Trend or Legend: is going Greek worth it?

How can you agree with the cost of disposing of your uniqueness and conforming to the trend of the blue Greek t-shirts, with the only perk being able to sit in the green chairs near the Culinary Wrap eatery, next to the frat guys?

Sorority leaders claim that "real women go Greek," and this past weekend numerous girls went and ranked their houses to determine whom they would become women with. The demanding schedule of "events" (i.e. 35 minute ‘consultations' at seven different houses) is a mandatory commitment. I attended the informational meeting on Sept. 9 and heard them stress attendance at functions.

"If you have class or work, try to get out of it," is what one of the presenters said when describing the agenda for rush weekend and the future.

I thought that conflicted with an earlier statement that a good grade point average is important. Shouldn't you be attending those classes? (I thought so.)

Stories were shared about the good times the girls have had and how they have become best friends. They are always there for each other, help one another, and genuinely care and give to charities. I believe this is true because they are paying for that outcome; of course they are going to achieve it. The fact of the matter is: you do not need to pay thousands of dollars (over the years) to meet friends and network for future careers.

Sororities do not present themselves in a classy manner for a positive message. Instead they strut around campus in pairs or groups wearing the same trendy fashion skirts, high heels, and instead of book bags, wear purses and think everyone might believe their t-shirts that they are ‘legends.' I find it hard to believe that so many girls compromise their lives with the sorority when there are plentiful ways to meet people, get involved with the school, and network through faculty and staff without the cost of extra expenses.

More than 35,000 students attend California State University, Long Beach; keep in mind the ratio of women to men, and the majority of students manage to resist the urge to rush. I asked students at random their view on sororities and a high percentage agreed with the thoughts in this article and elaborated new aspects and opinions that left me wondering: Why are there girls that rush?

After the meeting ended on Thursday night, I was able to talk to various girls and they explained what led them to rush. The answer seemed to unanimously be, "to meet new people." A freshman girl said, even though she lived in the dorms, they are not social enough. Many rushes agreed and explained the difficulty of meeting other girls, whether they lived on or off-campus. I just wonder if they want to be friends with these particular women. They only have a weekend to decide who will become their best friends for life.

I left that night a little perplexed and as I started to walk I realized that everything these girls were wanting, I had. Over the past two years, as an average student and a person who is not shy but not overly out-going, I have made incredible friendships, built relationships with teachers and I meet new people all the time.

I have never wanted to be a member of a sorority although I know some girls who are. The lifestyle does appeal to some and I discovered two things. Sororities invest a lot of their time and effort to organize fund-raisers for charities. Why don't they make that known? I also learned that sororities are a great net source in terms of internships. Did anyone else know that?

You see, sororities portray themselves in a pompous manner and maintain a negative image in the eyes of many. No one is going to really give credit to the women in sororities until they give credit to themselves and reshape the poor image that many believe sororities hold. Smart, well-rounded women belong to chapters but unfortunately their ability to stand out has drowned in the trend of the "Greeks."

Ginny Galvin is a third year print journalism at California State University, Long Beach.