As many Chico State students know, Greek life is very prevalent on our campus, whether that be exploited by individuals wearing Greek clothing, backpacks, pins, or even seeing a group of people tabling, alongside giant Greek letters.
Those who are associated with Greek life are of a close-knit, like-minded, yet unique group of people, as the idea of Greek unity deems important. I am one of these people.
I joined a sorority as a freshman in the Spring 2021 semester. Recruitment was online due to Covid-19, and I am assuming the process was very different to an in-person one. I, along with many others, had to build connections via a computer screen, but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t grateful for the experience as a whole. I love everyone I have met in Greek life, whether that be my fellow sisters, members in other sororities, or members of IFC (fraternities).
As a recruiter for my chapter’s Spring 2022 recruitment, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to not only be involved in an in-person recruitment, but to see what an in-person recruitment entails, as it was something I never got the chance to experience, and I can speak on behalf of many when I say that they were equally as excited.
However, in early January, Panhellenic announced that Spring 2022 formal recruitment was to be done virtually, as it was important to limit the spread of the virus.
Panhellenic posted four images on their Instagram story to inform everyone of the Covid-19 protocol and that formal recruitment was moved to Zoom.
The images are shown below:
Thankfully, the sororities were able to be in-person (with masks), on Preference Round, and Bid Day, after days passed where we were on Zoom. In the end, everything worked out, and the girls who were going through recruitment got to run home.
About a month after the sororities had their online recruitment, Chico State’s affiliated fraternities posted via Instagram (shown below), their Spring rush schedules for their prospective new members. Their Spring rush being, in person.
The rules in which fraternities and sororities must abide by are very different, and quite unjust. As upsetting as this makes me, it comes to no surprise. One deals with groups of men, while the other deals with groups of women. The men that are in fraternities withstand what seems to be more lenient, “care-free” rules, whereas us women that are in sororities must follow stricter rules given out by Panhellenic and our chapter advisors.
This has nothing to do with Panhellenic, however. They do a lot for not only my chapter, but every other sorority on campus. If anything, these are National rules that have been around for decades. What this does have to do with, are the differences between sororities and fraternities when it comes to the rules and standards that are to be followed.
There is a double standard when it comes to the “purity” of IFC members. When it comes to members of sororities, if you’re wearing your Greek letters, it is rule number one to not be seen anywhere where alcohol is present, whether or not you are of age. However, fraternity members do not have to abide by the same rules. It is a double standard of the “pure pesona” that women are expected to carry themselves with– a persona that is not expected from men.
During sorority recruitment, there were things that we were told not to say or talk about when recruiting. This includes, boys/ boyfriends, alcohol/ any form of paraphernalia, and parties.
During fraternity rush, as you can see on Sigma Chi’s post above, their last day of rush included “Steaks and Cigars.” On the posts for Kappa Sigma and Lambda Chi Alpha, one of their days included a tailgate, which, by definition, is “a social event held on and around the open tailgate of a vehicle often involving the consumption of alcohol.”
Double standard.
Now, please note that the point of this post isn’t to call out these fraternities, they’re just my example of the double standards.
Every fraternity on campus was able to host an in-person rush, only a month after sororities’ online recruitment. Members of sororities are expected to be “pure” and “innocent”, while IFC members do not carry this expectation. The regulations between the two contrast, which develops the question, “Why?” Why didn’t the fraternities have a virtual rush? Why were they allowed to have an in-person rush? Why are there double standards for fraternities and sororities?
I wish I knew.
Covid-19 is a more than valid reason for why sororities had to be booted online. I am overly certain that Covid did not disappear within a month.
The only reasonings I can think of derive from the differences in gender and gender assumptions. How I see it, being a part of Greek life has many perks– you find the people that you may be friends with for years to come, you share experiences with these people and build many bonds, and that fraternities and sororities hold a main purpose: each and every one of them withhold a specific charity/ philanthropy, and it is important to utilize the resources of the members to help these organizations. If the goal is to raise money and awareness, where, why, and how did all of these double standards and differentiating rules and assumptions arise?
If you Google, “frat guy,” and click on images, almost all of the photos include college boys drinking alcohol, or are of a party scene. If you Google, “sorority girl,” you see girls in matching outfits, holding Starbucks drinks, and posing for pictures.
This goes to show that this whole double-standard/ inequalities between how sorority members and fraternity members are viewed and expected to behave goes well beyond Chico State.
Many people already have preconceived notions on “sorority girls” and “frat guys.” One being people who are “preppy, popular, pretty, skinny, social, etc.” While the other being “hyper masculine, aggressive, drinks a lot, etc.”
Now, after you get to know people who are in Greek life, you see first hand that these stereotypes aren’t necessarily true. Everyone I’ve met in Greek life, every “sorority girl” and every “frat guy,” have been genuine, good people. But this still doesn’t erase the fact that the differences between the two groups are prevalent, whether or not that be within Chico State or outside of it, due to gender discrimination and stereotyping.
Not only is it unfair, it really makes you think; “Why?”
I wish I knew.