The Aug Blog recently asked a current St. Aug senior who happens to be a member of a Greek organization to tackle the question, "To Go Greek or Not". These are his findings...

The presence of Greeks on Saint Augustine's College's campus is at an all time high. The dazzling party hops and chants continuously replay in my head. I think to myself, "Man, that's the new wave!" and I could definitely see myself being a part of a fraternity or sorority. My biggest questions now are not which Greek organization to pursue, but why should I even join? I have done some asking around and gained some knowledge about why people like me "Go Greek" and more importantly why they should not. Here's what I came up with.

Go Greek- To broaden your network. In this day and age it is the people you know that get you in the door, and the skills that you possess ultimately keep you in the room. Fraternities and sororities have a plethora of successful professionals willing to provide opportunities for fellow members.

Don’t Go Greek-“To be a T-shirt wearer.” This means you’re always wearing paraphernalia, attending socials, but never show up to the programmed events or to the many community service projects. Contrary to popular belief, assisting others has been the primary objective of Greek organizations since their inception. If you don’t plan to work, I would say, “Don’t plan on joining.” You will only be a disservice to the organization and your community.

Go Greek- To enter an organization of high morals and even higher expectations. As you probably have noticed, members in Greek organizations have a ton of pride. They are overly protective of their plots, clearing people out of the way as they party hop, and the recital of distinctive chants to make their presence well known. Everything seems so superficial at first glance. What we fail to realize is that these individuals maintain high grade point averages and continuously give back to their community. I have known some Greeks to put the needs of others before their own. During my research I’ve found that these traits have remained consistent throughout the history of several Greek organizations. The standard is set high, and acceptance requires for you to provide proof that you possess the necessary abilities to carry on the organization’s legacy. If you are anything like me you have a lot of work to do.

Don’t Go Greek- To be stagnant and reluctant to grow. You must be willing and prepared to change, presumably for the better. Being in Greek organizations requires some versatility. I’ve observed various people before they joined organizations; they lack certain traits that would make them stand out as a leader. Post initiation, I have seen an individual’s swag go from 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds. They now have charisma and a personality that cannot be faded. So if you are unwilling to sacrifice simple things that prevent you from being a leader, i.e. poor time management and/or arrogance, do not go Greek.

It is a grand privilege to have the opportunity to join any Greek organization. I respect all founders that help pave the way for many students that aspire to become a leader. They have provided leadership and service for generations to come. By going Greek you have all the potential to make an everlasting positive impact on the world. I leave you with this. If it’s not in your heart, Don’t Go Greek!

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