the reputation of an organization at one school can and most likely will be totally different from the experience of members in the same organization at another campus.</p>
<p>Many NPHC groups have their rush pledge system on a different cycle from the traditional rush/plege week and their process is different. Yes, there is an lot of emphasis on community service because we do a lot of giving back to the communities where we go to school, work and live. My local alumni membership gives thousands of dollars in scholarship money to students each year, we mentor, network, set up internship opportunities, organize college tours and coach and counsel students on the admissions and financial aid process. </p>
<p>Is greek life for everyone? No but that is for you to decide.</p>
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<p>Yes, this is the case with AA greeks, for sure. A lot of girls who are interested in AA sororities know this beforehand (as well they should) and usually develop an interest in sororities well before they hit a college campus. You’d be surprised at the number of girls who have performed community service throughout their high school years. These same young ladies generally continue to be involved in some kind of service effort as they enter college. That is what distinguishes the girl who really has a community focus in her heart versus the girl who just wants to “wear the T-shirt” of an organization. With the AA organizations, you are pledging a lifelong committment to your fraternity or sorority and to service. It doesn’t end when you graduate.</p>
<p>Co-sign what gymeni said in respect to the NPC sororities as well. You are only an active for the 4 years you’re in school, so alumnae associations are in place all over the country to meet alumnae sisters who graduated from all different chapters. </p>
<p>Pledged is not very accurate. My chapter never had girls remotely fitting that description, nor did my biological sister who pledged the same sorority at a big state school. Some of my hs sr’s friends are in college and going Greek. None of them have had that experience as depicted even the ones attending the Southern schools.</p>
<p>There’s no such thing as doing “crazy” stuff because that’s just hazing by NPC standards. If a girl asks you to wear pink shoes throughout your pledge period, that’s hazing. If she asks you to wear something for a day, maybe that’s not hazing. But to be hazed means to be tortured psychologically and doing things you’re truly not comfortable with. Any sorority that forces their pledged members to do activities that are outside of their own and NPC standards is bad news.</p>
<p>The more the administration is involved with Greek life, the less likely you will face forced activities and hazing. If it’s more underground like at Princeton and Georgetown, you might run into some trouble because there is no control.</p>
<p>This is no required community service- only the desire to make the world a better place. Don’t worry!</p>
<p>Definitely depends on the sorority. I’ve heard a broad range of stuff.</p>