Molly Diedrich, 20, stands in the corner of the San Francisco State’s recently refurbished J Paul Leonard Library, scanning her phone and checking for empty tables. She doesn’t look it, wearing a simple striped long sleeve, red scarf, and brown boots, but beginning Fall 2012, she’ll be holding the official title of National Panhellenic Council’s Vice President of Recruitment. While organizing three separate sororities, as well as rewriting rules sounds may be a daunting task for most, Molly looks forward to the challenge.
“I love organizing,” says Molly, who admittedly dislikes being in charge of anything and doesn’t see herself as intimidating. But there’s an upside to being part of an authoritative position: working with a great group of women. Although sororities have gotten a pretty bad reputation from films like Sydney White and House Bunny, Molly assures that the similarities between movies and real life aren’t too similar. Chapters like her own, Alpha Gamma Delta, often set up study groups and require a GPA minimum to ensure the best experience at a university.
“I forget sometimes that it is a big position because greek life is so small,” says Molly. She was shocked when she recently visited USC and was welcomed by eight chapters. But even when the campus lacks sororities, it doesn’t lack numbers; each of the three sororities has over 100 sisters. Last of Fall, to celebrate the new members, her sorority went to House of Air, a trampoline warehouse. “It was perfect to have a big group to go with.”
Anyone is encouraged to join if they meet the requirements, including the larger commuter population within the SF State community. “Of course they can’t go to all the meetings and events, but we try to work with them,” she says.
“It’s a great experience, a lot has come out of it for me,” reflects Molly, who says the good outweighs the conflict.
If you’re thinking of joining a sorority, or would like to learn more about the subject, visit Her Campus Greek Life or see more information on Greek Life at SFSU.