By Shane Nelson
DAILY BRUIN CONTRIBUTOR
[email protected]
 NICOLE MILLER/Daily Bruin Staff
Phi Kappa Psi presented over 600 books to the Children’s
Health Clinic at UCLA Medical Center on June 4.
Though UCLA is one of the largest public universities in the
nation, there are a wide variety of niches that make it smaller
““ some students find their home in Greek life.
Currently there are 47 Greek organizations that represent 12
percent of the undergraduate student population, according to the
Center for Student Programming and Fraternity & Sorority
Relations.
Most are gendered organizations ““ the 18 fraternities
located west of campus near Gayley Avenue and the 11 sororities
located on the east side of campus on Hilgard Avenue ““ with a
focus on social networking and philanthropy.
But there are also many others that cater to specific interests
such as business, pre-medical studies, community service, ethnic
affiliation and age.
One such organization is Alpha Gamma Epsilon, the only coed
“sorofrat” catering to non-traditional students, 25
years and older.
Membership in the sorofrat helps people to adjust to life after
a break in schooling, said 2001-’02 President Olivia
Naturman, who just graduated with degree in history.
Greek life can offer a variety of advantages, such as a social
support network to help make adjustment to college life easier,
fraternity and sorority members say.
After leaving family at home, students can join a new one at
school, said fifth-year international economics student Vic Wasu,
the social chair of Delta Phi Beta, a young coed fraternity with
mostly South Asian members.
“Your brothers and sisters are there for you for anything.
If you need a ride, emotional stuff, whatever,” he said.
Then there is the widely-renowned trademark of Greek
socializing.
“Frats do a good job of having parties,” said Jen
Stuart, who recently graduated with a degree in history.
Students need socialization, and since Westwood has really
cracked down on entertainment, with few bands and dancing,
fraternities provide the opportunity to meet people and have an
outlet, she said.
Greek life can be expensive, though. Joining can cost more than
a quarter’s student fees for off-campus members, but students
can usually opt to live in their Greek house during their second
year. Since membership fees are included with room and board costs,
it can be cheaper than living in the dorms or in an apartment in
Westwood.
Many students feel the cost is justified.
“You pay a lot of money, but it’s for barbecues,
formals and other organized activities,” said Samuel Lau, a
Omega Sigma Tau fraternity member and recent graduate in
economics.
Regardless, Greek life is not for everyone.
Stuart pledged a sorority during her first year at UCLA, but
decided not to stay on.
“Once you join you negate any other individuality you may
have,” she said, adding that members unwittingly take on the
reputation of their sorority.
But members said a bad Greek experience could be due to a person
being incompatible with a particular house.
“If people aren’t happy with Greek life, then they
didn’t find the right house,” said Kathy Gallagher,
Alpha Phi sorority member and fourth-year psychology student.
She added that at Alpha Phi there is no pressure to conform to
everyone else in the house.
“It is very diverse with a million different
personalities,” she added.
For students thinking about rushing Greek organizations, she
suggested students listen to their instincts.
“You know yourself better than your new dorm floor friends
do,” she said. “If you really want to be in one, there
is one at UCLA for you.”
For more information visit the UCLA Fraternity & Sorority
Relations Web site at www.greeklife.ucla.edu or for links to
specific organizations Web sites visit
www.studentgroups.ucla.edu.