At the University of Idaho, many choose Greek life for its unique living experience. More specifically, many choose to be part of sororities. All too often, sorority life can be diminished to stereotypes, but, in truth, life in these is shaped by leadership opportunities, lifelong friendships and countless odd stories to tell.
There are 10 sororities on the UI campus, which are all governed by the Panhellenic Council. Kylie Smith, the 2020 Panhellenic president, said she gained a deeper understanding of what the sorority experience means in this role, and had no idea how many opportunities Greek life would provide her. As the president for Gamma Phi Beta, she traveled to Texas and California, and as the Panhellenic president she traveled to Indiana for leadership conferences.
“I had no idea those things would be a part of Greek life,” Smith said, “It’s a really good feeling knowing you belong to something bigger than yourself.”
Aside from leadership though, there can be some odd times in sorority life.
It was 10:30 p.m. and the doorbell rang at Kappa Delta sorority. A group of women were watching movies in the living room. “I’ll get the door,” Colby West said. She opened the door to find a woman she had never seen before. The woman said, “Hello I’m a Kappa Delta alumna and my plans for where I was saying the night fell through. Can I stay in the guest room?” She began making her way inside and chatted with the women in the living room. Then the unknown woman made her way to the kitchen to get water and headed towards the guest room.
Because the guest room was locked, one of the women offered to let the stranger spend the night on her day bed. After being in the facility for about 10 minutes, the woman was fast asleep, West said. The women decided to call the chapter president to inform her, but when the president asked for the woman’s full name and pledge class the women looked at each other unsure. They knew nothing about this woman they had let into their home.
The president asked the women to pull an all-nigher in the living room together and to tell the unknown woman to leave when she woke up.
After watching eight movies, they woke up the unknown woman at 6:30 a.m. and asked her to leave. But first they asked for her full name and pledge class. Once they knew, they walked to the 2005 composite and the unknown woman was not pictured. The panicked women ran to the 2006 composite and surely enough there she was.
“It was actually one of the best experiences in the house,” West said. “We all got to know each other a lot more. (But) now I’m not allowed to answer the door after 9 p.m.”
In another unexpected sorority experience, Rylie Frei described the bonding experience of almost being struck by lightning in another country with your sorority sisters.
Frei describes herself as a “yes-man” because she is always down for an adventure. As Labor Day weekend approached, Frei and her sisters decided to go to Canada. After their classes, they began their eight-hour drive as it poured rain the entire way there. When they arrived at 10:00 p.m. the thunderstorms intensified, and they set up their tents in the storming dark. That night, the women got some sleep and prepared for an entire day of hiking. Then the next day, they hiked over 30 miles; Frei laughed about not being able to wear those shoes anymore. After the women ended their active day, and sat back in their tent, a bright orange flash lit their tent and heard the loudest boom they had ever heard in their lives. The women peeked their heads out to hear other people yelling and car alarms going off.
At this point, Frei called her mom and said, “Hey mom, I think I might die tonight.” Her mom responded by assuring her she would be fine and wouldn’t get struck by lightning, but Frei was convinced it was a possibility, she said.
“Those are some of the memories that my mom talks about.” Frei said. “When she was a senior (in college) her and all her pledge class took a trip to Mexico. “Canada isn’t Mexico, but it’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Performative actions like blowing glitter, wearing matching outfits and chanting does not reflect the true sorority experience. It is shaped through meaningful and unexpected experiences with sisters by your side.
Evelyn Avitia can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Eavitia_