Greek life is expanding. As a proud member of a Greek organization, I am thrilled that more college-aged students are choosing to join a community that I’ve cherished the past three years. As a member of Delta Delta Delta, I’ve been able to meet hundreds of people outside of my own initial freshman-year friend circle. Not only was I able to befriend the women in my own organization, but I’ve made close bonds to women in other sororities and men in various fraternities. As one becomes more entwined in Greek life, the networking web builds and expands.

But is quantity worth more than quality in today’s world? As a journalism major, knowing a vast number of diverse individuals is beneficial when seeking sources for stories, are these surface-level relationships truly valuable?

The average sorority has around 150 women and it’s easy to occasionally feel lost within your own house. If you don’t live in your Greek house or if you don’t have an officer position, having reasons to be involved may be scarce. 

From my experience as Vice President of Membership, I know that a lot of students desire to go Greek to find friends. Not just friends, but best friends. Seeking sorority sisters that will be bridesmaids in their wedding. Finding fraternity brothers that will be their right-hand-man until their own sons join their old house. It’s that “forever” type of relationship.

Joining an established organization with potentially hundreds of members isn’t easy. Your bid card doesn’t have the name of your future best friend on the front. You won’t walk in the door of your new home holding hands with them and they may not even be in your pledge class.

It takes work seeking out that special group of friends in a sea of other members (especially when you can’t even remember half of their names when you first join). It takes time meeting everyone, finding out their different personalities and spending time getting to know them. 

Even when you are at a point when you recognize names and faces, these surface-level relationships don’t form the same quality connection as a best friend. Yes, you may have 150 friends, but do you have bonds with members that will continue long after college graduation?

I am challenging all of the members of Greek life to go beyond these surface-level relationships. Get to know the members of your chapter on a deeper level. Create the relationships you want by getting to know your brothers or sisters. Spend time with them. Love them. Ultimately, Greek organizations were meant to bring together individuals with similar values and traditions. 

Remember; being a brother or sister is more than being a friend. We’re family.