I have never heard of sororities or fraternities until I entered RIT and that is when I learned all about Greek Life... As being a first year student at RIT, I had no interest in joining a sorority since it didn't appeal to me as I was managing to survive the freshman year. Until my spring quarter of my first year, I decided to go to both deaf sororities rush weeks and decided that I needed to join a group to help me become more involved with the community. I felt that a sorority would be the best way for me to get involved with the community and meet more diverse people that come together to accomplish a goal.
I could have joined NSC (NTID Student Congress) or other organizations to achieve and improve NTID community, however I knew that each year there would be a different group with different philospohy to approach the year. I wanted to be in a group that cherish the same values and beliefs that we will always teach every new member. That is when I decided to join Alpha Sigma Theta and it was one of the best best experience of my college life. I met so many cherished sisters who will be there for me through ups and downs while focusing on displaying our sorority throughout the NTID community.
I defintely disagree with the idea that fraternities and sororites are to just "buy your brothers or sisters" Our member dues $$ are spent on the entire group not just individually. We also use our member fees to donate to a lot of charities and organziations. For instance, AST sponsored a women deaf basketball player to go to a basketball camp, we gave money to ST.Jude for children who had cancer, and the list goes on. I do understand that sororities and fraternities are not for everyone. However, that doesn't mean you are entitled to bash negatively about the greek organizations.