 |
| The Alpha Omicron Pi sisters on Initiation Day |
This semester has been one of exciting changes for me. In
addition to becoming a Barnard Student Admissions Representative, I have also
had the marvelous opportunity to join a sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII).
Coming from the south, Greek life was a huge part of the
culture, and a vast majority of girls in my high school aspired to (and did!)
join a sorority once they got to college.
However, when I came to Barnard, I was very unsure about rushing; I was
just getting used to the college environment, and I wanted to take it slow in
terms of joining clubs and getting involved in campus. I was also terrified by the concept of
making a lifelong commitment to a group of women. It’s a big step, and I never
take anything lightly!
As my first year progressed, however, I became increasingly
curious about joining a sorority. My friends who had joined all seemed to be having
such a great time. When I talked to different friends about their sororities, they all had
nothing but great things to say about not only their respective chapters, but
Greek life in general. Instead of the
sense of obligation that I feared would come with being in a sorority,
my friends instead seemed to experience love and care for their
sisters that did not seem forced at all.
It really seemed like a community, and that thought truly appealed to
me. At the end
of my freshman year I decided I couldn’t take it any longer--I just had to
rush. Most of my friends were already in
Greek life anyway, and I was so excited to see if it was right for me.
 |
| AOII's Relay for Life table |
As in so many other ways, Barnard is really the "best of both worlds" when it comes to Greek life. Although I was very excited to join a sorority, many Barnard students simply aren't, and it in
no way dominates the social scene. I never had a problem socially before I
joined Greek life; there are so many different things to do and so many types
of people, and Greek life is only a portion of the myriad of opportunities
available.
If you decide to do
it, formal recruitment, or “rushing,” occurs during second semester. Formal recruitment is a three-day process
where you attend a series of events thrown by each of the sororities. There are five sororities on Columbia’s
campus: Alpha Chi Omega (AXO), Alpha Omicron Pi (AOII), Delta Gamma (DG), Kappa
Alpha Theta (Theta), and Sigma Delta Tau (SDT).
Based on a mutual selection process, you are called back to sororities you liked who also believed that you were also a good fit for them. At the end of the process you may receive a
bid, and you can decide to either accept the bid and enter into the pledging
process, or deny the bid with the option to rush again the following year.
If you choose to accept your bid, you become a pledge of the
sorority, and eventually become an initiated member (yay!).
Greek life isn’t for everyone, and I wasn't even sure at first if it was right for me. But I can honestly say that after joining Alpha Omicron Pi, my college
experience is better than ever. The
warmth and love that I have received from my sisters is unprecedented, and I
truly feel as if I am part of a community of people who genuinely care about me. Although I entered into the process with
doubts, I am now kicking myself for not joining sooner. Being in a sorority is so much fun, and it is
such a blessing to be part of a group of organizations so committed to both sisterhood
and service. I love philanthropy, I love
my sisters, and I love AOII!
Maria
No comments:
Post a Comment