Latest news with #sororities
News.com.au
2 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
Bama Rush Tok insider gives insight into cost of sorority life
Bama Rush Tok grips social media every August and September as people around the world watch 18-year-old students in Alabama attempt to get into the college sorority of their choice. Olivia, who went through the Alabama 'Bama Rush' sorority recruitment process, has given a peek behind the curtain into just how much it costs — and what fines the young women are at risk of copping if they put a toe out of line. 'What you might not know is that girls literally have to pay to rush, and then they have to pay dues to their sorority every single month — or every semester, depending on the sorority,' Olivia said. The US student said it wasn't cheap, and that just to go through the rush recruitment process costs $375 (AUD $572). It takes place the week before school starts, so there is an additional $180 (AUD $275) if you need to move in early. This doesn't include beauty or fashion costs that many of the hopeful young women accumulate in the hopes of 'dressing to impress'. Then, once you get in, you need to pay your dues. This can vary semester to semester, based on your sorority and has caveats such as whether you live inside the house or not. It typically includes meal plans. 'Your first semester in the sorority, your fees are always going to be higher because you have to pay initiation fees and new member fees,' Olivia said. She said the average cost for a first semester was $4280, which is roughly $6530. The higher end is $5240 (AUD $7995). It can be higher if you live in the sorority house, but it does include a meal plan, cleaning fees and general house maintenance. Olivia said this doesn't include the matching T-shirts or fines that people may cop. In a follow-up clip, she detailed exactly what students can be fined for, revealing a copy of the fine list she handed. Extra costs for details such as three T-shirts, costing $15 (AUD $23) a piece, and pictures, which cost $25 (AUD $38). If you missed any recruitment event, you'd be fined $100 (AUD $153). It would be the same if the women missed a fraternity event. If you missed a mandatory house event or skipped out on your house duties, it would equal a $50 (AUD $76) fine. If you flaked out on your service or study hours, it was $5 (AUD $8) for every hour that you missed. 'Activity points, which were points you had to collect to prove you're an active member of the sorority and active on the college campus, were $5 per point,' Olivia said. 'We had to get 120 points so imagine, if you only got half of that, how much you'd have to pay.' If your dues were late, it would be an extra $10 (AUD $15) and if the house got a violation from the university it would be an extra $100. The student said that you could get out of a sorority event if you emailed an excuse, and it would be approved or denied. Reasons such as going home to visit family and friends, studying and work were not considered valid excuses as, according to the sorority, those should have been scheduled around the events. People had big feelings about Olivia's insight into Bama Rush life. 'Sororities and fraternities are banned on my campus and I think I see why,' one person said. Another said: 'I don't understand.' 'No wonder people think US colleges are a joke,' one added. 'Tri Delta adviser here — we don't fine anymore! Tri Delta is phasing out fines nationally but the chapter I advise has never fined,' another shared. One person said: 'Groups usually send out a monthly, semesterly, or yearly calendar in advance. They share this with all members helps everyone feel included, informed, and ready to participate.' 'I had to miss three days of recruitment … because I had to work to pay my dues. I quit shortly after instead of paying anything more,' one shared.
