Education Articles from College Matching Service

When you are entering a Sorority or Fraternity you need to become friends with the old members. The best way to get introduced and break the ice is to bring in gifts with you. A popular one among the gifts is a paddle. It is regarded as a symbol of entering into a Sorority or Fraternity. So, when you are entering into a Sorority or Fraternity, get a good paddle. Following are the tips that you need to follow while making a paddle.

a) Buying the right kind of paddle: When you are going to buy a paddle you would find that there are lots available in the market. Choose the right one from the various sizes and shapes that are available. General rule is smaller paddles are for girls and bigger paddles are for boys. Also if you want to spray paint it after buying do not go for a finished one. If you want to paint it with a brush then take both finished and unfinished would do.

b) Painting the paddle: Before you start painting keep in mind to buy the right color. However, the colors vary if you are spray painting the paddle. Before you start painting, put the paddle on a newspaper. This will ensure that you do not paint anything else that comes on your way. While you use the spray paint ensure that the spray is evenly spread. If you are not painting any part you cover it up with a duck tape.

c) Letters to be used: It is always better to use stick on letters over the paddles. These letters have adhesive on their backs and come in various shapes and sizes. Choose according to the size of the paddle. You can color these letters with paint markers. These markers come in various colors and therefore choose carefully so that it matches the color of your organization.

d) Personal message: Do not paint the back of the paddle. Instead you write your personal message at the back of the paddle.

These are the basic steps of making a paddle for gift.

Sorority and fraternity are the two divisions of the females and males in colleges and universities. The system of dividing genders originated in Greece. Although chambered, the houses act as a second family to the philandering college students. Since a lot of voluntary activities are done, one cannot stay away from them. This makes them more dutiful and develops their character.

The Greek system in Universities:

The long held social systems in Greek University Campuses are known as Sororities and Fraternities. This is therefore a system which has been devised by the Greeks; but gradually the system made its impact in different places.

Sororities for females and Fraternities for males:

Sororities are generally for females, and Fraternities generally for males – some “sororities” are actually “female fraternities” as defined by their charter. The difference is negligible today although in the past there were differences.

Rampant Sexism in Greek System:

In the Greek system, sexism is quite rampant. According to the report, unofficial attitude which fraternities take toward women is extremely misogynistic. This can be exemplified: as in some groups, people, especially males, pledges for “tagging” female guests; they are labeled either as off limits to other members. There are also some instances of institutional sexism.

Sorority: Titled as bawdy house:

There are many schools which have labeled the sorority houses as “bawdy house”. This is because in the sorority house, all the members are female and live under an ordered title much to the agony of the fraternity house.

Drug and Fraternity :

Although drug is banned in most of the sorority and fraternity houses, in some of the fraternity houses, the practice is till in vogue. Thus in some fraternity houses, taking drug and alcohol is a common practice.

Rush to get chance in Sorority/ Fraternity:

You need to rush in order to get a chance into sorority or fraternity. The next thing that you should do is pledge. After that you shall be finally accepted as a member of that group.

Legacy System in Sorority and Fraternity;

A legacy system is still in vogue in some sorority and fraternity houses. If you have your near relative, like father, mother, sister or brother in any of the houses, then you can get ready entry. This is despised by many members of the house, and they do not honor this system.

Sororities and Fraternities are elitist still:

At present, both the sororities and fraternities are elitist people. Since they gave a Greek foundation, they have a strong sense of snobbery and selectivity in them.

North America and Sorority, Fraternity:

In North America, the primary purpose of this division is development of character and imparting leadership ability. Thus it is employed for a social cause.

Enjoying the Greek life while in colleges is what most students do. But there are many who choose not to join fraternity or sorority for enjoying Greek life. This gives rise to a question: whether Greek life is suitable for you or not? This article tries to clear out the doubts and let you know whether you are fit for Greek life in college or not.

a) How many students are interested in Greek life? It is quite important to know that whether you are following the majority or is in the minority league. So first know the percentage of students who are interested in leading a Greek life.

b) Is the sense of belonging important to you? If you do a research you would find that many students join the sorority or fraternity because they want to belong to a community. If the same is important to you then go and attach yourself with a sorority or fraternity. Choosing the right sorority or fraternity is also important. It is same as getting a good friend.

c) Are you an outgoing person? If you are an outgoing person then joining a sorority or a fraternity is the right idea for you. In a sorority or a fraternity you come across lots of people and know about them.

d) Do you want to be a leader? If you have the ambition of being a leader then lead a Greek life to the fullest. Because sororities and fraternities give opportunity of leadership to the members. This is a great reward to the students from the college.

e) Can you afford to pay for the membership? This is the most important question. It is not easy to join in a Greek life even if you want to. If you have a tight budget it is almost impossible. So before you decide to enter a ‘Greek life’, know the fees of the organization.

f) Would you like the rush process? The rush process is a great way to know the new students as well as the older students. But remember in the rush process you would not only judge the organization, the organization would also judge you.

If your answer to most of these questions is ‘yes’ then you are fit to be a part of the sorority or fraternity in your college.

