FSL: Is it really worth it?

GAGANDEEP KAUR
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

MELANIE MATUSEK
STAFF WRITER

10/6/2025

Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) on Alma’s campus consists of three local and seven national chapters. 27% of students on campus are part of one of these chapters. 

As a freshman, I wondered if joining was worth it, especially with how much change was happening in my life. After speaking to members currently in FSL, it gave me my answer. I found it intimidating at first but learning about the community throughout feels so welcoming. Some members shared similar thoughts. 

“When I was a freshman I only heard bad things about fraternities, but I came to Alma College and met the brothers of Sigma Chi and they made me feel welcomed and that we have a lot of the same interests,” said Logan Hunter (‘28), a current member of Sigma Chi. 

The closeness of all the chapters has been referred to as “family” by many, making myself more eager to learn more and possibly rush next year. 

“I got to know all the siblings and built close connections with them, and now they are my second family,” said Alyssa Burger (‘27), who is the current President of Phi Sigma Sigma. 

“I’d recommend FSL to anyone looking for an extra activity, extra friend, or extra family,” said Ashley White (‘28), a current member of Kappa Iota. 

Not only does it seem to provide such a close-knit community but also provides opportunities for leadership positions and helping the Alma community. This includes taking on executive board positions or working in a department of your chapter and supporting the chapter’s philanthropy where one spreads awareness of a specific issue or fundraises for an organization. 

“I really enjoy how much it pushes me out of my comfort zone, as I think of myself as more of an introvert,” said Petronella Wilson (‘28), another current member of Kappa Iota.  

This semester, I was offered an open bid, but it still scares me a little, especially because I am more introverted. However, as I get comfortable on campus, and learn about the chapter’s philanthropy and closeness throughout this recruitment season, joining next semester is something I can see myself doing. 

JAMIE DIEDRICH
LAYOUT EDITOR

I would not consider joining fraternity and sorority life worth it. The student’s quality of life, because let’s be honest FSL is something that encompasses one’s life, is entirely dependent on if you get the right fit.

Any potential new member gets three rounds to get to know each sorority throughout recruitment, which is not nearly enough to determine which sorority is best for them. This is assuming the potential new member’s feelings aren’t hurt early on when they are dropped by the sororities/fraternities they wanted to join.

If a potential new member does get into the fraternity or sorority they want, the amount of F.O.M.O that can be caused by inner sorority relationships would be harmful to anyone, nevertheless someone just joining an unfamiliar group hoping to be a part of those already established friendships.

Fraternity and sorority life also portrays itself in a polished manor that is blatantly “smoke and mirrors” depending on the organization. The new member could think they’re joining a prestigious organization and experience an evironment opposite of that behind closed doors.

Every member of FSL will tell you activities are based around consent and volunteer participation but when everyone is doing something, say pregaming in excess, and the member is new and will want to appeal to them, it’s unfair to imply peer pressure will not occur.

There’s a massive potential for hurt, whether it’s never being understood by your chapter siblings, not being in the sorority you wanted in the first place, being exposed to alcohol or marijuana products, etc. Students can spare themselves that and have just as much fun in orgs that carry far less weight and are far safer than FSL.