Going Greek: Students weigh cost of committing to Greek organizations during recruitment

At Central Michigan University, there are 32 Greek organizations, including sororities, fraternities and multicultural chapters. 

Recruitment began Sept. 13 for fraternities, and Sept. 18 for sororities. While other students might not understand the allure of Greek organizations, those already involved or going through recruitment say Greek Life at CMU holds values that match their own. The recruitment process is thorough, because students are encouraged to keep an open mind and find the organization that's right for them.  

Chesterfield sophomore Samantha Pleiness said both her siblings were in the same sorority when they attended CMU, but she's trying to learn about other chapters as she goes through the recruitment process.

"I'm trying not to sway that way if there's one that is a better fit for me," Pleiness said. "I want to meet lifelong friends. When I was a freshman I used to look at the Greeks and think 'they're all the same,' but then I met more people who are actually in (Greek Life) and it changed my mind." 

Those going through recruitment have a lot to think about when choosing their new home. While an enriching experience for some, there are costs associated with being a member of Greek Life that aren't just financial. Managing time commitments and facing harmful stereotypes make the choice to "Go Greek" a heavy one. 

The Cost of Commitment

Pleiness said she knew Greek Life was expensive, because her sisters went through the same process she is now beginning.

Pleiness came prepared.

"I worked a buttload this summer because I know it's not cheap," she said. "But I want to learn more about myself and be more involved on campus." 

Pleiness was right to keep the financial responsibility in mind; there are many small costs associated with Greek Life, which could add up to a big bill by the end of a semester. Dues for Greek organizations are usually between $400-$600 per semester. 

Greek Life Coordinator Katrina Crawford said Greeks are open with recruits about these costs from the start. 

"Each chapter has payment plans that they talk about during recruitment," she said. "They lay it all out for you--we are very up front about it." 

Crawford also said the price of semesterly dues depend on the organization's national chapters. 

Some costs students may need to think about are new member fees, initiation fees, chapter dues, Panhellenic dues, sweetheart apparel, Greek Week dues, formal ticket fees and senior farewell costs. 

A student's first semester in Greek Life could end up costing more than $1,000, after paying to be recognized by the organization's national chapter and purchasing a badge, but their first fee is a $60 required payment to be considered a potential new member.  

Greek students usually end up paying more for their undergraduate experience, shouldering the financial burden of being a member in addition to the cost of college tuition. While fraternity men may have less specific guidelines on what to wear to certain events, women dish out more for formal wear, recruitment outfits, letters and gifts for their Big or Little. 

While searching for her sisterhood, Battle Creek senior Kailee Lewis was worried about the cost of Greek Life. She said she fell in love with her organization, and after that money was never a second thought.

The Zeta Phi Beta member said she believes the cost of Greek Life may hinder students from joining if they don't discuss it with current members. The National Panhellenic Council organizations prefer to discuss financial matters "behind closed doors," Lewis said, at what is referred to as "informationals."

"Usually within the NPHC events, Greeks don't have to pay unless we are traveling to a different campus," she said. "And even there, a lot of time it's a discounted price because of your fellow Greeks on that campus." 

Throughout recruitment, potential new members are encouraged to ask specific questions about costs to their Gamma Chi, a member of Greek Life who disaffiliates from her sorority to help new members find one that's right for them. Each organization talks about the costs associated with joining and explains what its semester dues go to, as well as time commitments and grade point average requirements for their organization.

Potential members are told to ask about payment plans, because most chapters have them. Sisters already involved are paying to be involved in Greek Life, so new members can learn how to balance their budgets. 

Intangible costs

Committing to a Greek organization associated with stereotypes most members have learned to deal with.

Oak Park senior Raheem Kareem, a member of Beta Theta Pi, said people who aren't involved in Greek Life make many assumptions about those who are.

"Some people think we think we're better (than them), or that we pay for our friends, or that we're a drinking club," Kareem said. "But we care about a lot of different things on campus."

Each Greek organization has a designated philanthropic cause it fundraises for. During recruitment, potential members are encouraged to talk to current members about their philanthropies and what it means to volunteer. While new members may not be passionate about certain issues upon joining Greek Life, members say passion will grow upon learning more about the cause.

During Greek Week last year, organizations collectively raised more than $50,000 for the Angel Wings Fund, which donates college scholarships to children who have lost a parent to breast cancer. This was the largest amount of money Greeks at CMU have ever raised. 

Each Greek member must fulfill a required number of volunteer hours. Through a partnership established four years ago with the city of Mount Pleasant, Greeks participate in "Greeks Clean the Streets." After this year's Welcome Weekend, 53 members collected 66 bags of trash from Bellows to High Street and Douglas to Lansing Street. 

Kareem said going Greek also helped him become more confident and comfortable pursuing his goals throughout college, as the president of Google CMU.

"Going Greek made me into a leader," he said. "I would have never had the confidence to do a lot of the things I'm doing before Greek Life. If people don't know what it's all about, maybe they should check it out for themselves." 

Potential Greek members do know about stereotypes associated with Greek Life, but some insist being a member isn't always what it seems.

"They do get stereotyped, but people have to look at the bigger picture and everything they really do," said Brighton freshman Lisha Rodgers.

Even with facing stereotypes, those involved in Greek Life have noticed having the connection helps when finding a job after graduation.

Kayla Curran, an alumna of CMU and Delta Phi Epsilon, works at her sorority's headquarters, overseeing all of the chapters to make sure they're being run properly. Through her work as a collegiate development consultant, she continues to promote the values she developed in her nearly four years of involvement in Greek Life.

"I like being able to empower women on a daily basis," Curran said. "I'm able to continue being passionate about this organization." 

Her sorority's philanthropy helped Curran overcome body issues she had throughout college, she said. Delta Phi Epsilon plans events about and donates funding to Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders.

"Joining Greek Life and having the constant support is something that personally helped me," she said. "I know that I wouldn't be who I am without Delta Phi Epsilon and what they support and stand for." 

Another Greek alumna, Emily Schwarzkopf, said having Greek participation on her resume has shown she has leadership skills and is able to interact with many different personality types. Schwarzkopf works at the Michigan House of Democrats as an appropriations coordinator. 

"Because I'm working in politics, relationship building is a key part of my job," she said. "Going through recruitment, with the different personalities you encounter, you learn to handle different kinds of people. The ability to talk about anything played a key (role) in my professional life."