A Word of Advice: Do Not Rush

To anyone considering rushing a fraternity or sorority,

I am a recent alum that served on the e-board of one of the big three fraternities. I’m here to tell you; no matter what kind of peer pressure you might be feeling, do not rush.

Speaking from my time in the real world, I can assure you that your Greek letters mean absolutely nothing once you graduate. Even with regard to networking it doesn’t help much, if at all. You’re better off networking with successful people regardless of their affiliation.

Colgate has its problems, but a significant majority of them are directly attributable to the Greek system and the systemic harms it perpetrates. Is it worth it to pay thousands of dollars to a national organization that wants nothing more than your money, all so you can maintain a false sense of security and superiority? Is it worth it, after everything we’ve been through with the pandemic and the reckoning over systemic racism, to continue to perpetuate the harms that Greek organizations are directly responsible for?

I’ve been out of Colgate for some time and with every alumni I’ve spoken to, they regret their Greek experiences. It might not feel that way, but all it takes to rectify this is to simply not rush and listen to some predatory national organization that has no vested interest in your well-being or safety.

Do yourself a favor and don’t put up with it anymore.