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Why I Joined a Sorority at the University of ��������?

Come fall, our social media feeds pages are filled with #OOTDs, choreographed sorority house tours, and in-depth POVs of what the Greek life rush process is like.��

It's not that intense at the University of �������� – trust me! Hi, my name is Malia Daft.Here's what I wish I had known before going through recruitment and ending up at my perfect chapter.

Alpha Chi Omega is a sorority under the�� (PHC), so my experience speaks mostly to what you can expect during that sorority recruitment process.��

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The Benefits of Joining Greek Life

Coming from out of state, I really wanted to put myself out there and meet people from all over. I had heard "you meet your best friends in a sorority" – as cliche as that sounds, it's so true. I met my absolute best friends in Alpha Chi Omega, and I would have never had that opportunity without joining��.

Joining a fraternity or sorority is about building lifelong relationships that extend beyond ordinary friendships. Bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood are formed within an organization and provide fraternity and sorority members with a home away from home, academic support, mentorship, career networking, opportunities to give back to the community, and a close group of support at a large university. Being a part of a fraternity or sorority exposes students to new ideas and experiences that they may not have encountered otherwise. The benefits of membership are extensive and they continue beyond graduation.

Throughout the year, all organizations – regardless of council – host social events with members and guests, study nights, complete community service, raise money for various philanthropic causes, have leadership development opportunities, and so much more. Members of fraternities and sororities have higher GPAs than non-members, higher retention and graduation rates, and they cite stronger university connections. They are involved in and leaders of clubs and organizations all over campus!

Many of the chapters at the university have a chapter facility. This is a house that some members live in and all members are able to access. It is a great place to meet other members of the chapter, study, have movie nights, and so much more. If you are interested in learning more about which chapters have facilities, you can��.

It’s important to know that a facility does not make an experience better or worse – it just makes it different. Chapters that don’t have facilities still have eventful and in-depth experiences and memberships.

While fraternities and sororities are popular at big schools like ours, you don't have to join one. I have many friends that are not a part of Greek life that I met in dorms, classes, and clubs. Personally, I love it. Being in Alpha Chi Omega gives me so many opportunities to help within the Tucson community and meet so many people from all over the country. I love our philanthropy events, sisterhood retreats, and even just hanging out at our house.��

Another pro is the scholarships to help with tuition or paying fraternity and sorority costs. Many are even only accessible to students involved in fraternity and sorority programs.

An extra academic perk: motivation to keep your GPA high. You have to maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA for most houses on campus, but it varies from chapter to chapter.��

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Breaking Down the Greek Life Stereotypes

We all know the common fraternity and sorority stereotypes. And while these stereotypes have been around for a while, they are anything but accurate. All fraternities and sororities participate in events and raise money for a common cause. There are events every semester where the community comes together to do fun activities such as car washes, kickball, or serving food to raise money. My favorite philanthropy event that my sorority puts on is our kickball tournament each fall. Seeing everyone come together and participate in a fun event that donates money to a good cause is so great.

The easiest way to break down the stereotypes about fraternities and sororities is to go through recruitment and meet members! Participating in recruitment does not mean you are required to join a chapter; you can remove yourself from the process at any time.

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What Do I Need to Know About the Rush Process?

“Rush Week” is the term many people use to describe the recruitment/joining process for a fraternity or sorority. In general, it’s often referring to an Interfraternity Council (IFC) or PHC joining process, but if you are interested in a cultural or identity based organization under the United Sorority and Fraternity Council (USFC) council, you can find details about their��. Students are able to participate in both the IFC or PHC primary recruitment and USFC week, but they are not able to hold membership in organizations in both councils.

All students who participate in the PHC recruitment process are assigned a Recruitment Counselor, or RC. This is a person who is a current member of a chapter and has taken a step away from her chapter to help students find their place in the Panhellenic community. Your RC will be able to answer all your recruitment and UA questions. RCs are assigned and reach out to you once the registration process is completed.

Going through recruitment can be draining. You may be tired and even a little confused, but after all the chaos, it is so worth it. Once you meet your RC, they will be able to give you tips and tricks to help you with the recruitment process. You will also have a Potential New Member (PNM) Orientation. This is a session where every single woman participating in the process gets together and learns what to expect, hears stories of current members' experiences, and learns about things like women’s empowerment. It is an exciting kick-off to the process!

Rush typically starts right before school starts and ends on Labor Day. The recruitment process begins with PNM Orientation on Sunday, Aug. 24. You will have two days to view informational and educational videos about each sorority in the community and then over the next two weeks there are in-person events where you get the chance to meet dozens of women within the community and learn about that chapter’s values, sisterhood, membership requirements, and the experience overall. Keep an open mind: During rush, you're exploring your options. Remember that it's less about if a chapter likes you and more important that you like them.��

After each set of recruitment, you will make selections of which chapters you feel the strongest connection with and are interested in learning more about. You will be given a schedule of events for each set. As you move through sets you will go back to fewer chapters but for longer times. (Don’t worry if it sounds confusing, after your PNM Orientation it will make sense! And you can always ask your RC questions.) Throughout the process, you are getting to know the chapter as a whole and you should be asking yourself, “Can I see myself here?”

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Sorority Rush Week Advice

• Register as soon as possible.

• Try not to stress.

•��Make friends along the way (it’s good to have friends in different chapters).

• Take it day by day.

• Trust the process.

• Remember: You always go where you're meant to be.

• Water (it is very hot walking between houses).

• Change of shoes – you don't want to walk in heels all day.

• Portable phone charger.

• Snacks.

As a recruiter, we are just as excited to meet you as you are to meet us. Rush is a long two weeks, but when you get to run home to your chapter house, it is all worth it to be with your sisters and create lifelong friendships.��

If you’re interested in receiving any Greek life recruitment updates at the University of ��������, be sure to follow the following Instagram accounts below.

• – Official account for Fraternity & Sorority Programs

•�� – Interfraternity Council (men’s fraternities)

• – Panhellenic Council (women’s sororities)

• – United Sorority & Fraternity Council (cultural and identity-based organizations)

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There are more than 50 chapters at the University of ��������, so you’re bound to find one that best fits you. To learn more about Greek life at the U of A and how to join, visit the��

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Apply to the University of ��������

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