Q: Should I join a fraternity or sorority at Stevens?

Claire:

Recently, Stevens held an event called Meet the Greeks where students interested in joining Greek life got to meet and learn about the different fraternities and sororities on campus. While Greek life is exciting, and for some people, getting involved is a no-brainer, I know that a lot of people interested in Greek life might hesitate because of the time commitment and intensity of the rushing process. While I have never gone though the process of joining a fraternity or sorority, I know that many who do find it very rewarding. 

The first step is to go to as many rush events as possible and see what you like. Narrow your search down between the social, cultural, and service organizations based on what you are looking for, and then narrow down which specific groups you want to know better. If you are still worried about the commitment level, you could look into club alternatives. If you like the service frats, you might want to join some community service clubs like SAVE or Habitat for Humanity. If you like the social aspect of frats and sororities, maybe consider joining the Entertainment Committee. 

If you decide that you do want to join a Greek life organization, take your time to find the perfect fit, go to events, and meet the current members and even alumni. Do keep in mind that you can always wait. I know people that waited until their junior or even senior year to join and still had a full and fun experience. Good luck!

Ethan:

Man… don’t let me do your thinking for you, I can barely think for myself. I am an advice columnist, not a life coach. Giving out advice like this is above my pay grade, but I’ll do my best.

Joining Greek life is a huge commitment that you have to decide for yourself if you are interested in what it has to offer. Fraternities and sororities have a lot to offer in terms of friendships, connections, and activities, but are also a massive commitment of both time and effort that you have to be ready for. If you are unsure of what you want to do, I would recommend going to events and meeting people before making a definite decision. 

There are many different organizations with many different identities and personalities, so it is a good idea to keep your options open. Be yourself and go to different fraternities and sororities events to see which you like the most and hopefully they will also like you. I tried joining a sorority once and that didn’t go so well for me, so I hope that you have better luck than me. If you are a freshman, you will have a lot of time to make your decision because you aren’t technically able to join an organization until your second semester. So, this is probably the part of the advice where I am supposed to tell you to have fun and good luck!