I’m going to be a freshman this fall and I’ve never really seen myself in a sorority, but I know Greek life is HUGE at UMich. A very large majority of the girls on the Facebook page say they’re rushing. I like to party and be social, but I just don’t know if Greek life is for me. Is it possible to have a good social life/go out often/make similar friends without rushing? Should I just rush and see if it’s for me first? Thanks!
I think Greek activity has been suspended at UMich. There are plenty of social life even without Greek.
http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2017/11/report_university_of_michigan_12.html
@billcsho - I think the suspension was for fraternities, not sororities, and it’s being lifted.
http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2018/01/university_of_michigan_fratern_6.html
I agree that there’s plenty of social activities without Greek though. For the original poster, it really comes down to your preference.
The ban was/is being lifted. I’m aware that there is social life without Greek, I just don’t if it’s with people who share the same interests as me.
https://www.michigandaily.com/section/campus-life/ifc-reinstate-social-activities-semester
The ban will not be immediately lifted completely but in a phased process.
You do not have to go Greek at Michigan. Do activities and join groups that interest you. You will quickly make a large university, small and meet plenty of people that have your shared interests. You will meet people in your dorm also. You will not be lacking for people to meet or things to do at Michigan.
There are plenty of social activities and parties at Michigan without going Greek.
Do some research on schools Greek life. I think the president is on record saying they better change or else. You could find yourself without a chapter after putting all the time in. Best to know as much as you can going in.
Social life exists very well outside of Greek Life. The only people who may have problems with traditional social life (parties, drinking, etc.) are freshmen males who are not in Greek Life who have no older siblings/good friends at Michigan.
The 80%+ of kids not involved in Greek life do socialize, most quite successfully. There are well over 1000 student groups, many in the traditional party area (dancing, music etc.)
@yikesyikesyikes Why do you say that?
@yikesyikesyikes I utterly disagree. The Greek scene at Michigan has never been dominant, and there is a vibrant social scene outside fraternities. The same is true for freshmen. And some dorms are renowned for their social life, i.e., East Quad. Indeed, what distinguishes UM is the strength of what could be called its “anti-Greek” culture and many active in fraternities complain about this attitude. The same goes for football. Even of home football weekends, the majority of the campus is busy doing other things. That’s one of the benefits of going to a large, diverse university.
I don’t think Greek Life would provide better mentoring than any clubs or residential programs. If you want trouble, there are plenty of ways too.
I don’t follow? You can’t truly party in a dorm at Michigan. It would get shut down pretty fast by a Resident Advisor or Housing Security (both of which do rounds throughout the night). Beyond some pre-gaming and some low-key drinking/chilling, there are no real parties in Michigan residence halls. Anything that gets too loud in a residence hall ends up being shut down, usually with participants written up, transported, or MIPed.
There is not an “anti-Greek” culture at U-M. What are you talking about? Mainstream Greek Life gets away with so much. Even though the majority of my friend circle is intimately involved with Greek Life (mainstream, multicultural, and professional), I am willing to admit that.
Don’t go Greek if you have even a kernel of doubt about it. First of all, 80% of students are NOT in fraternities or sororities. I’m am certain they all have friends… Second, it is a real time suck. My daughter is in a sorority. She has to attend chapter meetings every Sunday for several hours and has to attend required events. In the fall, she has to attend “rush practice” and then rush. It is EXTREMELY time-consuming, and she always tries to find ways to get out of it. Freshman-year rush is a humiliating experience and also time-consuming. Not to mention that sororities cost A LOT of money.
@yikesyikesyikes I stand by my comments. Most students live off-campus, so the issue with RAs is limited to freshmen/underclassmen for the most part.
Greeks may get away with a lot (whatever that means) but they also have a very hard time being recommended for honors, Fulbrights etc. I know that from experience. And you can have a party without getting trashed, if that is your definition of fun. Greek life exists on the periphery; Michigan is no Northwestern.
If you read my first post, you will see that I was referring specifically to freshmen males - almost all of who live on campus. I never said Greek Life parties are the only option for ALL students. I am not sure where you are trying to refute my statement, which I will repeat below:
“Social life exists very well outside of Greek Life. The only people who may have problems with traditional social life (parties, drinking, etc.) are freshmen males who are not in Greek Life who have no older siblings/good friends at Michigan.”
I was merely stating that freshman can have an excellent social life outside the Greek system. However, there is no point going back-and-forth on this especially since everyone seems to have tuned out this discussion (there being only 16 posts).