“It’s All Greek to Me”: My Greekless Life

Going onto Facebook and scrolling through statuses and pictures flooding my newsfeed, I think it is safe to say that, rushing and pledge season is here; and as cliché as it may sound “It’s All Greek to Me.”  The rushing and pledge process with bids, the rules of brothers and sisters, the foreign Greek letters and the concept of ‘Bigs’ and ‘Littles’ are ideas that I only hear from my friends at other universities with Greek life.

I always get looks of complete and utter shock many of my friends express as I inform them that my campus is ‘greek-less’.  “Well what do you do on the weekends?” “So are there no parties?” “Don’t you wish you had houses to go to?” are common concerns.  They’re then naturally followed by the inevitable, “Oh you are missing out,” comment.
 
Here at BC the only brothers and sisters I know are the ones walking in and out of St. Mary’s or St. Ignatius on a daily basis.  And although the Jesuits are fun people, they are definitely in a different category of ‘fun’ than the brothers and sisters found in one’s fraternity or sorority.  When applying to Boston College, I was aware that there wasn’t any Greek life, and I was almost happy about that because I had only heard the negative stigmas attached to the way of life: excessive drinking, hazing and catty sorority girls (thank you House Bunny and Animal House and GREEK).

 
I realize now that there is more to Greek life than parties and drinking.  Many friends have helped disprove the often negative stereotypes.  Those involved in Greek life, for the most part, love it!  And I am happy for them because Greek life does have a lot of good things too offer: a sense of community, social agenda, houses, networking opportunities with alumni, philanthropy projects and leadership opportunities.  I, however, have to argue them on one point: I am not missing out because I do not have Greek life here at BC.  I’m doing just fabulously, thanks!
 
Even though we do not have the set institutions of houses here on campus to unite us, I think there are several ways that we compensate for what Greek life has to offer and may even exceed those opportunities.  I will admit, by looking at the pictures of my friends, Greek life looks like a great time, and I question what BC would be like if we had Greek life.  Would it enhance my college experience?  After contemplating this question, however, I realize I am happy (actually more than happy) with my decision to come to BC and would not incorporate Greek life because we have our own way to reap the benefits that Greek life offers at other universities.
 
1.  Instant connection with large group of girls or boys
Coming in freshman year, I am sure that I would have loved to be immediately connected to a group of people, but I think here at BC we are able to form our own connections through teams, clubs, classes and dorms.  We are building our own relationships with people based off of our commonalities and have more of a choice.  In Greek life, you may be similar to those in your house, but I am sure there are people you wish you were not connected to; here at BC we are able to choose who we associate with and also have to push ourselves as independent individuals in going out there and meeting new people.  I have found that through orientations, retreats and clubs we are connected to so many different people in a more authentic way.
 
2.  Possible leadership opportunities 
My friend Adam is Vice President of his frat at Tulane University, and a friend of mine at Lehigh University has mentioned to me how the opportunities are not limited to those within your house but also with the Panhellenic or interfraternity council or national leadership.  All these opportunities are great ways for you to build skills and also to build your resume.  Unfortunately, with leadership comes  added responsibilities and stresses; whatever happens at your house, whether you are involved or not, is connected to you and you must face the consequences.  I’m sure if there is one thing BC does not lack, it’s opportunity of leadership.  Each club and campus group has its own board, each department and school its leadership councils, there are UGBC and RHA, not to mention all of our service organizations, the list goes on and on!  Here at BC we are known as leaders and selected from the top companies and schools after graduation because of those leadership skills that we possess. I think it is fair to say there are opportunities out there and we are the ones going out to get them!
 
2.  Philanthropic Events
Greek life is able to mobilize philanthropy efforts strongly on college campuses because students not only feel attached to the cause for their own house, but also are also willing to help other houses that have supported them in the past.  But let’s be honest… without Greek influence, BC has fantastic philanthropy efforts.  Our misison is to be men and women for others, after all.  I, for example, am a part of the Arrupe Immersion Program.  Then you have Relay for Life, which is a huge event here on campus that connects many students and raises record-breaking donations for American Cancer Society.  There is PULSE, 4Boston, and we can’t forget Appa… all this without Greek life to support it.  Oh, and did we mention Spalsh, Peer Health Exchange, the Lynch and Connell School service trips… once again, the list goes on, and on, and on!
 
 
3.  Networking Opportunities
Alumni from Greek houses are always willing to help students currently in their house with internships and jobs, which create a unique form of networking.  And although this is beneficial, BC is known for having one of the strongest alumni databases in the country.  Through EagleLink, the Career Center and relationships with local businesses and professors, networking is a skill picked up by most students here at BC.  A former Eagle is always willing to help a current Eagle “take flight” into the real world.
 
4.  Enhanced Social Life
With formals, dances, parties and houses to choose from, a lot of my friends have mentioned that Greek life alleviates the pressure of figuring out,“What to do tonight?” Here at BC, however, with sporting events, friends, off campus, the city of Boston located just a T-ride away, on campus events and creative minds, I think we are able to enhance our own social lives.  I would challenge a Mod party with a frat party any day!
 

5.  Constant Support from Group
I would have to say that my greatest support system consists of my closest friends here at school, and I have been able to build these relationships without Greek life.  Although you have more people to rely on in your house and can use them for tutoring help, advice, favors and friendships, I don’t think that you need Greek life to provide that.  I think that the support received outside of Greek life could actually be better because the support you receive doesn’t seem “obligatory” because it is from someone in your house, but is because the person truly cares about you.
 
So Greek Guys and Gals, listen up!  We are’t missing out here at BC.  All the benefits that Greek life offers can be found here at our Jesuit university, just in different forms.  Just like fraternities and sororities, we find where we fit best here on our campus, but we are able to work as individuals and not worry about the rules of the “house.” 
 
Without Greek life I feel we are at an advantage because there is no pressure to join or any feelings of being left out as an outcast if chosen to remain independet.  Greek life enhances the college experience for some, but I fear it also has limiting factors.  We avoid the exclusivity, dues, heightened drinking atmosphere, possible forced friendships, pledge process and potential PR risk, which are factors commonly attached to Greek life.  I honestly get a headache when I think about all the rules and regulations my friends are responsible for in their lives because of Greek life. They can’t date other brothers and sisters or talk to people at certain times of the year.  No offense folks, but at 20 years old, I don’t want to be told what to do when it comes to who I can or cannot date or talk to!
 
Several of my friends have told me once they ‘pledged’ into Greek life, they “can’t imagine what they would do without it.”  This almost scares me; they were never that reliant on any sort of “system” in high school.  Does Greek life strip one of your personal identities by replacing it with the identity of the house?  Does Greek life inhibit you from reaching out on your own because you are in a comfort zone of your house?  Does it, perhaps, inhibit you from living the independent lifestyle that college is supposed to introduce you to, allowing you to take a step closer into the “real world”?  These are questions I ask.  We think BC is a bubble, but imagine if we lived in a Greek BC bubble…
 
Don’t get me wrong; I am not anti-Greek life at all.  I think that it is great to be an option at schools.  With several houses of different dynamics, you can decide not only if Greek life fits you but also what “house” fits you.
 
So whether I would be a good fit for Greek life or not if it was here at BC is a question I still ponder, but one that I don’t have to worry about answering… ever.  It looks like there is no need for BC to have it, we are just fine without it! WE ARE BC!

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