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U of A ending rental agreements with on-campus fraternities, sororities
The University of Alberta is ending its rental agreements with fraternities and sororities, including some organizations that have been on campus for decades. Alpha Gamma Delta, a fraternity at the University of Alberta, has rented their house for 29 years, using the space as a home for five members and as a community hub. But in late April, Alpha Gamma Delta and six other Greek life organizations were told that the university would be terminating their rental agreements with no chance of renewal. In a statement given to CBC News, the U of A said that "maintaining these older homes to a standard that meets the modern needs of today's students is not sustainable, given increasing costs and inflationary pressures." The university said 27 students would be affected by the decision. For most organizations, their final lease will end on August 31, 2026, the U of A said. Quinn Tilling, president of Alpha Gamma Delta, told Edmonton AM that the school's reasoning was "frustrating." "I lived in our house for the last semester of this previous year and I could count on one hand the number of times we had to request maintenance support from the university. I'm interested to see where the drain is coming from." Tilling said that finding alternative housing has been difficult because the fraternity needs a physical space for members to meet. "We need a place where our members can go and feel as though they have a home away from home," Tilling said. "So, if we can't secure a property, it will negatively impact our organization and dozens of women and non-binary folks." As an alternative to the houses the fraternities and sororities are currently renting, the university has suggested group accommodations within the university's residence system. However, Tilling said these options are not currently viable. "All of our different organizations have separate houses, and so to lump us all into a residence hall feels sort of dismissive," she said. "I think it would be a challenge for us to distinguish our organizations from one another and to maintain a unique group identity that make our community so special." Logan West, the vice-president student life at the University of Alberta Students' Union, said that the affected organizations were not consulted prior to the announcement of the decision. West said that responses from the groups have been varied. While some are in a better position because of their alumni networks, others have decided to shut down their chapters entirely or terminate their leases early. Both Tilling and West said that it's unclear what will happen to the houses once the fraternities and sororities move out. The university said in its statement that "no decisions have yet been made about the future of the houses." West said that the removal of these spaces will have a negative impact on the larger university community because of the role Greek organizations play on campus. "Greek life provides students with a really unique experience as it allocates an exclusive third space to them in a time where these spaces continue to diminish for young people." West said the organizations have been a part of campus life for years. "I think a lot of these houses have a history. If you've ever been in some of these houses, you can see all the alumni faces on the walls," West said. "It is definitely unfortunate, I would say. The groups have expressed that history is and that emotional attachment to those spaces is one of the hardest parts of dealing with this situation." Thaddeus Ma is the president of the interfraternal council and a general member of Pi Kappa Alpha. He told CBC News that the news blindsided his fraternity. "It was quite shocking, being that it was just an email dropped in our lap," Ma said. "There was no signs or anything like that to prepare us for this." Ma said that the news has brought the Greek organizations on campus closer together, even those not directly impacted. "Right now, it's a very stressful time for everyone because this affects operations, not just for seven of us, but the community as a whole," Ma said. "We all play our own part in the community and we do support each other. "I think we will get out of this. We will get out of this whole situation, but it will be a very stressful time for us."
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
What's the best Greek life college in MS? Niche ranks colleges, universities across US
Looking for a university with great frat life? Niche used student feedback to determine the best Greek life colleges in the U.S. Lots of students pledge to a fraternity or sorority to find friends. The sense of camaraderie can make college more fun, and it gives changes to interact with the community while having a busy social calendar. On that front, one Mississippi university rises above the rest, ranking among the Top 5 in the nation. The University of Mississippi took the top honor in the state for having the best Greek Life and is No. 4 in the country. Niche gave the school an A+ for its party scene. It also ranked as the best 4-year school in the state, earning an A overall. The acceptance rate is 98%, and the net price is approximately $14,946, which is lower than the national average of $15,523. The average total aid at Ole Miss is $13,070, which is well over the national average of $7,535. Approximately 85% of students receive some form of financial assistance. Based on student reviews, Ole Miss also ranks: No. 8 in the nation for best college campus out of 1,373. No. 13 in the U.S. for top party schools. No. 40 for best college athletics. Here's how Niche ranked the best Greek life colleges in Mississippi for 2025: University of Mississippi. Jackson State University. Alcorn State University. Mississippi State University. University of Southern Mississippi. College town dining scene: See the Mississippi gas station that makes chicken on a stick a work of art Here's how Niche ranked the best Greek life colleges in the U.S. for 2025: Florida State Univerisity. The University of Alabama. Tulane Univeristy. University of Mississippi. University of Georgia. University of Wisconsin-Madison. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Syracuse University. Penn State. Florida A&M University. Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@ This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Niche ranks one Mississippi university as No. 4 for Greek life in US
