During the first weeks of the semester, walking through the Student Union can be an adventure, with tables everywhere, promoting various groups and organizations.
Of the students who gravitate towards the information booths about sororities and fraternities, some see becoming a member of a Greek organization as an opportunity to form lasting friendships, while others don't think being a Greek is worth the effort.
"I'm thinking about (joining a sorority) because you make new friends, do lots of activities and you make sisters for life," said Lindsey Pashlay, a freshman psychology major. "I might check it out during rush week."
While some students get involved in Greek life for amity, others believe friendship alone is not reason enough become involved.
"It's too much money, too stupid," said Ivo Valchev, an international graduate economics student. "Friendship (should not) cost so much."
"I would never join. Sororities are just a cover for insecure students who want to stay in a clique; (they) want to belong," said Jennifer Mages a senior majoring in psychology. "People want to glorify college in way that doesn't have a basis in reality."
Though meeting new friends can be exciting, for those who join for that particular purpose, fraternities have more to offer than camaraderie, said Aaron Lohman, a junior marketing major and a member of Sigma Pi.
"Fraternities hold several fundraisers, community service projects and do a lot of philanthropy," he said. "It's not all about parties."
According to Pamela Stephens-Jackson, university liaison for the office of Greek Affairs, many of the fraternities and sororities provide educational workshops for all UB students, faculty and staff. Topics have included current events, politics, domestic violence and gender issues.
UB's Web site for Greek Affairs projected an estimated $15,500 dollars raised in philanthropic projects and 3,217 hours given to community service during the 2001-2002 school year.
While most Greek organizations place a focus on community involvement, the camaraderie and social aspects appeal to some students.
Rich Coia, a sophomore math major and a pre-med student said that were it not for his difficult classes and a heavy workload, he would be interested in joining a fraternity with a laid-back party atmosphere.
"They look like a lot of fun, maybe if I had an easier major they'd possibly be for me," said Coia. "I would look for a frat that was into having a lot of fun, rather than being strict with a lot of rules and rituals - the deciding factor would be what kind of parties they throw."
While Coia is drawn to the party scene Mages believes the real heroes are the students who are "busting their a**** just to get by" and college is not about trying to belong and fit in; it is about doing something that will make a difference in the world.
Some students said they were leery of Greek life because of possible hazing incidents. Last year Sigma Chi Omega was suspended from the university on allegations of hazing.
"I would rather not join a social sorority because hazing does exist," said Basirat Shoberu, a junior pharmacy major. "If I were to join any sorority it would be a professional one where the focus is on academics and not social, so hazing would not happen."
Students like Yasin Davila, a junior aerospace engineering and physics major, believe that hazing is a major part of most Greek initiations. Davila said he heard stories from friends about what goes on during Greek initiation processes, and he believes they could be harmful.
"Sororities have forced newcomers to do lines of coke and march at four o'clock in the morning in the freezing cold," said Davila about what he heard from friends.
UB officials said hazing is illegal and strictly prohibited within the university.
"It doesn't matter what anyone's attitude is about hazing," said Stephens-Jackson. "It is against the law and if anyone is caught hazing they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law."
Despite allegations of hazing and other criticisms, Robert Pollack, a senior business major and a fraternity brother of Sigma Pi, said Greek life has good things to offer.
"Fraternity basically comes down to making a connection with countless other people you would have never met."
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
