An exciting part of many college students’ lives is exploring and becoming familiar with Greek life. Greek life, more specifically fraternities, at The University of Cincinnati (UC) is a truly vibrant experience and brings fulfillment to the students that get involved. It brings a sense of community to those who participate and allows younger students to make bonds with their peers that will last through graduation and after.
Fraternities are some of these amazing organizations that bring the brothers into an almost familial type of environment, but it could be daunting to new rushees who have not been involved with something like this.
One first year student, Braden LeSage of Sigma Phi Epsilon, gave some insight into the exciting time of rushing and how it feels to finally be a pledge in, saying that the brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon were, “extremely welcoming and invest in you early on.”
Another great aspect of being in a fraternity are the connections brothers get to make. Whether it be with those of other fraternities or higher-ups in the world of Greek life, it seems that these students are being set up with secure and promising relationships.
Braden LeSage also touched on this area of Greek life and stated, “I have had my resume and scholarship applications reviewed by those on our exec board and meet well connected people through introductions from those ahead of me.”
Fraternities are an extremely diverse group of students. This is not only reflected from the students but also within the houses. A future rush director and engineering student from the Triangle Fraternity expressed his appreciation for the different communities within Greek life, “Triangle is an engineering fraternity, so we are all like-minded individuals who have taken mostly the same classes. I really like everyone in the fraternity.”
Fraternities such as the Triangle Fraternity have roots in specific academic and are an excellent choice for many students. Students that are interested in joining a frat can create bonds with their fellow brothers outside of the fraternity itself and can take those bonds from the house and into the classroom.
Becoming a part of a fraternity or a part of Greek life in general is also something that is meaningful to some because of family that once had these same experiences. The previously quoted brother from the Triangle Fraternity said that his dad was in a fraternity from “1995-2000, serving as president in 1999.”
Another first year student who is pledging says that his “sisters were both in a sorority when they went to college. It made me want to join a fraternity as I saw them had fun in Greek life”. It is important to recognize that the amazing bond of being in the brotherhood does not run strictly within the house or the school, but it is an experience that can be shared within families alike.
Because of the striking diversity within Greek life and fraternities, many members recommend not settling on the first house you come to.
Another first year student who had already rushed shed light onto why it is so important to explore the options within the organization. “Rushing multiple houses can also get you a wider view of how each houses culture differs from another so you can determine what you like best for your personality type…a real fraternity with good brotherhood will never put you in a position where you feel uncomfortable or have to go against your beliefs.”
With different houses come different values and people, and those who are rushing may find that they fit in one frat better than another. However, this trial and error is a great way for students to find out more about themselves and what they value most when seeking out the right fraternity for them. While fraternities tend to have a bad reputation, many of UC’s fraternities seem to be breaking those stereotypes.
