Royal Purple

Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: Lifestyle

Media Credit: Alison Wisneski From left to right, Anthony Frederick, Ashley Shain, Kyle Hulsebus, Maressa Nazari, and Adam Salvo listen to Shawna Carter at the Leadership conference on Feb. 29.

Students do not join an organization like Habitat for Humanity or Best Buddies to buy their friends. They join to make a difference in someone's life, hold a leadership position, add to their resume and make life-long friendships. The same goes for students who join fraternities or sororities. To join, students pay a small membership fee, but the benefits significantly outweigh the costs that Greek members pay for their friends is one of the dangerous stereotypes that cause students to miss out on an opportunity of a lifetime. Just ask formerly anti-Greek junior Tim Scully.

"I used to be an anti-Greek because I never took the time to go to an informational meeting and bought into all the stereotypes that existed," he said.

Recruitment for rush week has just passed and Scully is very glad he participated.

"Rushing Pi Kappa Alpha was an amazing experience," he said. "You learn a lot about the history of the organization and your ability to grow as a student and person."

For new students at any university, making friends and fitting in can be a scary experience. Greek life makes this experience effortless.

Senior Chris Daniels can relate.

"Before I joined Phi Chi Epsilon, I was a quiet young man who didn't branch out much," Daniels said. "I was the freshman who stayed in his room playing video games during all my free time. My brother, Tim Daniels, talked me into joining with the line."

So, is Greek life really as expensive as most think? Daniels and Scully say no. As the former president of Phi Chi, Daniels knew where every cent went.

"The money we spend goes right back into our own pockets," he said. "We have retreats, exchanges with sororities, attend Bucks games, Brewers games and even concerts. I consider it to be the best investment I have ever made."

Dues for Phi Chi are only $150 a semester.

"This is the amount of money I could make in two full days of work," Daniels said. "It's well worth a semester of social events which would cost much more if I hadn't joined a fraternity. I consider the $150 a semester of events I'll remember for the rest of my life."

Continued...

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