Being a part of a Sorority or Fraternity is a rare honor. Now after you have joined it is your duty to make your presence felt in the organization. For this you need to tread in very carefully. The tips which are mentioned below will help you to make your presence felt in these organizations.

a) Be proactive and direct: Remember in every Sorority and Fraternity you would find members who are much older than you. If you want to be equal to them then you need to know about the charter of the organization well. Even before you join the organization know what the needs of the organization are. Only when you have credible answers to all your questions then go and join the organization.

b) Know why you are taken in the organization: Ask those of you who have played a major role in selecting you; the reason of selecting you. They should be able to give you the correct reasons for taking you in. Once you know the reason use your asset for the benefit of the organization.

c) Create a rapport with all the members: When you are a part of the Sorority or Fraternity, then always try and create a rapport with all the other members. If you have a particular skill set try to be friendly with those members who have equal skill set. This will help you make friends in the organization in a large scale.

d) Show you are useful to the organization: Try to help the organization in every possible way. If you have good PR skills, then use them for making a PR committee. Otherwise if you know some good community service program let the organization know about it. In this way your caliber will also come into limelight and the organization will also be benefited.

Keep all these tips in mind and your presence will be definitely felt in a Sorority or Fraternity.

Greek life in every college is based on four ideals. These four ideals make the Greek life on the campus of every college a great opportunity of growth. The four ideals which are the pillars of Greek life are:

a) Leadership: This is one of the main features of Greek life. When you are the part of the Greek life in colleges you get the opportunity of participating within the chapter as officers or in any community of the chapter. They can also become involved in any of the student organization of the university outside the chapters. As a member of a Greek Life Community you can apply for a membership in the Order of Omega National Honor Society. This only takes in students who have excelled in academics and in the involvement in Greek Life Community.

b) Scholarship: This was at one point of time a major part of Greek life. This culture is still maintained in the Greek life followed in the colleges. However, each chapter has a different requirement set by the national organization for considering students for membership.

c) Philanthropy: All the sororities and fraternities believe strongly in the ideal of philanthropy. You would find all the sororities and fraternities believing in doing philanthropy both locally as well as regionally. Moreover the Greek community observes a Day of Service in the fall. During this day all the sororities and fraternities join hands in the charity programs.

d) Bond of siblings: Brotherhood and sisterhood is the core idea of the Greek life. This bonding last for a lifetime. Thus if you join a Greek Life community you would get the ‘feel’ of home away home. No matter whether you joined the organization by knowing just one person or many; once you are a part of the Greek Life community, you will have an experience of having brothers and sisters to cherish throughout your life.

These four ideals make the Greek Life communities noble organizations to participate when you are in college.

Though there are quite a few advantages of joining the Greek life, there are some disadvantages also. Before joining the Greek life keep in mind these disadvantages also. The disadvantages are:

a) Time commitment: The procedures like rushing and pledging are indeed time consuming ones. Therefore if you want to have good grades in the examination it is better not to get involved in ‘Greek life’. Moreover as an active member you are bound to take part in important social events and that will also hamper your studies.

b) Money matters: You have to shell out fairly large amount of money for getting associated with Greek life. The expenses not only include fees, dues and lodging rent but also expenses for social events and buying formal attire.

c) Negative image: In some colleges members of sororities and fraternities are not seen in good lights. Many professors even have negative ideas about following a Greek lifestyle in college.

d) Need lots of willpower and balance: As a member of sorority or fraternity lots of temptations would come into your way. Before joining a sorority or fraternity decide whether you have the willpower to enjoy within limit and given priority to education. If you think that you do not have the willpower then think twice before joining these organizations.

e) Isolation: Though these Greek organizations are great places for networking yet they give lesser opportunities to make friends on the campus. As a part of these organizations you have to attend various social activities all round the year. This will deter the normal friendship that you can have with the other students in the campus.

f) Academic awareness: Some Greek organizations take in members who have high GPAs and good academic achievements. However there are many which do not bother about the academic performance of the students. So before you join have a clear idea about the attitude of the community towards education. Also know about the reputation of the Greek community in the campus.

All these disadvantages have made these sororities and fraternities unpopular in the campuses.

Before you decide whether to choose a Greek life or not, here are some advantages that you should note. These advantages make it really great for being a part of the Greek life while in college. These advantages are:

a) Fun and activities: Do you want to have a social life that is full of fun? Then you are ideal for ‘Greek’ life. Join a sorority or fraternity and you would have lots of social events to enjoy.

b) Friends and communities: Greek life would help you have a great social life immediately. This is a social networking community and here you can meet and make friends easily. Moreover, since the membership is for life, therefore you would get friends to fall back upon throughout your life.

c) Lodging: It is not always easy to find a good house on the dormitory. But if you are a part of a community then you would find a house to stay in.

d) Networking for getting a job: This is the biggest advantage of a Greek life. Being a part of a fraternity or sorority will help you get a job within few years. The members of sorority and fraternity can be of great help in getting you a job.

e) Leadership opportunities: Did you always aspire to be a leader? If yes, then you should enroll in a sorority or a fraternity. They always provide you to be a leader either in a local chapter or in the college council.

f) Chances of dating: Being a part of a sorority or fraternity gives you a chance to mix with the other community. So if you are looking for a person to go for dating then, be a part of the ‘Greek life’ in your college.

All these advantages of Greek life indeed makes joining a sorority or fraternity the best idea when you are in college.