Fraternity & Sorority Life changing college experience
Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) is an important part of the college experience for over 400 Mavericks at Minnesota State. The chapters create a community of leaders focused on academic excellence, volunteering for the community and personal growth.
Being a member of FSL on campus makes students feel welcomed and understood, as vice president of PR and marketing on Panhellenic Council Maryn Somerville stated. However, Somerville knows, freshmen may have different perceptions of the FSL based on the image presented via different media sources.
“I got a direct message from my sorority, and I really was not interested in Greek life at all. I’ve seen stuff on social media about this, and that is not how I vibe,” said Somerville. “And then I showed up and I talked with one of the girls, and I had a very heartfelt conversation. It really made me feel like I was understood.”
Somerville said one of the reasons she joined a sorority was philanthropy, which is the chapter’s chosen charity. Each fraternity and sorority chapter at MSU has philanthropy they work with and specific requirements for community service hours.
Sigma Sigma Sigma President Sofia Melendez has joined the chapter informally. She said the chapter was a great opportunity for her to feel the belonging on campus and meet people who they are now close friends with.
“I wanted to make a bigger impact, and I wanted to be a part of something that was bigger,” said Melendez. “I’m one of five kids. I have four brothers, and I’ve never had any sisters in my life, so I’d always been wanting that or looking for that. So to be able to join that group of girls and have my own group of sisters feels a lot like home for me when I’m living so far away from mine.”
Joshbir Bedi was invited to a recruitment event for the fraternity chapter Sigma Nu. He expected it to be a big party, as it is usually shown in the media. Nevertheless, when he arrived at the fraternity house, he found people he could have interesting conversations with.
“I’m a bit of a history geek. So, when I got there, I was talking to people and overheard one alumnus speaking to someone about Indian history and European history for an hour straight,” said Bedi. “I thought that this was awesome. It’s people talking; it’s people making a connection. It’s not just people showing up, having fun, leaving and not doing anything, right?”
FSL works on many projects and events. The chapters organize educational events, casino nights, work with charities and much more. One of the events organized by FSL members is the annual dancing event, Mavathon, where donations are collected to help sick children.
Somerville said MSU’s greek life pays close attention to its members. The mid-sized campus allows FSL members to build stronger connections and achieve personal growth. Chapters meet with members at least once a week to discuss upcoming events, campus activities and organize educational sessions to aid members in their academic, career and personal goals.
Students can join a chapter they like anytime during the academic year. While the structured recruitment is to be over in the middle of September, students are welcome to review the chapters, meet people and join through informal recruitment.
Caption: Fraternity and Sorority on the event for the recruitment process (Courtesy Maryn Somerville)
Write to Amal.sharafkhodjaeva@mnsu.edu