Sorority Girl

So They’ve Joined a Sorority

Congratulations! Your daughter has found a place to call home even with recruitment being done virtually. And, while their social activities may be limited, being in a sorority opens the door to so many wonderful experiences. I made some of my greatest friends when I was in a sorority at UF. They continue to be a part of my life through all of my ups and downs, good times, and bad. To this day, some of them are among my closest friends. With Facebook, I have been able to reconnect with so many more. We have a tradition of meeting up in Gainesville for football games and sorority reunions and even gather locally to keep the fun and friendship alive.

Each sorority is a little different. Some of the differences include whether they live together in the house, how they share their meals, or if have specific academic, philanthropic, and social requirements. And, with meals typically eaten at the house, if they were already enrolled in a university meal plan, the universities have plans in place.

Sorority Wear

Be prepared for an entire wardrobe change for your student as she is absorbed into her new “family.” The members are often seen wearing frat tanks (some girls sell their collection for as little as $5 a shirt), sorority shirts, sweatshirts, jewelry, and more. They proudly sport their sorority’s letters or names, although some new members are not allowed to wear the letters until after initiation.

Over the years, I have purchased sorority gifts for them, mainly at orientation. Between Big/Little, Orientation, and Bid Day, my girls have accumulated jewelry, water bottles, stationery, wall signs, and so much more. I know that eventually, their decorating tastes will change once they have graduated and gone off adulting. But seeing them enjoy this bond with so many young women, and appreciating the impact the sorority makes during and beyond their college years, makes my expenditure on all this signature memorabilia well worth the cost.

Should you decide to get them a sorority gift, we have some suggestions:

Family and Philanthropy

While it is a big part of their reason for joining, being in a sorority is not just about the social aspect. Many of the sororities require their members to participate in philanthropy as well. Community outreach and learning to help those in need are core tenets. Happily, they are also expected to keep up their grades. Each sorority loves to be able to brag about having the highest GPA among all the sororities.

Many sororities not only have Family Weekends every year, but they also host Mother-Daughter and Father-Daughter Weekends. These Weekends typically rotate each year. Different sororities choose to hold their Family Weekends in either the fall or the spring.

Most colleges are extremely strict today when it comes to drinking, and even more so about hazing. I am not going to sugar coat this; it does happen. The university makes every effort to stop such behavior in its tracks. Sororities have been put on probation for alcohol consumption and not allowed to have any socials. Your daughter should NEVER feel pressured to do something that makes her feel uncomfortable. You can read about each university’s position and policies by clicking on your student’s university.

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