We looked at each other at one point and mouthed, we got this. When we arrived at the house, the smiling faces were gone. Fluorescent, flickering light revealed every imperfect pore, blemish, and split end. We were ushered to the back of the house. Because my roommate and I were coming from night class, we were late, and already felt uncomfortable although the sisters had previously insisted that making time for classes was fine.
One of the sisters then told us they were going to break up into groups to talk to each one of us. When I felt a tap on my shoulder, it was two of the girls I was with the night before. They asked me why I wanted to be a part of the sorority. I stumbled over my words at first, then gave the most honest answer I could.
I always watch out for them and I would do anything for them. I want to be in this because I think I could be that friend to you girls and I admire how close all of you are. I looked around. I barely knew the other girls rushing with me.
Plus, they all seemed perfectly nice. It wasn't my place to say a name. I could tell this was not the answer they were looking for me. I didn't know whether or not I ruined my opportunity. I was interviewed by two more sets of girls who also asked me who should not get into the sorority. I gave the same response each time. At the end of the night, exhausted with little energy for anything else, we were told to go back to the dorms and wait with our phones on loud with no social media.
It was a command, not a request. By p. My stomach dropped. She had been picked. We didn't get a text, a call, or anything. The movement to abolish Greek life at Vanderbilt gained traction in May because of a video that surfaced from spring break. A bunch of white Greek students were having a party and screaming the n-word. I was shocked because Vanderbilt knew about it but the frat and sorority chapters involved stayed on campus.
Girls who were in the popular cliques join sororities, and guys who were on the football team join frats. They have money, social capital, and influence, so it can be scary. I think abolishment is possible. Our mission has never been more vital than it is in this moment: to empower through understanding.
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By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. Greek life is losing members. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email. Courtesy of Will Gatling After I decided to leave my frat, they basically disowned me. Next Up In Identities. Delivered Fridays. Thanks for signing up! Check your inbox for a welcome email. Email required. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Notice and European users agree to the data transfer policy.
For more newsletters, check out our newsletters page. The Latest. The sorority life would not be sustainable if it did not have the financial backing required to keep the events, houses and other expenses afloat. It is no secret that it is a rich girl's game in order to make it in a sorority. Think about it: you need to have all that extra spare time and the cash to pay to make the friends that you make. If you are someone who is taking on 18 credits while having a part time job working your way through college, chances are that you have little time to devote to even yourself, let alone a sorority.
There is a specific kind of girl that lasts in such an organization. There are some crazy rules sorority girls have to follow when it comes to social media etiquette. Sororities want their girls to be pretty, proper and above all, acting like ladies at all times. This means that you need to watch what you say and watch what you post on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat.
Here are some of the basic rules that they have to follow: no PDA in photos of you and your man except maybe a kiss on the cheek , post photos that you would be ok with showing your mom, be wary of the hashtags that you use, no tagging brands in photos unless they pertain to the sorority , your duty is to like and comment on every one of your best friend's photos. The list goes on and on. Sororities make social media seem like a chore. Yes, this is a sexist double standard that is old-fashioned but still applies to anyone in a sorority.
Frat boys are afforded the freedom of keg-standing, high-fiving, girl-chasing nights of sheer hedonism while their female counterparts do not have the right to throw their own parties. In the movie, Neighbors 2 , Selena Gomez's character explains why sororities are not allowed to throw parties.
Something should be done to change this. Here is another BS double standard that applies to sororities but not to fraternities. Almost every sorority in the entire country is strictly forbidden from not only hosting parties but also even keeping alcohol in their houses.
The most shocking part about this is that two thirds of women in America believe that this rule shouldn't change, according to Huffington Post. This standard is just as old and outdated as sororities are. It was born in a more Victorian era, and has changed from tradition to policy over the years. It makes sense from a legal standpoint since many of the women who live in sorority houses are underage and this rule keeps them out of trouble.
Still, if sororities have to follow this rule, why shouldn't fraternities? Given the previous two rules before this one, this really comes as no surprise that alcohol is not to be consumed at any sorority event except maybe formals which are hosted by fraternities, but those don't technically count as sorority events. Sorority events involve networking among the chapter members and charity events. This is when the spotlight is directly on all members and they must act like respectable ladies at all times.
Alcohol consumption blurs your thought process and impairs your judgement and therefore more likely to say and do something stupid. While this rule makes for the best and proper behavior among members, let us reiterate that those rules do not apply to fraternities.
If underage girls are discouraged to drink than underage boys should be too. September is the month where many sororities celebrate "Purity Month" as a means to get closer to each other and form bonds with their fellow sisters.
While many other college freshmen indulge in the hedonism of partying, hooking up and excessive drinking, sorority girls are focused on embracing the rule of "no bars, no booze and no boys. Yet again, these are a set of restrictions that apply to Greek women but not Greek men. They sacrifice a part of their freedom in the name of purity and they are expected to uphold while their male counterparts are doing keg stands and waking up hungover the next morning.
Just another rule to follow if you want to be part of the quote, unquote "sisterhood. Unlike the living situations of many college dorms and apartments, slobs and girls who don't clean up after themselves are seriously frowned upon when it comes to being in a sorority. You are viewed as someone who isn't respecting the living communal space of herself and others around her if you are someone who has a hard time staying on top of chores. Luckily, the sorority girls usually work out a system of who does what at which designated time so that no one gets stuck with all of the responsibilities.
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