The Hollywood Myth {MythBusters}

When you hear the word "sorority" what do you think? Most would probably think about something they saw off of a movie, right? Where the girls are fighting for that top position in their sorority and on campus, and they are probably ditzy and self-centered. 

Erase those memories right now. Many common misconceptions about Greek life come from Hollywood. Many movies and TV shows depict sorority life in a negative manner. They show the members of one sorority hating girls just because they are in different sororities, partying with fraternity boys, and being unaccepting to girls based off looks. After being in a sorority I have learned that these aren’t true. 

While there is healthy competition between sororities in intramurals, Step Sing, Step Show, etc. I would never hate another girl because they are in a different sorority. There is no rule that says you can't be friends with girls in other sororities. A few of my best friends are even in different sororities than I am. We have grown close and appreciate our friendship regardless of what sorority we are in. So when you go through recruitment I know it's tempting to want to go where your best friend wants to go, but you need to make that choice for you. And while sometimes girls go to the fraternity houses that is not all we do. We do lots of other things on weekends with our sisters too. We hang out on our sorority floor or go to the movies. However, our night doesn’t end in pillow fights like most movies. 

Movies like The House Bunny show girls having to change their appearance for a sorority. I think this more than all the others is the furthest from the truth. Girls are not judged based on appearance but based on personality, friendship, and loyalty to one another. 

The girls joining our sororities are girls that we will be friends with for the rest of our lives. Many of these movies depict sorority girls as the dumb, self righteous women with lots of money, but Hollywood has it all wrong. The truth is that girls in sororities are actually some of the most down to earth, caring people in the world. The money part isn’t true either. I personally pay for my sorority by myself by working a summer job. It’s not about the clothes I wear or the money I spend, but the people I make lasting friendships and share my memories with.

Written by Emily Manush; Edited by UNA Panhellenic

You Pay for Your Friends {MythBusters}

As a recruitment counselor, I frequently hear young women using the excuse, “I don’t want to pay for my friends,” as justification for deciding not to go through sorority recruitment. Although this is a valid statement for individuals who are unaware of what a sorority stands for, I am writing this to reassure all you readers that this statement, is in fact, false.

I get it, as soon as you pledge a sorority you are required to pay initiation fees, membership dues, and other various social payments, but just like any other club you find yourself joining on campus there are financial obligations that are involved in making these organizations successful. A sorority is probably a lot bigger than what you have in mind. Each sorority has a national executive office (A.K.A. headquarters).

 Membership dues allow for the chapter to carry out various functions such as…PHILANTHROPY EVENTS! 26 various sororities alone raised over $5,000,000 in philanthropy money (membership dues look pretty small now, right?). One part of being in a sorority is learning to serve others, and in order for us to serve others effectively there must be funds available. That being said, although there are those required dues, many of the charges you might receive are simply voluntary. It is not a requirement, but merely a choice, to buy every t-shirt that is designed or to attend every single date party/formal that is planned.  

We also need to keep in mind that sororities also provide opportunities for its members! Many sororities provide opportunities for those members who demonstrate academic success and thrive in leadership abilities to be rewarded scholarships because they truly enjoy helping you succeed. So along with holding you accountable for your grades and providing leadership opportunities, your chapter also has the potential to contribute to YOU financially.

During my time as being a Gamma Chi recruitment counselor, one thing I constantly remind girls going through recruitment, happens to be my favorite and the most relevant statement I have heard since I have been a sorority member, and that is, “YOU GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN!” (and I’m not talking about the money). Just because you pay your monthly dues does not mean you automatically have friends. How silly would it be for you to assume that when we pay our bills we are suddenly going to have best friends blowing your phone up to hang out? Yes, when you are a member of a sorority you do have tons of sisters, but sisterhood is different than friendship. When you join a specific sisterhood you are only promised to have ONE thing in common with all of the other members…. Your promise to uphold and live out the values of your chapter. It is important to remember that as members of a sorority we are still human beings and work to build those relationships with each other. 

After I’ve said all that, I’ll go on to say, the experiences, life lessons, knowledge, and relationships I’ve acquired during my time in my chapter are PRICELESS and if I’m going to be stereotyped for paying for my friends I certainly have not paid enough.

Written by Guest Writer, Mary Ware; Edited by UNA Panhellenic