Frats and Sororities

Colleges and Universities A-Z Rhodes College
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<p>I'm a senior looking at Rhodes and I think during the tour or info session they said that 50% of Rhodes students are involved in Greek life. Of course, they also said that the independents are also happy and included, etc., but what does that really mean? Are the frats and sororities at Rhodes really intense or are they more laid back?</p>

<p>Could someone maybe give me some info on each of the frats and sororities (specifically sororities, but frats are important too so I know what I'm really getting into)? Are some more "socially acceptable" than others? Would people rank them?</p>

<p>I don't want to join a sorority if they're all really fake and exclusive, I want to be able to be myself, but at the same time I don't want to be an independent with no friends. Are there different personalities for the different frats and sororities?</p>

<p>One last thing that is kind of important: what are the parties like? How often? Who hosts them? Is there a lot of pressure to drink? Does everyone drink but not at an excess?</p>

<p>ANOTHER last thing: is there hazing? Does it depend on what frat or sorority you're looking at? Examples?</p>

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<p>I think you are asking really good questions. D is aplying this year and we have some concerns about the greek system, too. Sorry I can't give you any answers!</p>

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<p>Since no one else has posted a reply I’ll take a stab at it, although my info comes second-hand through my freshman son. </p>

<p>He is independent and does not drink. During his college search he was opposed to any schools with a strong Greek presence. He did a couple overnights at Rhodes and was satisfied that even though there are a fair number of Greeks, they don’t dominate the social scene. (I think that may in large part be due to the absence of Greek housing.) </p>

<p>He is happy at Rhodes and has made good, close friends. Over winter break, which just ended yesterday, I specifically asked him about the Greek/drinking scene. He told me that certainly Rhodes has its fair share of kids that drink and party, as just about ANY school does, but he has felt no pressure to do so and has had no trouble finding plenty of kids to socialize with that are neither Greek nor heavy drinkers. So bbq0913, I would say you don’t need to worry about being “an independent with no friends.” Right off the bat my son made friends through a club sport that he participates in. There are opportunities on campus to get involved and make friends, besides frats and sororities.</p>

<p>Hope this helps. Feel free to PM me if you would like. I’ll be happy to share any insights I have.</p>

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<p>Ya did good, parent100. Glad your son is liking Rhodes. ;)</p>

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<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>I'm a part of the greek community at Rhodes (tridelta) and I have really enjoyed the experience as a whole. Greeks at Rhodes are really laid back and welcoming to lots of different types of people. Students at Rhodes typically spend a great deal of their time involved in their frat/sorority and its a great way to meet new friends quickly. I would definitely recommend that everyone who is even a little bit interested in greek life go through rush. Although technically all events are "open" to the campus as a whole, many greek parties are closed to members and their dates. Many students drink and party at Rhodes, as they do at nearly every school, but you can choose your group of friends to match your own personal preferences and beliefs--Rhodes has a truly diverse student body in terms of student values and activites. I would be happy to answer any more specific questions you may have as well! </p>

<p>As for a brief and somewhat stereotyped profile of the greek houses:</p>

<p>For frats we have:
Kappa Alpha (KA)
Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE)
Pike
Kappa Sigma
Alpha Tau Omega (ATO)
Sigma Nu</p>

<p>These houses all attract different types of guys, depending on the pledge class--they are constantly changing. KA is known for their Old South party where girls dress up in hoop skirts, SAE is known for recruiting athletes, and Pike has a great Halloween and Beach party each year. The rest of the houses are also diverse and are known for many different things.</p>

<p>For sororities there are:
Delta Delta Delta (tridelta)
Chi Omega (Chi O)
Kappa Delta (KD)
Alpha Omicron Pi (AOPi)</p>

<p>I'm personally biased towards tridelt because I am one, but all of the sororities at Rhodes have different strengths and weakness and attrack different people depending on the year. You really can't go wrong.</p>

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<p>-- My son is a freshman. Despite his stated commitment prior to matriculation, to honor our request he not rush during his first semester, he did anyway and became a Kappa Alpha. One of his two roommates did the same. The other roommate did not join a fratenity. </p>

<p>Everyone is welcome at most (if not, all) parties. I do not at all get any sense of exclusiveness. I specifically asked my son about this while he was rushing, and from his accounts it was clear that whether you are independent or not didn't matter to your status, or your access to most social functions.</p>

<p>On the other hand, there clearly are social advantages (at any campus) of belonging to a greek: you belong to a community of peers who are more than friends, in some ways they are closer to brothers or sisters. You're tapped into a network of contacts in which others have a interest in helping you along (re: jobs and other opportunities). You also are held to an academic standard and the house will support you (cajole, yell, etc.) in achieving that standard. And, there are service standards and opportunities that force you to get out and do things to help the world.</p>

<p>I'm not really a fan of the greek system, having tried and rejected it when I was in college (I even joined one) but my attitude has changed based upon my son's experience. In some ways, I'm glad he has joined, but don't tell him that.</p>

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<p>My understanding of the social scene at Rhodes is that many of the parties are affiliated in some way with either a greek house or a dorm. And there are many parties. </p>

<p>As an aside, I also understand that when they happen during the week, parties typically start late, so everyone has a chance to get their homework done. That, right there, conveys more information then might appear. Think about it.</p>

<p>There is drinking, but no more than I have heard about at any other campus. There does not seem to be a "pressure" to drink, but it definitely is a part of the scene. The campus is heavily patrolled by Campus Security, and they keep a close watch on the parties. (Many parties are at on-campus dorms or greek houses). My understanding is that, if you are stumbling around, you WILL be accosted and appropriately "helped" by Security.</p>

<p>You have to understand that Rhodes is small, and many people live on campus. So the administration is able to exert some influence on the way students conduct themselves, both by their messaging and in how they deploy Security. As well, my sense is that Rhodes students, by and large, are a bright and ambitious bunch. And reasonably mature judging by those I've met. I'm sure there are problem drinkers there - there have to be - but I have neither seen nor heard of them, personally.</p>

<p>With respect to frat drinking, my son's fraternity has a strong commitment to maintaining an environment that does not pressure people into drinking (he says), and being responsible about it. This answers the hazing question below, as well: during one initiation event, pledges were forced to chug a quart (or maybe a gallon - can't remember) of chocolate milk. Yep, that's disgusting, but at least it wasn't beer.</p>

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<p>--- see above. The hazing seems to take the form of good-humored fun and practical jokes, from what I've been able to pick up.</p>

<p>Hope this helps. Good luck!</p>