In chapter one of A Greek Love Affair, I dispelled many myths about becoming a sorority woman. Hopefully a few of you changed your mind about this life choice or are at least a little bit more intrigued. Now that you know we don’t stuff you into coffins, let’s talk about the fun stuff: Recruitment and Rush. You’re going to hear both of these terms thrown around a lot when it’s getting close to recruitment. They are practically the same thing.

Depending on what school you go to, there could be anywhere from two to twenty-six various sororities on campus. All sororities are governed by a body called Panhellenic Council. The amount of chapters that are at your school will also help determine how long the Rush process is going to last. For instance, at my school we have seven Panhellenic Chapters. Our Rush process is four days long. I have also met women from other campuses that have over fifteen chapters. Their Rush process lasts a week an a half.

The first portion of Rush regardless of how many days it lasts will be a very informal meet and greet. You will be going to each house for anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour to meet women in that chapter. The second portion, or second day, will likely be house tours. The final portion of Rush is Preference. You will be with one woman from the final houses that are going to ask you to join their chapter. Panhellenic Council will guide you along this little adventure as well as give you directions, tips and specific attire. Rush is very unique to each campus because of the diversity of chapters. 

Rush is a hectic yet rewarding experience. We prepare for months so that you can have the best experience possible when meeting a chapter. There’s lots of singing, dancing, smiling and conversation. If you feel overwhelmed (which I did) that’s perfectly okay. With each house or woman you meet, it will begin to feel more comfortable. 

The single, greatest piece of advice I can give you for Rush is to go into it with an open mind. You’re going to hear stereotypes, stories and many people’s opinions of each house. Don’t listen to them. Go with your gut. Pick a house because they accept you for who you are, they have the same values as you, or they simply bring out the best in you.

Next time on A Greek Love Affair: Dressing The Part

By Marysa Miller | Photo: nuintel.net

Whether you are an incoming freshman or a transfer junior this series will guide you in the right direction toward an exciting chapter in your life. When I was beginning my college career, I knew I was going to join a Sorority. However a lot of women are not as sure about it as I was. Myths and concerns about sorority life often hold back women from joining. To start off the series let’s clear up some rumors about being in a Sorority.

“If I join a Sorority, I will be paying for my friends.” – When I hear other women say this it makes me cringe. Did you know that most clubs and organizations on campus have dues or membership fees? When joining a sorority, anything you pay toward the organization will be budgeted and dispersed back into the chapter locally or nationally. This means the money is used to put on events, give out rewards and donate to philanthropies. Trust me when I say that your money will not be going into a black hole. You will still develop life long friendships with the women in your chapter.

“I refuse to be hazed." – Even for someone who always wanted to join a sorority, hazing was one issue that would have stopped me from becoming part of the Greek Community. I was scared out of my mind that I was going to be stuffed into a coffin or something crazy like that. If you are worried about being hazed, don’t be. If anyone tries to make you do something that makes you feel uncomfortable or embarrassed, stand up for yourself. Joining a sorority is a life-long sisterhood with women who have similar morals and values as you do. For more information on individual state laws regarding hazing, check out http://www.stophazing.org.

“All you do is drink and party.” – I am once again cringing at the thought of this. The portrayal of sorority women in movies and television is completely distorted. Yes, you are going to college. There are going to be parties in college. Does that mean you have to go to them? No. Not only are you going to be part of a social organization, but academic as well. Every sorority has GPA requirements that must be met. Typically there are study hours located at the chapter house or campus library each week. Another thing to remember is that you are joining an organization that will likely have between fifty and one hundred and twenty members. You can’t expect all eighty women to have the exact same interests. Once you join a sorority, you will find women within the chapter who have the same hobbies and interests as you. Some of your sisters might like to party and others might like to stay in and have movie nights. In time you will find your niche. 

“My parents/boyfriend don’t want me to be in a Sorority.” – I was always fortunate to have parents who supported my decision to join a sorority. They encouraged me to take on leadership roles, live in the chapter house and get the most out of the experience that they never had. Find out about specific events that you can bring your family to throughout the year. For example, my chapter has a mother-daughter tea each spring and a parents BBQ in the fall. We also have an open house celebration after our initiation ceremony each semester. If your boyfriend is worried about you joining a sorority, let him know that he shouldn’t be. You will be able to bring him along to formals, date parties and other functions hosted by the organization. He can come to any philanthropy event that your chapter hosts. Talk to someone from each individual chapter to find out the events that other members bring their boyfriends to. I can guarantee you that other women who are in the chapter will have dealt with the same issue. 

“I’m not going to have time.” – One of the greatest things I have learned from being a Sorority woman was time management. My planner is with me at all times and I would be lost without it. Your first semester in sorority will be a challenge.  ou are going to be expected to start going to weekly meetings and events on top of continuing to attend class, making time to study and of course have some sort of social life. I am here to tell you that it is possible though. My one piece of advice is to have your priorities straight before you decide to join a sorority. If going to parties is at the top of your list, remember that you are in college for your education first and foremost. Know your priorities and find a chapter that has the same. Together, you will find fun and success that will last for your entire college career!

Next Time in A Greek Love Affair: The Two R’s, Recruitment and Rush
By Marysa Miller | Photo: dojiggy.com

Intern of the Month

Meet Jenna Frye! She is a 23-year-old Central Michigan University graduate with an undergraduate degree in public relations. She has held internships at the March of Dimes, University of Michigan Health System and now the Hungry Dudes. Her hobbies include baking, reading and running.

Can you tell us about the company you are currently interning for?

My current internship is for the Hungry Dudes, a popular food blog in Metro Detroit. The blog began as a way to explore and promote the food scene in the Detroit area (and to prove there ARE positive atmospheres and fun places to go to in Detroit!). The five members (all talented writers and photographers) are often invited to visit restaurants, take photos and write about their experiences, which they in turn share with their followers on their website and social media outlets.

What are your duties as an intern?

My internship is mostly remote, meaning the majority of the work I accomplish is from home. I'm responsible for their weekly newsletter as well as some copy editing and designing print pieces. I've also written press releases and fact sheets. I try to meet up with a few of the members at least once a week at their photo shoots or food events.

What makes your internship unique?

This internship has been unique in a few ways--it's great to be trusted to do things on my own time. They trust me with posts to their website and social media sites, which makes me feel like one of the team! Since I'm also job searching, they're helping promote me to their networks too, so this is proving to be more than just an internship that builds my portfolio because it could lead to a job opportunity with someone they know. On a non-professional level--I've tried a lot of new foods like different seafood dishes, thai food and other things I would have never ordered the menu myself. Some of the dudes actually joke that I'm their "notsohungry intern" but I think it's making me more adventurous in my food decisions on my own now!
 
Follow Jenna on Twitter @jenna_frye or check out her website jenna-frye.com!

By: Marysa Miller

By Marysa Miller

As school goes into full gears once again, the last thing you want to do after hitting the books is lose your amazing spring break tan. After all, you probably spent numerous hours in the sun getting that golden glow. Here are my secrets to faking my tan year round:

Find the perfect bright nail polish. I know it sounds silly, but trust me on this one. Find a shade that is bright to the point that it is almost neon. I normally stick with a bright pink shade for any time the sun is out. Another color I have found that works well is white. At first, I felt like I was putting white out on my nails; when I realized how tan it made my skin look, I fell in love.