To pledge or not to pledge

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Alabama
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<p>I haven’t read all the replies to this question, so if I repeat something that someone has already said, I’m sorry. </p>

<p>I am a current student at UA, and did not rush/pledge primarily because of the cost. 25-30% of undergrads are Greek, and honestly, I found it hard to make a ton of friends my first year. Bama is known for having a very controlling Greek system, and while I have a few friends who are in sororities and fraternities, as a group, they tend to “look down” on GDI’s. It’s kind of a confusing situation to try to explain, because individuals are most of the time very friendly, but once they get in a group setting, they stick together and GDI’s get left out. There’s also a lot of conflict between Greeks and GDI’s because of supposed favoritism shown to the Greeks by the University.</p>

<p>As far as partying goes, yes-the Greek system parties a lot, especially during rush/pledgeship. During the fall semester of my freshmen year, 2 of my suitemates were going Greek. They were out almost every night, and there were still parties on the nights that they stayed in. Alcohol is very accessible, in fact, a guy I’m friends with who is in a frat said that the reason that he joined in the first place was for underage drinking. Swaps and date parties (which are held during the week, if I’m not mistaken) are only for Greeks (but they can occasionally bring a GDI date.) The frat parties held on Friday and Saturday nights are usually a bit more inclusive. The houses usually have some sort of security working, and it’s known that girls can get in anywhere, but non-brothers have a difficult time getting into parties. Many say that they are going to rush that fraternity so they can get into the party. That doesn’t always work, though. At these parties, the beer is usually free and free-flowing, which is something I’m not sure all parents are aware of. </p>

<p>If the cost wasn’t an issue, I probably would have rushed. As a Greek friend put it, “it gives you immediate access to a group of people who consider you a friend, and you always have something to do.” </p>

<p>Also, if your child wants to be involved in the SGA in any manner, or even try to get homecoming queen, going Greek is a must.</p>

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<p>*Swaps and date parties (which are held during the week, if I’m not mistaken) are only for Greeks (but they can occasionally bring a GDI date.) *</p>

<p>Swaps are held on Thursdays (I think), and yes they are just for Greeks, because a sorority will have a swap with a particular frat (so obviously no GDIs, but also no Greeks from other sororities or frats.)</p>

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<p>I can’t speak for fraternities, but the cost for sororities is somewhat high the first year. There are several fees associated with pledging that are one-time fees. But after the first year, the cost for a sorority is quite low, and if you live in the house, you might very well find it cheaper than living in an apartment.</p>

<p>Inactive status: Most sororities do not have an inactive status. Fraternities do have that status.</p>

<p>University-owned Greek housing: there are a handful of houses on “New Fraternity Row” that are, indeed, owned by the university. I think about 5 or 6. It might also be noted that the university is lending several Greek groups money in order to update their houses (such as install sprinkler systems) and to help build new houses. The university is also supposed to be offering a little land for two new sorority houses.</p>

<p>Academics: Many of the Greek groups consistently post higher GPAs than all-men, all-women and all-student. Not all, but many do.</p>

<p>Do students need to belong to a Greek group to get involved on campus? No! But some use that excuse. Plenty of students participate in all kinds of activities. And students’ ingenuity at partying is not restricted to Greek letters!</p>

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<p>*Do students need to belong to a Greek group to get involved on campus? No! But some use that excuse. *</p>

<p>Very true… I had a neighbor who complained that her D didn’t make many friends when she was at Auburn because she wasn’t in a sorority. I had to bite my tongue because this SAME girl couldn’t make friends when she was in high school or grade school either. Some people are not good at making friends. It’s not because there are or there aren’t Greek systems on campus.</p>