The “girls in pearls and guys in ties” stereotype doesn’t wholeheartedly fit the Virginia Tech Greek community. While outsiders may see the campus chapters as shallow, vapid creatures, which pay for friends and drink until dawn, I can assure you most of us are deeper than our Lily prints may imply.
The idea that sorority women and fraternity men do nothing more than party and drink alcohol is a misconception.
Panhellenic Council ensures campus organizations uphold the motto of Tech: "That I May Serve."
Campus sororities and fraternities raise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to give to philanthropic causes and donate their time toward service, both in the community and in more remote parts of the world.
During the recruitment process for campus women, a philanthropy round is included wherein sororities can showcase their noble causes.
Positive contribution to society is a major aspect of the Tech campus and all of its organizations are expected to embody the same values. Greek life on campus strives to instill altruistic ideals in all its members and participation in Greeks Giving Back and Relay for Life are two major events that promote service.
The picture of the average Greek on campus is usually a fallacy, a delusion created by nonessential bias. The pristine, tall blonde in a sundress and pearls isn’t found in every house.
Women at Tech don’t draw on your unflattering areas with magic marker, fraternity men aren’t asked to rank the new girls, and large amounts of alcohol aren’t force-fed to you. While the women's recruitment process may seem harsh and judgemental, it is just an ancillary tool to place women in the chapter where they would best relate to their sisters. Sororities are genuinely about sisterhood, service and community; little regard is given to vain concepts and superficial conduct.
The reason anyone should join a Greek organization is to find a sense of family and comfort on such a large campus. Going Greek is a great opportunity for growth, friendship and self-betterment.