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TCU 360

TCU 360

All TCU. All the time.

TCU 360

Students discuss religious topics in a small group. (Photo courtesy of tcuwesley.org)
Wednesday nights at TCU’s Methodist campus ministry provide religious exploration and fellowship
By Boots Giblin, Staff Writer
Published Mar 27, 2024
Students at the Wesley said they found community on Wednesday nights.

Going Greek not essential

Going Greek not essential

Entering a college or university for the first time can be intimidating and tough, regardless of whether you are a freshman or transfer student.Freshmen and transfer students are faced with a difficult social situation when they are accepted into a new school. They want and need to make friends – fast.

Greek life is almost always the first option new students take. Male or female, it makes no difference, anyone can participate in recruitment. Greek life allows you to be involved and also to find your niche on campus. For some, it is the best option, but for others, it just doesn’t feel right.

I believe that TCU makes Greek life an option, not a necessity. Students from all walks of life come here to study and learn and there is an organization for everyone.

I did not affiliate with my sorority here at TCU, despite being Greek at my first university before transferring. I feel qualified to say that Greek life is fun, but it’s not for everyone.

Often times students feel pressured to participate in recruitment because they don’t know what else is out there for them. On the other hand, some students do not go through recruitment and then regret the decision tremendously.

TCU offers a variety of social organizations that allow students to mingle and make friends. Each group has different rules and guidelines for how much time is expected to be committed by new members, but it is never so much that you can’t continue to put school first.

For many students, keeping God as their focus is the most important part of their lives, and for them, there are many options including Eta Iota Sigma (HIS) and Beta Upsilon Chi (BYX). These are the two Christian groups, the first for girls and the other for guys. They meet once a week and require little more than attending church regularly to be a member.

Other students want something service-oriented, for which there are events such as LEAPS and groups such as Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity that focuses on leadership and service.

There are also honorary sororities and fraternities that recognize students for academic achievement that also help tutor students who are struggling in their classes.

At TCU, students need to be aware that the majority of students are not Greek, and that there are other options to make friends if they do not feel compelled to go through recruitment.

Students at TCU take that for granted. At some universities, including the one I came from, it is almost mandatory to be Greek if you want to have any friends and be noticed by anyone. You are judged by your letters, not your spirit and personality.

It is a great asset to TCU to have fostered a community-feeling atmosphere for its students. Greek and non-Greek students alike are friends and can associate with one another without fear of being seen. Believe it or not, some schools can’t say that.

If you are a freshman or transfer student and did not go through recruitment this past semester, know that there are still social options for you. Access tcu.edu, search social organizations and find the place where you’ll thrive.

Everyone has their own way of being social and making friends. Don’t succumb to what you think everyone else is doing. I guarantee you can find your home on campus because TCU offers a place for everyone.

Marissa Warms is a senior advertising/public relations major from Irving. Her column appears Fridays.

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