WHO IS MAGGIE AND ANDREW??????? ALSO DO LAST NAMES. 

As of fall 2018, there are:

• 61 chapters on campus
• 41 chapters with on-campus dwellings
• 26 chapters that are fraternities (IFC)
• 17 chapters that are sororities (CPC)
• 9 chapters that are multicultural based (MGC)
• 6 chapters that are historically Black international greek-letter organizations (NPHC)

The greek chapters at Iowa State campus range from nationwide organizations to campus-specific. A majority of the chapters on campus welcome all students of the university to go through their recruitment. Other chapters that are culturally or academically-oriented and traditionally recruit members based on their area of study or their culture. For example, Alpha Gamma Rho, better known as AGR, only recruits men who are a part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Why did you decide to go greek?

Kelly Romano, Delta Zeta, freshman: I thought it would be a good way to find my friend group. I really just wanted to make close friends right away and I definitely got that through Delta Zeta.

Andrew Morey, Sigma Phi Epsilon, freshman: I didn’t know anyone going into college. My brother and my mom were both in greek life.

Cassie Bond, Gamma Phi Beta, sophomore: It was a new way to get involved at Iowa State. My mom was in a sorority and strongly encouraged it. I ended up loving it on the first day of recruitment.

Hunter Meils, Delta Upsilon, freshman: I didn’t really know anyone coming into college [and] my mom was greek also.

Reese Virden, Delta Tau Delta, freshman: Honestly, a lot of my friends were and I had heard a lot of good things about the fraternity I wanted to join.

What was your rush experience like?

Maggie Gamble, Delta Zeta, freshman: I was super nervous at first. I didn’t really know what it would be like, especially because you hear so many stories, but it was such a great experience. It’s where I found most of my closest friends that I still have.

Andrew: It was very relaxed. I did the IFC experience and that was really beneficial because I got to talk to everyone I wanted to. I visited a lot of chapters because I wanted to experience all of my possibilities.

Cassie: It was a lot more personal evaluation. It’s really just a process of finding a chapter that matches your values. It was a really long week but definitely worth it.

Hunter: I visited a lot of different chapters and decided to join my chapter from the way I fit in with the rest of the guys.

Reese: I got to tour a lot of houses and meet a lot of new people. It was really cool.

What do you wish you would’ve known while going through recruitment?

Jess Lillibridge, Delta Zeta, freshman: To take off your heels while you’re walking between chapters.

Maggie: Trust the process. It gets annoying when people say that, but you really just need to trust the process.

Kelly: Just to be yourself. Sometimes I felt like I was trying too hard and it is better to be yourself because that way you’ll find where you’re meant to be.

Andrew: That it’s not necessarily which one is the “best chapter,” it’s about which chapter is the best for you.

Cassie: That there’s not one perfect chapter for a person, a person can fit into a number of different chapters. I wish I would’ve known to go in with an open mind.

Hunter: That you can take your time. You don’t need to rush in.

Reese: That the guys are way more accepting than you would think. I was way more nervous than I should’ve been.

How have you been involved through your chapter?

Maggie: We do a lot of community service. Last semester I did Yell Like Hell and just involved myself in different opportunities to meet the people in my chapter.

Andrew: I’m the philanthropy chair. It was really easy to get involved right away.

Cassie: I’ve run for a lot of committees and now I’m on executive council. I was only initiated this year, so it was easy to get involved right away.

Hunter: I’ve done a lot of community service. Also, things during homecoming and Greek week like Yell Like Hell and Lip Sync.

Reese: I participate in Greek Week events and philanthropy events and I do community service. I plan to be a lot more involved next year, but there’s always opportunities to apply yourself.

What do you think of the bad stigmas that revolve around greek life?

Jess: I think they’re not accurate here at Iowa State. I thought that people, especially girls, would be stereotypical but everyone I’ve met has been the opposite. Everyone is so nice and welcoming.

Andrew: I think a select few make it hard for the majority of greek life and give it the bad reputation it currently has.

Cassie: The Iowa State sorority and fraternity community is really proactive. We have really strict anti-hazing policies, we have educational seminars for our new members and many other things. It makes it a really safe community here at Iowa State.

Hunter: The media makes it look a lot worse than it really is, at Iowa State at least. Greek life is a lot more harmless than people think.

Reese: A lot of people think greek life is all about drinking and partying, but in reality it’s about meeting new people and creating memories. Creating a positive environment for the community, raising money for charities and overall bettering yourself as a person.

How do you pay for the expenses of being a member?

Jess: I donate plasma through BioLife.

Andrew: I worked through high school to save up money for college.

Cassie: I worked a lot in high school so that I could have a comfortable life in college. There are financial plans to help pay the dues of a lot of chapters.

Hunter: My parents help me with the expenses.

Reese: Working a job and taking out loans through the university. I worked in high school since I was 16 and have been a waiter at a sorority.

How do you balance your greek life and your education?

Kelly: I feel like greek life actually helps my grades. I feel like maybe I wouldn’t care that much about grades if I wasn’t in a sorority. We used to have study hour sessions that really helped.

Andrew: Greek life helps motivate me to do better in my school. It’s almost like a team aspect because you’re being held accountable by your chapter to do well in school.

Cassie: The two are really intertwined, especially when you’re living in. We are here to be students first and it’s easy to make that the #1 priority.

Hunter: Work hard, play hard.

Reese: I have a really demanding major and greek life has helped with my education. A lot of guys are in similar classes as me, so we all help each other through them.

What is your favorite part of being in your chapter?

Maggie: I do so many weird and fun things that I would never do if I wasn’t involved. You always have someone to do something with.

Andrew: The opportunities it gives me. I wouldn’t know what I could do. A lot of the things I do are through the fraternity and there’s always something new I do that I wouldn’t do otherwise.

Cassie: I came from a high school with a graduating class of 50 people, so it gives me a sense of belonging in a school as big as Iowa State.

Hunter: The friendships.

Reese: The people that I’m around and overall the environment.

Do you have a favorite memory of being in your chapter? What is it?

Jess: I’d say semi-formal because the entire chapter got together, and we just had a great time getting to know each other. Also, Greek Week. I did not expect it to be that fun.

Andrew: My first week here was my favorite because you get to meet everybody and experience fast brotherhood.

Cassie: On our Founder’s Day, we had alumnae of Gamma Phi Beta in attendance who graduated going all the way back to the 1940s. It was really fun to see all those generations come together.

Hunter: Work Week. It was a good opportunity to grow closer with the members of my fraternity.

Reese: Just staying up late and having great conversations with people in the chapter.

Would you recommend greek life to incoming ISU students?

Jess: Yes. I say if you’re on the verge trying to decide if you want to rush, just do it. You don’t have to commit right away. Just see how you like it.

Maggie: Absolutely. I feel like a lot of people who never expect to fit into greek life end up loving it. There’s a place for everyone.

Kelly: Yes, I think I’d hate college if I didn’t.

Andrew: Yes, for sure. I wouldn’t know half the people I do now without joining my fraternity.

Cassie: Oh, 100 percent.

Hunter: Yes, absolutely. My younger brother is coming next year and I’m really encouraging him to rush. Hey, Connor.

Reese: To every single Iowa State student, yes. It will help you with making friends, academics and enjoying college.