Daera: Finding My Home Away from Home

Greek life at BU makes up 13% of the student population. If you do the math, which I already did (although please take it with a grain of salt because it’s not my strong suit), that means there are about 2,000 students involved in that group. In the Alpha Xi chapter of Sigma Delta Tau, there are 150 girls. In the new member class, there are 41 girls. One of those girls, as of February 20th, 2018, is me.

When I started at BU, one of the first things I ever said was that I would never get involved in Greek life. All I knew about it was what I saw on TV, in shows like “Greek”, and in pictures that came across my social media feeds from my friends who went to big state colleges. For me, Greek life represented everything I didn’t want about my college experience; it seemed like it would limit my exposure to other people on campus and prevent me from joining clubs relevant to my major.

During my freshman year, I stuck to this promise and only joined clubs related to my major. I did WTBU, became a COM Ambassador, and participated and some other things here and there. After a while, however, I realized this wasn’t enough. Although I enjoyed everything I did, I hadn’t found my place on campus. By the time I settled into sophomore year, I realized my friends had found their home on campus during freshman year and I suddenly felt isolated. So, after a long conversation with my mother during Thanksgiving break, I decided to bite the bullet and sign up for recruitment.

Going into recruitment, the only wish I had was to make friends in the process, even if I didn’t end up in a sorority. After the first day, my expectations were already exceeded. I found amazing friends just in the group that I went through the process with and felt like I could make a home in many of the chapters we have on campus. By the last day, I knew that no matter where I ended up, I had already made friends that would help me make my lasting mark at BU.

Getting my bid from my sorority was without a doubt one of the happiest days of my life. I instantly felt so loved and welcomed. That first night was a bit overwhelming and I instantly forget many of the names of the people I met, but I was instantly, absolutely certain I made the best choice for me. It’s only been a month, but I have never been happier on campus and I cannot wait to spend the next few years at home with my sisters.

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Kaley: Sorority Recruitment

Recruitment. The word makes me sound like an athlete or a member of the armed services. In BU’s spring semester, though, the word stirs images that are 100% the opposite of either: to 2,000 female students, recruitment means pink, pumps, and Pinterested décor.

I decided to get involved in Greek life before I ever set foot on BU’s campus –it was a factor I considered when narrowing my college options during senior spring. So, after waiting all of first semester and some of second, formal recruitment finally rolled around this weekend. To say the least, it’s an experience like none other.

All 700 “potential new members” –that’s me and about 699 other hopefuls who are striving to join sororities –are guided through the Marriott in Copley Square, and we spend different amounts of allotted time with each chapter in their own spectacularly decorated ballroom. In the past 48 hours, I’ve spoken in-depth with more than 100 BU women.  And I’m barely halfway through the process.

The amazing thing is, each of the individuals I’ve spoken to has actually been an awesome person. The friendships I’ve forged during this process are authentic, and although the days at recruitment are long and the concept can seem intimidating, the first two days alone have reaffirmed the reason I ultimately chose BU last May: the people here are real. Sorority-land is considered a superficial place at many schools, but at BU you will only find more honest, confident, down-to-earth students. In my opinion, that speaks to the character of our student body.

Lauren: Sorority Recruitment!

Hi everyone!  Hope you’re all having an amazing semester so far!

Last weekend, I participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s with my Sigma Kappa sisters!  It was such an amazing experience, and it made me realize that going through Formal Recruitment and joining a sorority was one of the best decisions of my life!

Through sisterhood and philanthropic events, sororities work to make a difference in the community and serve as a foundation for lifelong friendships.  Greek life is perfect for anyone looking to become a part of a special and meaningful group!

I recommend that any girls interested in joining a sorority go through Recruitment!  It will give you a chance to meet tons of girls and figure out which sorority is the best fit for you!

Formal Recruitment doesn’t begin until January (the actual dates are Friday January 11th to Monday January 14th – mark them on your calendar!!). While this may seem like it’s a century away, it’ll be here before you know it!

BU has some great resources on everything relating to Greek Life!  Here’s what you should do if you’re interested in recruitment!

  1. Check out the Greek Life Prospective Member FAQ page-

Got any specific questions about Greek life or recruitment?  Look no further!

http://www.bu.edu/greeklife/gogreek/faq-for-students/

  1. 2. Take some time to learn about all the different sororities

At formal recruitment, you’ll get the chance to meet all sororities!  It’s very exciting, but it can be a little overwhelming too!  My advice is to research all of BU’s sororities before recruitment, so that it makes things less stressful during recruitment time!  This will definitely help you out!

http://www.bu.edu/greeklife/governing-councils/panhel/sororities/

  1. 3. Keep up-to-date!

“Like” BU Sorority Recruitment on Facebook to stay in the loop with everything going on!  Also, follow @BUPanhel on Twitter for the latest Recruitment information!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/BU-Sorority-Recruitment/190289434356380

  1. 4. Learn the lingo!

If you get the chance, take some time to look at some of the Greek life terminology!   That way you’re ready to go on the first day of recruitment! http://www.bu.edu/greeklife/files/2009/10/Words-You-Should-Know.pdf

For sophomores, juniors and seniors, you can also look at some other recruitment options like Informal Recruitment or joining Kappa Alpha Theta!

I’m proud to be a member of the BU Greek community!  We’re a group of strong, dedicated students, and I can’t watch as we continue to grow!

#COMlove always,

Lauren

Kate: We Made Our Mark

KateEvery January, about a week before classes start, the campus fills with girls—thousands of them—all getting ready for sorority recruitment.  Whether a sorority woman or a potential new member, everyone has a certain excitement and anxiousness that can only be found during recruitment.

Sorority Recruitment 2012
Sorority Recruitment 2012

This year, over 600 PNMs came out to the Marriot Hotel in Copley to “Make Their Mark” on Greek Life.  Only five days later, the same 600+ girls received their bids and excitedly joined their new sisters!

I’ll be honest, Greek Life is not huge at BU, definitely nothing like the “Go Greek or Go Home” schools I grew up around in the Midwest.  But we are a growing community and each year, more and more freshmen and sophomore women are joining the nine chapters we currently have on campus.  I went through recruitment as a freshman and it was a stressful, exciting, tiring, thrilling, and completely worth it week of small talk, pictures, cheering, and lots and lots of girls.   But without it, I wouldn’t have met some of my best friends on campus and future bridesmaids… yes, I went there with that cliché…but its true.

And in addition to the sisters, one thing about BU Greek Life that I really love is the support.  We attend each other’s philanthropy events, help when our community is in need, and encourage each other through everything.  Last year, the nine sororities worked together during Sigma Chi Derby Days, a weeklong philanthropy event to benefit cancer research, and raised almost $30,000! And when a house that members of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity live in caught on fire this semester, the entire community bought supplies and food to get them back on their feet. That service and support will always make me proud to be a member of the Greek community.

My Bid night!
My Bid night!

Greek Life at BU is one of those things that you get out what you put into it.  If you want to get really involved, that opportunity is absolutely available to you.  And if you want it to be one of the many different things you do on campus that's fine too.  But it has provided me an incredible support system over the past year and given me some of the best experiences I’ve had at BU!

For more information about Greek Life, check out www.bu.edu/greeklife or @BUGreeks on Twitter!