New Member Spotlight: Vivian Walker

Note from the interviewer:

I had such a great time interviewing Vivian in one of our amazing coffee shops downtown. Her warm and genuine personality really shines through when talking to her. She is someone to get to know when you see her around campus. 

Where are you from?

Macon, Georgia

Why did you choose to go to UNA?

My mom’s sorority sister told us about UNA when we ran into her in Auburn and she told us about the scholarship for people that are from out of state so that’s what really clenched it for us.

Why did you do recruitment?

My step mom was in a sorority and told me about it and I started seeing how her connections have stayed all of these years and how genuine they are. Then one particular sorority stuck out to me during welcome week and they were the ones that broke the stereotypical sorority girl for me.

What was your view of sororities before recruitment compared to now?

I honestly lived under a rock. Growing up you hear these stereotypes and believe them unfairly. Now, I realize it is a bunch of girls who take you are you are and help one another.

What did you think when you opened your bid?

Going in I really wanted the group I met during welcome week that broke the mold for me, but my roommate and the people I knew wanted somewhere else so it made me torn. On bid day when we all tore apart our bids I was so excited I got where I wanted and they all got where they wanted… but we weren't together. For a few minutes I was bummed because we were in different sororities but then I met my pledge class and I only got more excited to run home.

What is your definition of “sorority”?

Sorority is learning to accept and love one another for our flaws and learning how to work together. I mean no two sororities are exactly the same so it is nice learning to work together.

What were you most excited about by being a new member in your sorority before recruitment and what are you now looking forward to when you become an initiated member?

I didn’t know what to expect in a sorority coming in. I was looking forward to making that lasting bond. In the future I have high hopes to build my chapter to be the best it can be. I love my chapter and I only want to make it better.

All Greeks Do is Party {MythBusters}

One of the most common myths associated with Greek life is that all they do party. So often, people look past what all Greek life actually does and offers for those involved. On a college campus, joining a sorority offers unparalleled opportunities for members to engage in all kinds of activities, including themed parties, theatrical productions, fundraisers, Homecoming Week, and so much more. Many students who decide to go Greek have a stronger presence on campus, participate in more leadership opportunities, and build a deeper commitment to public service than their classmates.

All partying and no intelligence is a common stereotype associated with Greek life. One thing to keep in mind is how sororities focus on academic success. Functions like mixers, date parties, and formals are not parties that are required or forced upon members, but are awarded to those who demonstrate good academic standing. All sororities have a GPA requirement, and plenty of opportunities to help each member achieve this goal. The Greek community offers study groups and tutoring times as a whole, as well as each individual chapter hosts study hours to assist members in their academic achievement. In fact, sorority members generally have higher grades and better retention rates.

85% of Fortune 500 executives were part of Greek life. The first female astronaut was Greek, so was the first female senator, and college graduation rates are 20% higher among Greeks than non-Greeks. WOW!! Some of the most intelligent and successful people are Greek. Not to mention there is a higher percentage of Greek than non Greek residing in our Student Government Association today!

Being involved in a sorority for 3 years now I have seen just how much Greek functions can benefit the campus and community. I realize from an outsider looking in it seems as if these parties are only hosted for entertainment and fun, but they offer so much more. A lot parties hosted by Greek life are to benefit a philanthropy.  According to the most recent 2013-2014 National Panhellenic Council annual report, sorority women from across the nation raised over $5.7 million for philanthropies and reported nearly 1 million hours of community service in the last academic year alone.

The year I was social chair I got the opportunity to plan and coordinate all events that were hosted by my sorority. This job taught me hard work, organization skills, and most importantly safety precautions. The common misconception is that Greeks not only party, but these parties are destructive and dangerous environments. On the contrary, social events hosted by greek life have been found to be safer than parties off campus. The University is very involved with these functions to ensure the safest environment possible for those in attendance. There is a ton of behind the scenes work that goes into these parties such as, presenting an agenda to the university, allocating a team of risk management within the sorority, and hiring university police to safeguard the party. 

I love being Greek!! Personally, my favorite part of Greek life is the people I've met through it and through the functions and parties Greek life hosts. I never would have met or talked to so many girls in my chapter had I not joined or been involved in my sorority. I've grown so much as a person already through this amazing opportunity and I wouldn't change my decision for the world. 

Going Greek is not just good is GREAT! When you get down to the bottom of it, being Greek is something amazing and everyone should be able to say they are proud of their letters. I try to encourage everyone I know to try out Greek life, go Greek!

Written by Guest Writer, Whitney Rivers; Edited by UNA Panhellenic 

Sorority Is...A Legacy

Leaving a place better than you found it is the opportunity of a lifetime, and being in a sorority has given me that amazing opportunity.

Like many others, I was hesitant about joining a sorority. I signed up for formal recruitment unsure of  what I was getting myself into. But, I soon came to find out that going through formal recruitment would be one of the best learning experiences I had ever had. I got to meet a diverse group of women in every chapter. I was able to learn what values they live by. They told me how much they loved their sisterhood, what their organization's national philanthropy was, and how much they loved being involved. It was breathtaking, because I would soon start my legacy in one of these wonderful chapters. Each one supported a great philanthropy and each one had a sisterhood that was complex and incredible. Finally, when it was time to run to my new home on bid day, I was scared. It was overwhelming that I would soon be meeting the women who would become my best friends.

My sorority has opened so many doors for me; it has given me opportunities I never thought I would have. As a freshman and a new member, I looked up to the women who were officers in the chapter and hoped to one day follow in their footsteps. Now, as a junior, being an officer has made a difference not only in my life, but also in the lives of 90 other women. I've had a myriad of opportunities to go to conventions and conferences to better myself as an officer, as a leader, and as a woman. I found that by being involved in my chapter I have already gotten so much out of it. Someone once told me, "you get out of it what you put into it." I carry that advice with me no matter what I am doing. To get the most out of your college experience, it's important to try and make a difference. 

People ask, "Why join a sorority?" I say, because these women are my shoulder to cry on. These women are my support system when things go wrong. These women are my future bridesmaids. They're my 3 A.M. laughs, and they're my best friends. These women are my source of truth. My sisters are the people I go to when anything of consequence happens in my life. My sisters are the people I'm making memories with - memories that will last a lifetime, and that is where my legacy begins.

Post Written by Guest Blogger, Samantha Kolesar; Edited by UNA Panhellenic