Samantha Goldfarb: CU’s Greek Goddess

One CC Junior from Shaker Heights, Ohio spent the past year leading a forever-growing and complex Columbia community. As the President of the Panhellenic Council, the umbrella organization behind all of the University’s sorority chapters, Samantha promotes a tireless campaign of deeply held values and an irreplaceable sense of support associated with the Greek Life experience here.  This wonderful leadership opportunity has given Samantha exclusive insight into the solidarity of such close-knit social groups, as well as the chance to reevaluate what the concept of sisterhood truly means. Her Campus Barnard sat down with the down-to-earth Astrophysics major to discuss this past weekend’s formal recruitment, her role models, and what sorority life on campus means to her.  

1. Can you explain what the Formal Recruitment journey has been like for you this year?

I would be lying if I didn’t say that the journey to this point has been easy or short, but it wouldn’t be as amazing if it came swiftly or easily. A lot of love, care, and hard work have been necessary to get here. I could not imagine in my wildest dreams that I would have told you I’d be here on the eve of the largest Formal Recruitment in the history of Columbia with the first extension of the community in over two decades. We’ve had crises and triumphs that even shocked the most confident of us, had moments where it seemed like everything was coming together for the community, but on the heels of moments where I felt very isolated as a member of that same community. . I’ve had moments where I’ve been immeasurably proud of the impact myself and my peers have been able to have, but also some where I’ve asked myself if the work has meant anything or if it’s leading us anywhere. In each of those moments, I’ve had some of my best friends (specifically my Panhellenic Exec ladies, my IGC exec brothers, and my confidant and mentor, Victoria Lopez-Herrera), by my side to support each other through the tougher moments, and make celebrating the victories sweeter. Now that it’s finally here (the end of my term comes at the close of the Formal Recruitment on Bid Day), it seems like everything has lead up to this point, with a year of planning and community conversations designed to improve this experience. It’s a little overwhelming to try to consider what happens next. This role has shaped who I am. Thank goodness I don’t have to leave yet all together. Then I really would have no idea what to do with myself at this point.

2.What are the three most important aspects of the sometimes-abstract umbrella term ‘sisterhood?’

Shared values, acceptance, and genuineness. Without those three things it’s really difficult for me to imagine the type of bond that can form between individuals. Shared values not only set guidelines for interactions, but also expectations of where a relationship may go together. But more than that, deeper friendships are formed in the acceptance and respect of differences beyond core values. Being able to recognize the value not only in the intersections you have with one another, but also value and promise of education in where there are no intersections. Sisterhoods, on the other hand, are formed when you have shared values to bind you, acceptance to keep you close, and genuineness to keep you honest and real. That, for me, is what’s at the heart of sisterhood. 

3. How are potential new members (‘PNM’s’) supposed to make a careful, informed judgment on the organization that seems right after such short interactions with current sisters? At what point did you know your personal decision made sense? *

The biggest challenge posed to current sisters when organizing recruitment is to present an honest picture of the values of their organization and the lasting qualities of their individual chapter. Potential New Members are called upon to be able to see an organization not only for the individual interactions (not that those are unimportant) but for what the individual interactions suggest about a chapter. Reading between the lines in a conversation is important. You can learn a lot about an organization by the way sisters interact when they speak to each other, how they engage in conversations, and the cues they give you about their values through the questions they ask a PNM. I was actually further along in the Formal Recruitment process by the time I was certain my personal decision made sense. I am truly a poster-child for the Formal Recruitment process in that visiting different organizations over a period of time gave me a chance to compartmentalize the identity of the Greek community as a whole. I knew in the Preference party in the final round of Formal Recruitment that the path I had been put on led me to place I should have been looking all along. I felt a deep connection to a diverse group of women in a way that surprises me even today. All I know is that, walking out of that ceremony, there was no hesitation in my signature on my Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement (a contract which guarantees PNMs will accept a bid to an organization ranked on their form).

4. Do you believe your membership really is forever? How do you think your participation in such an influential group has changed or will change you? *

I can’t imagine a reality in which the bonds I’ve formed don’t exist. I meant what I said about the core values of sisterhood, and for me, those are not things I’m looking for in my collegiate life exclusively. The desire for genuine friendships and a network of support sounds like a pretty good thing to keep around, if you ask me. Maintaining a connection to your affiliation over time isn’t the easiest thing, but the benefits of Greek Life with effort and investment far surpass a life without them. The largest change I have seen in myself as a direct result of my involvement in Greek Life is my awareness. I’ve become more aware of myself, in all the roles I fill as a woman, a student, a leader, of the way these roles impact the way I approach situations and communities, and of my power and ability to shape the world to being to fit in to some of the grand plans I have for it.