Hello everyone! I’m excited to be blogging for the first time EVER. Hopefully you will find it as fun as I do! I’m going to write a little about Greek Life at Rhodes College. Here at Rhodes, about 50% of our students are involved in the Greek System. We have four national Panhellenic sororities: Alpha Omicron Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Delta, four national Pan-Hellenic chapters: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Sigma Gamma Rho, and Delta Sigma Theta, and six Interfraternity Chapters: Alpha Tau Omega, Kappa Alpha Order, Kappa Sigma, Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Sigma Nu. So, lots of options people.
Our Greek system has a lot of positives but probably the best one is that we have a non-residential system. Most chapters have a meeting lodge on campus, but no one lives in the houses. All residential students (Greek and Non-Greek alike) live intermingled in our lovely residence halls. Consequently, most Rhodes students will tell you that half of their friends are Greek and half are independent- truly a result of the non-residential nature, I think. Ask them! I dare you. One quick fact for you… four of our sorority lodges were recently added to the National Historic Registry (under Southwestern at Memphis- the College’s previous name), bringing the total number of buildings on the registry at Rhodes College to 18!
Speaking from personal experience, I found Greek Life to be a very fulfilling activity in college. Did you know that most sororities and fraternities were founded with a service mission and that they all are affiliated with a national charity? From Make a Wish Foundation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the American Heart Association, the Greeks are raising money and making a difference on a national level.
For the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving on the advisory board of one of our sororities. This is so much fun for me because I get to know some of the current students really well, and I get to continue relationships with some of the girls that I recruited to Rhodes! (Two of my colleagues, Timothy Gibson and Caroline King, are also Greek advisers). I advise the Sisterhood Chair. My advisee and I focus specifically on making sure that each of our members feel like they have a home away from home. We plan monthly sisterhood events ranging from Grey’s Anatomy night get-togethers, to a fabulous brunch at the house during Parent’s Weekend, to a huge sisterhood blow-out the week before formal- moonbounce, popcorn machine and all. It really is a lot of fun to get to know my advisee and help her lead the sorority.
But it’s not just the Greeks who have leadership opportunities! Rhodes has around 100 different student organizations and our students are EXTREMELY involved. These organizations sponsor over 250 events throughout the academic year so there is never a dull moment on campus. Even many of the Greek events are open to the entire campus. So, you will not feel left out no matter what you choose. Remember, half the student population is making the same choice as you: Greek or Independent.
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