The cons:

All summer, I’ve been bombarded with questions about whether or not I am going to rush. Honestly, I didn’t even know what “rushing” meant, so I shook my head and went on with my day. Since arriving on campus, I’ve pondered the benefits of joining Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL). At DU, every organization that I’ve encountered thus far have seemed inclusive, fun and devoted to their beliefs. So, that begged the question: Is FSL the same?

I did a little research on the pros and cons in general. The first thing that I noticed was that joining a fraternity or sorority can be extremely pricey. The price of membership varies between different chapters at different schools, but it can cost up to $1000  on factors like chapter dues and insurance. Depending on a student’s personal financial situation, joining FSL may put unnecessary burden on their families. Personally, I don’t think that I could afford to join a fraternity if it put me even more in debt. The fees — both the upfront costs and the hidden ones, such as apparel and formal events — are something to consider before jumping into FSL.

Another aspect of fraternity/sorority life that made me wary was the idea of hazing. I’ve always heard that hazing is essentially humiliation as a form of initiation. Hollywood has casually depicted hazing as a bunch of buff jocks forcing skinny pledges to do embarrassing acts, like excessive drinking or streaking through the quad. The intense desire to fit in somewhere pushes pledges to do whatever it takes to get in the fraternity or sorority, which leaves room for seemingly harmless activities to turn into dangerous hazing. It doesn’t happen everywhere and there are hazing bans all around the country, but being cognizant about the potential dangers of hazing is important before joining FSL.

I don’t think that I’ll be joining a fraternity, at least this year. It’s not because FSL is scary, or that it doesn’t have any benefits. In fact, I believe that there are countless pros to joining a fraternity or sorority. I don’t think that I’d personally thrive in a frat, but for those that are considering it, I advise you to be well-informed about the organizations that you’re looking into.

-Connor Rodenbeck

The pros:

I’ve never believed the sorority stereotypes portrayed in movies or television shows. I’ve always thought, “There has to be more to it, right?” After watching friends post their rush week pictures on their Instagrams and seeing the relationship “big” and “small” sisters have, I was intrigued by what FSL had to offer an individual and a university’s community.

Yes, FSL is expensive. Yes, some chapters participate in hazing. (Luckily, DU has a strict policy against hazing.) But, there are several benefits to being inducted as a fraternity brother or sorority sister.

I’ve been in a class with two young sorority women for about two weeks now, and I can tell you one thing: they are thrilled about recruitment weekend. This made me realize the sense of community FSL cultivates. Houses are welcoming and excited to gain new members, and they want to help each other become their best selves. After listening in on a Rho Gamma conversation at the library café Wednesday night, I realized how willing current members are to assist potential sisters. They offered to look at their outfit choices for the weekend, make accommodations for any conflicts and would even send morning messages to ensure the recruitees were on schedule for the day.

Additionally, students committed to FSL must maintain at least a 2.2 GPA and be in Good Standing with DU; this encourages brothers and sisters to be accountable for their academic pursuits. So, if you’re looking for a community that’s invested in the growth and success of each other, joining a chapter might be a good option.

It’s not just individual growth that chapters are interested in either; they want to have an influence on a community. On DU’s campus, all sororities are devoted to fundraising for a picked philanthropy. For instance, Chi Omega’s charity is the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Tri-Delta donates to the St. Jude’s Research Hospital. Philanthropy offers members the chance to immerse themselves in their communities and to commit to something meaningful. It also builds a sense of selflessness and gratitude which are necessary to becoming strong, independent leaders. Therefore, if you believe in giving to a cause or you’re passionate about making the world a better place through philanthropic means, participating in FSL would make a good fit for you.

-Madalyne Heiken

So, to go through recruitment or not?

Here’s the thing about FSL: it’s not for everyone. But, it is for a lot of people. If you are one of those people, you will no doubt benefit from the community, philanthropy and inclusivity that comes with joining a fraternity or sorority. The key is to be aware of the pros and cons of FSL and only joining if it’ll be a good fit for you personally.