Opinion: The Brighter Side of Greek Life
The Chi Omega team poses at Anchor Splash (Photo courtesy of Allie Charney)
By Miranda Zamora, Contributing Writer
I always used to tell myself that I would never join a sorority. It just never seemed like my kind of thing. I was worried about hazing and cliques, and was especially concerned about the price tag that comes with joining Greek life. So, I joined Alpha Phi Omega on campus as an alternative to joining a social Greek organization. It’s cheaper and focuses more on service to the community. But now, I find myself regretting that I did not go through the recruitment process this semester because I feel like I have missed out on a great opportunity to branch out socially.
“I think that this sense of community is what I admire most about Greek life.”
With the COVID-19 pandemic, my first year on campus was cut short. Not to mention that after this, I spent a year in mostly online and hybrid classes, as everyone else on campus did as well. As a result, I have had very few opportunities to meet new people and create new connections. I feel that I would have had a better chance to network and meet new people on campus if I had gone through recruitment. Many of my friends who are sophomores and juniors went through recruitment this fall and while the process itself seems daunting, I can’t help but wish that I was a sister in a sorority. All the girls that I know who are in sororities always give so much support to their sisters and to other members of the panhellenic community.
I think that this sense of community is what I admire most about Greek life. I say this because of what I saw from my brother Carter Zamora ’23 and his rush experience. Growing up with Carter, I always knew him as quiet and introverted. But I saw his personality change when he joined the Alpha Chi Rho – Eta Phi chapter on campus. He has become more social, taken more risks, and become more involved with different groups of people on campus. I have seen him grow and mature as a person through his Greek experience, but most importantly, he has found a group that he fits into and loves being a part of. Seeing his experience in Greek life has changed my views and made me wish that I had taken part in it.
I also participated in several of the philanthropy events held on campus by the different Greek organizations recently, such as Anchor Splash and the Antica Napoli 5K. I had so much fun doing these events and had the chance to meet more people throughout the weekend. I would even say that I have done more service through those organizations than in my own chapter of Alpha Phi Omega.
Of course, I do admit that Greek life has its issues, and we must not take these issues lightly. It is on those organizations as well as the administration to change and prevent these issues. But after seeing the experiences that my friends have had in their Greek organizations, I have been able to understand the sense of community and family that comes with joining Greek life.
This article originally appeared on page 11 of the November 1, 2021 edition of The Gettysburgian’s magazine.
