Fort Smith Four
Covering Local News and Local Issues
Screw Stereotypes: Sororities
Averie Warren
September 28, 2015
When a person hears the word “sorority” what comes to mind? “When I hear ‘sorority,’ I picture uppity girls who have no idea of how the real world works.” “Stepford Wives of UAFS.” “There's always that clichéd sorority girl- the girl who doesn't eat carbs, only dates frat guys, and lives off her father's money. I had this picture in my head when I came to college, anyway.” “Legally Blonde.” All of these quotes are from University of Arkansas – Fort Smith students, some even members of Greek life. This is how sorority girls are depicted. However, is this accurate portrayal, specifically on the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith campus? One has to delve farther into Greek life to find out.
Misconception #1: Sorority girls are dumb.
This is definitely untrue. National statistics show that sorority women have higher retention rates, graduation rates within six years, and “on-time” graduation rates. Not to mention the likelihood of graduation “on-time” was two times higher for sorority members opposed to non-sorority members (Biddix). According to Fraternity and Sorority Facts | Greek Life, the First Female Senator and the First Female Astronaut were both Greek.
At UAFS, Greek Life in Spring 2015 had a cumulative GPA of 3.03. The all sorority GPA, which includes four organizations, was 3.08. This is a B average.
When UAFS sorority members were asked if their grades suffered from joining a sorority, most said they improved. This could be due to the GPA required to be a part of a Greek organization, or it could be due to the mandatory study hours.
Misconception #2: Sorority Girls are Selfish
While individually a person may be selfish, it is wrong to assume that as a whole, sororities are selfish. Every fraternity and sorority has a “philanthropy” that their organization is centered on, whether it be helping people with visual impairment (Delta Gamma) or helping the elderly with arthritis problems (Alpha Omicron Pi). Over $7 million is raised each year by Greeks nationally and that the Greek system is the largest network of volunteers in the US, with members donating over 10 million hours of volunteer service each year (Greek Life Statistics). I can personally attest for one Greek organization on the UAFS campus- Delta Gamma.
Within the first month of the Fall semester, Delta Gamma raised approximately $2000 for their philanthropy, Service for Sight. They also collectively volunteered over 300 service hours toward their philanthropy and 50 community hours through helping the Fort Smith area.
Overall, the combination of the four sororities at UAFS completed well over 1000 hours of community service in the Spring semester of 2015. They also raised over $4000 toward their respective philanthropies.
Misconception #3: Sorority girls are vain.While most photos show sorority girls all smiles and dolled up, this stems from the fact that they know there will be photos taken that day. Do you have a member of a sorority in your class? Particularly an early class? I guarantee at 8:00am, no one cares about their appearance. The best part is not just that they do not care about their own looks; it is that sorority girls do not judge others based on appearance either. You do not have to look a certain way or wear certain clothes to be a part of a sorority. “You’re not a sorority woman by your interest or what you look like; we are sorority women because of our values and our desire to do good in our world,” said Nicole Hutcheson, a UAFS sorority member.
What is ironic is that despite these being common stereotypes and misconceptions, often used by UAFS students, very few people experiencethese misconceptions. Non-Greek junior, Wes Rambo stated, “All the sorority girls I've ever had to work with or had to talk to are total sweethearts. Always willing to help and even if they don't really like you they will still give you a compliment.” Another non-Greek member, Luke Patick, said, “I can say that most [sorority girls] are smarter than me, most are harder workers than me, and that most experience a sense of comradery other college students will probably never experience.” As a member of a sorority I can attest to these thoughts; the girls I have encountered in Greek life are incredible. Perhaps it is best summed up by non-Greek student Kayley Corley, “They are normal women. They are kind. They are funny. They are smart. They are leaders. From what I have observed, Greek life doesn't make them. They make Greek life.”