Kaitlyn Hart and Maquella Chacon
Life Editor and Staff Writer
What do you think of when you hear the words “Greek life?” Do you think of wild parties, secret initiations and hard-to-pronounce Greek words? Good news, you’re probably in the majority.
But you’re also missing some of the key aspects of Greek life that make it such a special and necessary part of many students lives — especially here at ISU.
Idaho State is home to a plethora of different Greek life organizations of all different shapes and sizes. ISU is home to social sororities, a social fraternity and a large number of professional and honorary societies/fraternities throughout the different departments. The university is even home to a co-ed fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega, in the theatre department.
“Alpha Psi Omega is key to our department,” says advisor for Alpha Psi Omega, Norman Schroder. “It’s a great way to get to know a group of brothers and sisters on a great level, and they’re people that you’ll stay in touch with all of your life.”
If you’ve ever watched a movie based on a college campus, you are likely aware of the stereotypes that are placed upon those who are apart of social sororities and fraternities: wild parties getting out of hand, scary hazing rituals and cliquey groups. At ISU, there is a zero-tolerance policy for hazing.
“There is absolutely no hazing,” said Tri Sigma member Kayla Gunning. “If a group is hazing, you’re done.”
Many Greek life organizations on campus believe that popular media are very off in their representations of social sororities.
“We are the complete opposite of Greek life fraternity movies,” Gunning said. “There’s not the partying, there’s not the constantly fighting over boys or fighting over stupid things.”
Most of the group members are against the conflict and drama that is often associated with the Greek stereotype, she said.
If you’re looking for a sorority that will help you make business connections to progress your future career while also allowing you to make new friends and live a fun and exciting college experience, don’t get discouraged.
“If you look anywhere, there’s going to be a party no matter what group it is,” Gunning said. “A lot of us hang out together and work at the same places.”
Loyalty and connection with fellow Greek life brothers and sisters is a very common theme throughout the Greek organizations on campus. Even across different organizations, it is important to keep a good relationship with those around you who share common interests in the ways of Greek life.
“The sororities and fraternities will hang out with each other because we know the time commitment that goes into it, and we can relate to them,” Gunning said.
Philanthropy and making connections that can help to aid members in the coming years with opportunities such as career progression are also huge reasons that some ISU students choose to join Greek life.
“We do networking events and we have our members meet people who could be potential future employers,” said Sterling Duggan, president of accounting fraternity Beta Alpha Psi. “It’s a good way to get to know your peers and get connected with professionals.”
Sororities and fraternities at ISU are moving to counter stereotypes about Greek life and are finding ways to provide more opportunities to their members in every division. With Greek support and participation existing at a lower level than other universities in the southern Idaho and northern Utah region, ISU Greek life is hopeful for more turnout in the years to come.
