The University of Idaho has a lot to offer for on-campus living. If you are looking to build a fast, strong network of friends and become involved on campus from day one, going Greek may be the best option.
Bryce Delay | Argonaut
As a transfer student looking to reside on campus, my first concern was the cost of living. Going Greek isn’t the cheapest way of living. The average cost of fraternity living expenses per semester was $2,700 and $3,400 for sorority housing in 2012, according to UI Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Apart from the cost, I was interested in meeting new people at the start. I found that fraternities promised immediate social events at the beginning of every school year. For example, some fraternities throw bid day parties, where the older members welcome the students who got accepted to pledge fraternities. These events are intended for new members of the fraternities to bond with their pledge class and older members. They usually invite sororities as well.
Delta Sigma Phi, the fraternity I pledged throws a camping trip at the beginning of each year. Everyone loads up their tents, speakers, food and we head out to party around a huge bonfire until early in the morning.
Other students say they go Greek because it offers them a chance to bond with new people.
Juan Corona, who recently graduated from UI in 2012, now works for the UI Office of Admissions. He joined a fraternal organization, Beta Theta Pi, his first year as an undergraduate and lived in a Greek house during all four years of college. Corona graduated from a local high school in Parma, Idaho and was the only student from his class who planned to enroll at UI. He said that his community encouraged him to look into fraternities on campus.
“I pledged with 24 others at the beginning,” Corona said. “I talked to all of them, (and) I’m close to about six of them, but we all keep in touch in my house in general. We keep in touch on Facebook — (I’m) still getting invites to weddings. In general, I call on a regular (basis), or text about 20 or so (people).”
Overall, joining a Greek house is a great way to get involved in the campus community. During the open house or recruitment days, which usually happen two weeks before fall semester starts, freshmen pledge with 10 to 30 people who become their closest friends. During the open house, older members provide support and guidance for campus involvement.
From the start, you are introduced to hundreds of new people on Greek row. Throughout the year, fraternities provide a venue for incoming students to socialize and participate in campus events.
“My favorite part of living in a house is just dealing with all the different personalities,” Corona said. “At Beta (Theta Pi) we can house I believe 65 or 62 men, and so just dealing with everyone is so different … and dealing with them was fun and a great learning experience.”
Greek Row is known for their community service and participating in campus activities. My first year on campus, I participated in numerous intramural sports from flag football to ultimate Frisbee with my pledge brothers. As a house, you participate in other Greek philanthropies like dodgeball and bowling tournaments, which raises money for non-profit organizations. In this way, fraternities and sororities leave a positive impact on their communities.
Every Greek house participates in their own philanthropy. Last year, the UI Greek community raised around $70,000 for organizations like Alternatives to Violence of the Palouse, Habitat for Humanity and the American Cancer Society, according to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Through community involvement, competitive sports and countless social events, going Greek is one of the best ways for incoming freshmen to get the most out of their college experience.
Bryce Delay can be reached at [email protected]