Commentary

POSTED AT 06:20 PM ON Oct. 4, 2012  (UPDATED AT 06:21 PM ON Oct. 4, 2012)

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I used to be in a sorority.

I’m not anymore. And I’m incredibly happy.

One year ago, I was living in a house on campus, and I decided to quit.

That I was ever in a house at all is surprising to many people I know.

I wasn’t your typical sorority girl, but I had a good run. I joined a house freshman year and continued as a member through the first semester of my junior year.

Then, I hit a roadblock.

Sororities, for those who haven’t already deduced this, are very expensive. I’m very poor.

By last year, I was running out of money and facing the fact that I simply could not afford to live in the house anymore. When I had to take out a private loan just to pay my house bills so the national organization would stop sending collection agencies after me, I knew it was time to leave.

The one time I needed sisterhood, understanding and the support girls preached about at recruitment, it really wasn’t there.

Frankly, when I became too poor to be in the house, the national organization made it clear they were more than happy to see me go.

These organizations are run like businesses, you see, and I wasn’t a paying customer.  
When I joined a house, it was because I believed everything girls said at recruitment. I thought the most important thing really was sisterhood and that all the girls in my pledge class would truly become my best friends.

In the end, none of that happened. I left after four semesters without having really gained anything.

I made one or two good friends and a few pleasant acquaintances, and I lost about $15,000 in the process. Now, I hardly ever talk to those people.

Maybe it’s because I spent so much time in the greek system that I can truly appreciate life outside of it.

I can understand both lifestyles and both perspectives now, and I can say without hesitation that I am many times happier as a GDI.

I live my life by my own rules. I don’t have to worry about constantly shifting, arbitrary social tiers or doing things I don’t want to do or don’t believe in for the good of the sorority.

I no longer worry about the daily dramas of living in a house with about 100 girls. I have my own room in a house that I chose with roommates I chose.

And I’m doing all of this for about half the cost of living in the sorority.

Sure, I don’t have anyone setting up my social life anymore, but now, by my senior year, I don’t really need that. I don’t need paired parties and mandatory house events. I’m in a happy relationship, and I have great friends that I made on my own.

I’m defining my own life.

Some people love their sororities and will vehemently disagree with everything I’m saying. They all have valid points, because it’s different for every person in every sorority.

It wasn’t for me.

And, a year later, I’m so glad I wasn’t too afraid to just quit.

­— kelfritz@indiana.edu