<p>I posted this question on r/capstone but havent gotten very many responses.</p>
<p>People will, I’m sure, chime in now and state that there IS a very strong social life for non-Greeks, first of all, and secondly, it is whatever you make it. I don’t mean that in a trite way, just simply, there are groups and subgroups of every description at UA. There really is something for everyone, I truly believe that. There is SO much to do at UA, you/your student might have trouble picking - it is like being a kid in a candy store sometimes. And, you/student might need to try several different things to find what you are really interested in and the right ‘mix’.</p>
<p>Social life doesn’t just up and die because you are at UA and/or you are non-Greek! If students are social now in high school, there is every reason they will continue to be at UA. And, if students are a little on the introverted side in high school, this is a chance to start anew and find new interests and new friends. </p>
<p>The key is to get involved from the start - either attend AA or OA that first week while on campus, or join a club/band/ensemble/group/intramural during Week of Welcome. There are plenty of First Year Experience events to get involved with. There are also groups within each college/dept at UA, pertinent to studies, if you want to mix study w/ socialising. Some are formal (living communities, e.g.); some are more ‘drop-in’. </p>
<p>PM me if you want more info. My S is not Greek.</p>
<p>My S is not greek either, and he stays VERY busy! He is involved with two different churches, attends many sporting events on campus, is involved with Al’s Pals, and is CONSTANTLY getting together with different groups of friends to play board/card games, ultimate frisbee, etc… There are so many things that he wants to do, that he just can’t do them all! :)</p>
<p>brownzebra, I want to add that my S participated in AA and still hangs out with many of the friends he made that week… That week really helped him get off on the right foot at UA.</p>
<p>^^ Ditto for my D with Outdoor Action. She’s not Greek and from what I can gather her social life is A-OK.</p>
<p>Being Greek is just one way to “be” Social … it is not the be all and end of of “being” social. My D is VERY social and is not Greek. I understand the draws of being greek and was Greek myself. However, while some aspects of being social come for free when you become greek, it does not mean that one cannot find social fulfillment by choosing not to go Greek. My D is an Honors College Ambassador, VP of her religious exec board, an intern, CBHP, in Women for Technology and the Business School Professional Organization … and a very close knit group of friends that she’s met through these organizations and some from AA from the very first week of being at school! Frankly, I’m often quite amazed at how she’s keeping it all together and still actually going to class! DO NOT FRET, if you are not inclined to go Greek or are worried about it … if you put yourself out there and jump into everything that UA has to offer, you will have no shortage of social opportunities! Roll Tide!</p>
<p>What is r/capstone?</p>
<p>Sent from my DROID RAZR using CC</p>
<p>My greek daughter is taking a non-greek to her date party this weekend…that should tell you something. Oh my gosh, can it be true? Greeks and non-greeks mingle, gasp.</p>
<p>Neither of my kids pledged, however they both had/have active social lives at Bama. </p>
<p>I see from your other posts that you’re a male and will major in CS. Most students, especially males, in Eng’g and CS majors are not Greek. If you’re worried that you won’t have non-Greek classmates to pal around with, you don’t have to worry about that.</p>
<p>Vlines, r/capstone is a subforum on another, more generalized forum website.</p>
<p>Greek Life seems a lot more prevalent to those students who wanted to be in fraternities, rushed, and either didn’t get a bid or received a bid couldn’t afford the various dues and fees, even when payment plans are considered.</p>
<p>In general, my suggestion is to participate in activities you enjoy and find friends through those activities.</p>
<p>The supposed Greek/Independent divide does not exist unless individuals in each group perpetuate its existence. It is perfectly acceptable and extremely common to have friends in both groups.</p>
<p>My kid is not Greek (see earlier nerd threads), but has an active social life, and even snagged himself a girlfriend. They have been dating since late September. He is having a blast at college. </p>
<p>You get out what you put in. End of story.</p>
<p>My son is rushing soon. I think alot of the OOS don’t like Greek life but it is a big part of southern schools … It sounds like those that choose to be non Greek do just fine…I am sure that frat parties are open to anyone most nights except for formals…</p>
<p>^^^my daughter’s pledge class was 50% OOS.
“I think alot of the OOS don’t like Greek life but it is a big part of southern schools”
I’m sure others can/will weigh in but I’m not sure that’s a correct statement. Our family is OOS (non-southern) and we’re 3 for 3 greek.
The bottom line is this; BAMA is a campus of tens of thousands of students. There are social scenes of all sorts. If your student wants to have an active social scene, it shall be.</p>
<p>“I think alot of the OOS don’t like Greek life but it is a big part of southern schools”</p>
<p>this is my opinion only-just seems like most of the people on CC are from OOS and are not Greek…Just met with our rep about housing and she mentioned there will be changes in Greek Life next year. b/c ALabama does not want the publicity anymore…I am not on here that often-only when i have a ?- we are from Bham and son is not in Honors- but you all are a wealth of information and i really appreicate it…</p>
<p>Slippy, “snagged” a girlfriend? I must be in touch with my feminine side because that just doesn’t sound right, lol.</p>
<p>One third of the student body is greek. That means TWO-thirds are NOT.
Parties will happen, greek or not.</p>
<p>Rip, where slippy and I come from, snagging a girlfriend is a big deal. Most of our schools are not co-ed, and indeed, part of the appeal of Bama is the bevvy of beauties that adorn its campus.</p>
<p>Alas, my third year engineering major has not yet “snagged” a girlfriend, but he’s got one more year, and there’s still hope.</p>
<p>And, a number that do pledge only stay active during the first year. In the end, the cost can become an issue, or the student’s academic demands become too much. </p>
<p>In my opinion, the sororities are more academically focused, which is why I think it’s easier for a girl to be in a STEM major and be in a sorority (altho it still will be a challenge). I think it’s much harder to be in a STEM major while pledging a fraternity. There are a few fraternities that are academically focused (I think Momreads’ son is in one).</p>
<p>Montegut, I keep thinking I’ll open his facebook page and it will say he is “single” as opposed to “in a relationship.” I’ve been thinking this for a couple of months now, and still no change. Frankly I’m stunned. When he left the cozy confines of Carrollton and Banks, he didn’t know how to talk to a girl, much less date one. </p>
<p>Good for him.</p>
<p>My D and her boyfriend are both majoring in Chemical Engineering. She is a junior and Greek and he will graduate in May and is not Greek. She co-op’s with Dow Chemical and he works for a company doing research on campus. She recently told me that college is not long enough to do all things that she wants to do at UA. I don’t think anyone will have a problem finding some group or organization that interest them to be involved in.</p>