Since the beginning of the semester, fraternities and sororities have been hosting multiple informal recruitment activities, such as barbeques, poker games and pizza parties. Formal recruitment began on Sept. 17 for women and Sept. 20 for men.

Normally, formal recruitment is a three-night ordeal where potential new members are given the opportunity to meet current members and tour the houses, learning what Greek life is all about.

Greek Advisor Lindsey Hunzelman reports that, on average, approximately 25 percent of the Simpson community will be Greek by the completion of recruitment. This number remains high because several of the Greek houses try to go one-on-one on the recruiting, with every current member trying to recruit one new member.

Students are drawn to the Greek community for various reasons.

“Being involved in Greek life provides multiple networking opportunities, motivation to do well academically and 30-40 new friends right away,” said senior Joe Meyer, a current member of Alpha Tao Omega and member of the Interfraternity Council.

Sophomore Suzy Anderson, a member of Delta Delta Delta, agrees.

“I have met so many girls that I might not have met if I didn’t go Greek,” Anderson said. “Each girl has a different story to tell that you can learn from.”

To many of its members, Greek life provides great friends as well as social and leadership skills. Anderson reports that Greek life has many leadership opportunities, such as heading an office in the house or on the Greek Panhellenic or Interfraternity Councils. Hunzelman notes that, additionally, those involved in Greek life are able to reach out to those in the surrounding area.

“One of our primary goals is strengthening of the community,” Hunzelman said. “We hope to find new and innovative ways to make that happen.”

Some current community work includes Delta Delta Delta’s work with St. Jude’s Hospital and Alpha Chi Omega’s work with groups attempting to prevent domestic violence.

Both Meyer and Anderson battle with the stigma that goes along with being involved in fraternities and sororities. Meyer would like to see more people go through recruitment instead of basing their decisions on stereotypes.

“Try it out for yourself and find out what fraternities and sororities are really all about,” Meyer said.

Anderson also voiced similar concerns about labels and stereotypes.

“Unless you have experienced Greek life you have no idea what it is all about and can’t fully understand what goes on in each house,” said Anderson.

Regardless of the stereotypes they may endure, the members of Greek life at Simpson are proud of their commitment to each other and the community.