Below is a post that was written for us in the fall by a current sorority sister. She does a great job describing the uniqueness of our Greek organizations and the caring, compassionate, and Christ-oriented community that is sought through the Greek system here at Grove City College. -Grove City College Admissions
Many people are wary when they hear that Grove City College has Greek life on campus. Pop culture films and negative stereotypes come to mind when one thinks of sororities, but Grove City prides itself on being a distinctive school that cultivates an authentically Christian environment. Sororities on our campus are opportunities to join a close, Christian community that promotes friendship and service around campus.
As a junior sorority member on campus, I will be sharing what makes Grove City College’s Greek life different, as well as a little bit about my personal experience in Greek life.
A benefit of being a “local” group is that our history is unique to the students and alumnae of the college, which creates a tight-knit community of sisters. Instead of a pledge class of 70+ girls where you might not ever meet everyone, you will know every girl in your class (usually 20 or under). You are able to develop relationships with every girl in the sorority and feel like part of a close community. Another benefit of local sororities is that our dues are much lower in comparison to national sororities. Part of this is due to the fact that we do not pay dues first to the “chapter” of the sorority (the section of the national sorority that is at a particular school), and then to the “national” group. On average, a girl joining a national sorority will pay $1,280 per semester, not including housing and other extra costs. At Grove City College, every group pays under $100 per semester for dues; even as low as $20 per semester! As a “poor college student,” I really appreciate the difference!
One of the reasons that our dues are less expensive is also because unlike many national sororities, Grove City College does not have sorority housing OR off-campus housing. All full-time students are required to live on campus, as per the college’s rules. What the College does offer instead is the chance to live in a fellowship community on the same residence hall. This is called “Community Living Privileges.” Every two years, each group on campus presents their case for why they should be allowed to continue to have the privilege of living on a sorority/fraternity/housing group hall. This includes sharing how they have given back to the college and the community, as well as showing how they have abided by the school’s rules and values.
Getting ready for events on campus is one of the most fun things to do on a sorority hall; everyone is swapping dresses and doing hair and flitting in and out of each other’s rooms. Being together while doing even the most mundane of things makes anything and everything fun!
Whether it’s playing music on the hall and having an impromptu dance party, ensuing in a harmless prank war, or loading up cars and heading out to a local restaurant for a fun girls’ night out, I always have fun with my sisters! Some of my favorite memories of my time at college have been ordering a pizza and hanging out in a dorm room with some of my sisters, crafting and watching a movie.
Student author Emily Owen is a junior Psychology major with minors in Biology and Family Studies and is an active Sister of Grove City College’s Zeta Zeta Zeta Sorority. A local of Western PA, she hails from Cranberry Township, PA and offers this advice for students walking through the college search:
“Don’t be afraid to ask about things that you’re interested in, whether that’s research, Greek Life, or different clubs. If you know that there’s something you want to be involved in while in college, make sure that schools have what you are looking for.”