Being in a sorority or fraternity can be hard for multiple reasons. Juggling events that are required for Greek Life, as well as handling school work that needs to be turned in on those same days can be difficult.

The looks and judgments they receive from fellow students are really what demeans them. Homework, events and everything else aside, this is what really makes me frustrated as someone who is in a sorority.

I joined Alpha Sigma Tau (AST) this semester and have loved everything about it. I’ve never felt such a connection and bond than when I decided to go through formal recruitment when I ran home to AST. We decided to take pictures, all dressing in our letters and meeting in the UC, resulting in us all receiving “the look.” 

“The look” is when people turn their noses up to us because they believe we “buy friends.” This is the complete opposite of what Greek life is, especially at the university. Stigmas such as members of Greek Life being unintelligent, excessive partiers or stuck up are complete fallacies. 

In order for me to join Alpha Sigma Tau, I had to meet their expectations and they also had to meet mine. 

Being in a sorority is more than just friendship and sisterhood, it’s about professional development and service to both the university and the community. We have two philanthropies: the Women’s Wellness Initiative and the chapter philanthropy, S.M.I.L.E on Down Syndrome. We help each of these philanthropies in different ways and it is so rewarding. We raise money for these organizations as well as get close to the members we encounter. I will never forget how heart-warming it was to see the girls from S.M.I.L.E dancing and having a good time at the cook-off event tASTe.

AST is helping me get ready for my future career as well as being a support system that I didn’t know I needed. People who say “I don’t want to buy my friends” do not realize that we are doing the complete opposite. We are joining a nonprofit organization that actually gives back to us. 

Walking around campus in my letters gives me a sense of pride because I know I am in an organization that helps me both professionally as well as personally. 

Instead of other students frowning at us and whispering how we buy our friends, they should instead come to a meeting and actually learn what Greek Life is about, then they can form their opinions. Instead, they are forming their thoughts from preconceived beliefs that are far from the truth. This just makes those judgmental people look ignorant and biased. 

That old saying “don’t judge a book by its cover” is true, you know.