Jesse Batson

Unity, support, teamwork, leadership skills and networking are just a few of the benefits that most Greeks will attest to.

The Greek population on campus is still described as relatively small, but about 270 students populate the 10 Greek fraternities tied to SDSU.

National Organizations

The Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) is the national organization of the men’s fraternities, while the Pan Hellenic Council (PHC) oversees the women’s fraternities says Shonda Reed, Program Advisor for Greek Life and Student Organizations.

These national organizations ensure that specific guidelines and regulations are followed, Reed says.

Going Greek

During the beginning weeks of each semester, the Greek organizations at SDSU formally recruit students to join their chapters.

The process can take a number of weeks in some cases.

Many times, having a family member already involved with the Greek life entices students to join as well.

“My cousin went to SAE in Iowa,” says Robert Fisher, Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Vice President.

In some cases students will join fraternities without any prior exposure to the Greek life.

“It was hard to join Alpha Xi Delta without any of my friends,” says Nicole Vollan, President of Alpha Xi Delta.

For Emily Rollins, Chi Omega President, the structure of the women’s fraternity is what persuaded her to pledge.

“It just seemed like the most organized, responsible group of women that I could be a part of,” Rollins says.

Community Service

The Ronald McDonald House, the Children’s Miracle Network, Habitat for Humanity and Adopt-a-Highway are just a handful of charitable organizations that the Greeks are connected to.

The focus on community service within the Greek life is mandated by the national organizations.

The mandates don’t detract from the rewards that the girls get when they volunteer, Rollins says.

“We really like to do those things and those are the times that we have the most fun.”

Friends

One of the main reasons many members of the Greek society say they enjoy being in franternities is the friendships that result from joining.

“They push you to do things you’re not normally going to do,” Vollan says.

The men of SAE offered support for Fisher when he needed it most.

“If it wasn’t for these guys, I probably would have left school and gone to a technical school,” Fisher says.

Fisher’s parents divorced when he was a child, so he was left without a male role model to look up to.

“I came here and just had guys who wanted to take me in and under their wings,” Fisher says.

The idea of having a support group is what keeps Fisher involved in SAE.

“I know that I’ll always have a place to go, and that there’s always guys who are going to be involved,” he says.

SDSU’s Greeks:

Wome’s Fraternities:Alpha Xi DeltaCeresChi Omega

Men’s Fraternities:Alpha Gamma RhoDelta ChiFarmHouseLambda Chi AlphaSigma Alpha EpsilonSigma Phi DeltaSigma Phi Epsilon

The biggest misconceptions:Hazing”They have made it clear from day one that it doesn’t happen.”–Emily Rollins, Chi Omega resident

“When you go through recruitment, they are very open.”– Sam Pauley, Pan Hellenic Council President; Ceres member

Alcohol”We are the only dry fraternity on campus.”–Dave Mensing, FarmHouse President

“What people do is their own decision. We’re making sure they’re safe. We’re making sure they’re not driving home. We have (designated drivers) walking around our social functions at night.–Robert Fisher, SAE Vice President

Parties”I don’t think people understand how structured the organizations are on campus. When people think that we just throw parties and have a good time, it’s kind of ridiculous.”–Emily Rollins, Chi Omega President

Academics”We’re not the dumb blondes at all. We’re smart girls. We’re not cookie-cutter images either. We’re all different and we’ve got different pesonalities.”–Emily Rollins, Chi Omega President “Nobody is the ditzy blonde type. They are down-to-earth girls. Most of them are scholastic and that’s what they put their minds to.”–Sam Pauley, PHA President, Ceres member

SDSU Negativity”I wouldn’t say it’s negativity. It’s just lack of knowledge and lack of marketing.”–Emily Rollins, Chi Omega President

Media Portrayals”I don’t take offense to it at all. I think people need to realize that there’s also two sides to the story. Lots of stuff that you’ll see on TV isn’t how it actually is.”–NicoleVollan, Alpha Xi Delta President